Last week we received an early copy of Other Hours, singer-pianist Harry Connick Jr.’s first album as a leader for the Marsalis Music label. We’re still listening to it this week, which is remarkable considering all the CDs we get and all the listening we do. Mostly we keep playing the record because Connick doesn’t sing on it. That’s not to say that we don’t like his voice. We’re simply huge fans of novelty, and a disc on which Connick keeps his trap shut is novelty for sure.
The disc’s case bears the subtitle “Connick on Piano, Vol. 1,” which leads us to believe that more discs of Harry Jr. sans vox are on the way from the fledgling label, started by saxophonist Branford Marsalis in February of last year. It’s not a solo flight, however. Connick plays on the disc with a talented and exciting group comprised of tenor saxophonist Charles “Ned” Goold, bassist Neal Caine and drummer Arthur Latin III.
Other Hours will be released July 15. Most online retailers are taking pre-orders right now. Here’s a track list, each one’s a Connick original:
What a Waste
Such Love
Take Advantage
How About Tonight
Sovereign Lover
My Little World
Oh My Dear
Can’t We Tell
Dumb Luck
Oh! Ain’t That Sweet
The Other Hours
Your Own Private Love
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