Los Angeles, CA
December 3, 1997
Review #1
submitted by Sarah Lucky
This is the review, from the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. Well,
first of all Sandra Bullock was there, two rows in front of me. I guess
she was there to support him, but no one really noticed her. I mean how
could you when Harry is on stage. The stage was lit up with blue and
purple lights, very jazzy. The bass player, the drummer, and Harry came
out first. The crowd went wild, as they should. Harry was wearing a
bluish-purplish suit with purple stripes, and a purple shirt and tie.
He looked pretty good. The orchestra was behind him, covered by a see-through
curtain. Harry started to sing "Let's Just Kiss". I was in the
third row, and it was unbelievable. In the middle of the song, Harry had a
piano solo. Which, everyone who is a fan should know, is a real treat
to hear him jam on piano. Especially if it is live. Next Harry sang
"Once" and during that they had solos of saxophone, bass, piano, and
drums. I didn't catch all of the performers' names, because people were
yelling, but they were all terrific. Not that I blame them for yelling,
because I was doing it also. Anyway, then they played "Let Me Love
Tonight". Of course Harry had another piano solo. God is he great!
Then Leroy Jones came out to do a trumpet solo and to join Harry in "We
Are in Love". Leroy Jones then played and sang "What a Wonderful
World", which Louis Armstrong sang in "Good Morning Vietnam". Leroy
Jones is an unbelievable trumpeter. Then the trombone player, who was
so funny, played "Life Would Be Complete", and he also sang on that
song. Harry was playing behind both of them on their songs. Next they
had a complete jazz solo with everyone. They played a very jazzed-up
version of "Chattanooga Choo Choo". The next part was my favorite. When
he stops and talks to everyone. He talked about his players, and how he
met them, and then he talked about some of his experiences playing in
clubs. After that the other guys came out to play an old New Orleans
favorite "Lime House Blues". Next he had a fabulous jazz piano solo.
His voice cracked when he started to sing, and he stopped and
said... "That was nice, you know I get paid for that." Then the group
sang "Loved By Me", another song from
To See You. And of course next
he sang "To See You". After that he sang "Learn To Love You", that is
one of my favorites on the cd. They closed with a bunch of jazz solos,
Leroy Jones on trumpet, trombone player, I can't remember his name, Dave
Schumacher on bass saxophone, and Charles Goold on alto saxophone, and
of course Harry on piano. They ended and left. Well the house couldn't
stop cheering, so he did an encore with "It Had To Be You".
The next part was the best of all. I waited outside to get his
autograph. I had a poster and two pictures signed. He is so cool about
signing autographs, he signed everyone who was in line. And believe me
it was a REALLY long line. I can't believe that I was standing right in
front of him. It was so weird. Anyways, he was in top form as always.
He is funny and extremley enjoyable to listen to. I can't wait for his
next concert. For all of those who are going to one of his concerts,
you will know what I am talking about. For those of you who aren't
going, I hope that this review helped make you feel like a part of it.
Review #2
submitted by Dia Nelson
I ask you, how can you go wrong at "an evening of romance with Harry Connick,
Jr.?" You just can't. Harry started the evening with "Let's Just Kiss", and
won the audience over right from the start. He did several songs from
To See
You, including "Let Me Love Tonight", "To See You", "Once", "Learn To Love", and the
infamous stalker song "Loved By Me". Halfway through he jazzed it up a bit with
"We Are In Love", "Chattanooga Choo-choo", and "Limelight" which was a
traditional New Orleans jazz tune. As always, Harry has no shortage of talent
sharing the stage with him. Joining Harry were Leroy Jones, Lucien Barbarin
to name just two. I have seen Harry five times with the funk band, and I was
thrilled to see him with a jazz quartet and and an orchestra. Harry never
disappoints his fans and always puts on a wonderful show. He shared a story
of the first time he played in L.A. at The Palace. He said he was playing in
a room off to the side with only six people watching, when he sees the waiter
walk across the stage with a tray of dishes. Fortunately for us, he has come
a long way. After "Limelight" the orchestra was supposed to join in again, but
Harry decided he wanted to go another way and stopped them. He talked to the
audience for a few minutes telling us how he wanted to play another song, but
he wasn't sure which one yet. He decided on a tune he has never played
before, but you could not tell. He started the into to the song and told the
audience he was just trying to find the right key to play in. After he found
the key he wanted he started talking to us again and had to start over. As he
started to sing, his voice cracked and he started laughing saying "Oh, that
sounds great" and he began singing off key to make fun of himself, before he
got back to business. Harry closed the show with "It Had To Be You". After the
show we waited outside for no more than ten minutes before Harry came out to
sign autographs for each and every person in line. We chatted for a few
minutes about our previous meetings and I was on my way, or so I thought. As
we were waiting for the valet to bring our car, we were given party passes.
After spending some time at the after-show party we left with a feeling only Harry
seems to give us. Every time I meet Harry, I walk away amazed at how kind he
is to each and every fan that approches him. I have more respect for Harry
each time I see him. He is definetly a performer not to miss. I am already
looking forward to next time. Thanks Harry!
