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CheckOut.com and Talk City, welcome you to today's chat with Harry Connick Jr. Harry is an accomplished musician, composer, performer and actor. His thirteenth album "Come By Me" is a seamless collection of standards and originals, and features his reunited 16-piece Big Band. . Harry is currently on a national tour promoting the album and is featured as one of the lead male voices in the recently released animated video "Iron Giant." Send in your questions for Harry about his busy career. . . Please welcome Mr. Harry Connick, Jr! . Harry, welcome to CheckOut.com and Talk City. Thank you for being with us tonight! . . |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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. . Great to be here! * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Danielle395 says: Harry- You are a bridge for a younger generation to a whole new world of music. You definitly opened my eyes. Do you appreciate younger fans at your concerts? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I love all my fans, and it's especially thrilling to see younger people coming because it makes me feel the music has a future. * |
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aliceru says: Is it hard not living in New Orleans anymore? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I love living in New York, but I really do miss New Orleans. I miss my family and the people, the music, the food.... but I get home a lot,. so it's not too bad. * |
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rrlangel says: Has anyone every compared your singing style to that of Frank Sinatra? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I get compared to Frank Sinatra a lot, and I always take it as a compliment, even though I think we're going in different directions. I think of him as the greatest singer of American Popular music of all time. * |
AskHarry |
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aliceru879 says: Are there any rituals (superstitions) that you do before you perform? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I used to take a nap before I perform but I've been so busy writing new music lately that I just go from writing to the stage, so there isn't really anythng in particular that I do. * |
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BlueLightRedLight says: Harry, I LOVE your lyrics. They're so original. Do the images (Like "lukewarm coldwater flat") just come to you, or do you have to work at them? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I didn't write those lyrics, but I did write the music. When I do write lyrics, images usually come to me and that's the exciting part of being an artist - you can spend so much of your time daydreaming and coming up with new ideas. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Chris says: There are many of us who would like to see you in England but will have to go to Paris to see you. Are you planning on touring the UK soon? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I'll be in the UK I think in March or April. You can find out the tour dates at my website, which is connick.com. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Aaron_Elya says: I know that you rmajor influences growing up were James Booker and other New Orleans greats...who are some of your favorite or inspirational "modern" artists? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I like Wynton Marsalis, and to be honest, my favorite musicians are the ones in my band. Every night they play things and think of things that blow me away. * |
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CO-Brian says: Harry, your style switches from album to album. Which do you like best, Big band jazz, or small band jazz-funk? |
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Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I like all the kinds of music that I play. Right now, I'm having a great time with the big band because it's the most complicated of the musical styles I play. But I like playing funk music too. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Chris says: Which do you prefer more, acting or singing? Why? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I prefer working :-) I love 'em both! They're both ways to be creative, but they're both very different, even though there are some similarities. They span a broad range of your artistic abilities, so it's very satisfying to be able to do both. * |
AskHarry |
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RaggetyAnn-guest says: What is your favorite track on your new album Come By Me? and Why? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Maybe Time After Time, because I love the clarinet and bass clarinet, so that's why I wrote a feature for those instruments. I also like Easy For You To Say because of my sax player Ned Goold. The songs I like are usually different than the ones other people like. * |
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AskHarry |
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CO-sarah says: What do you have to say to critics that say you do too much of everything and not enough of one thing to improve and fine tune your skills? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I think I'm doing what I was trained to do, and I spend all of my time on my art which includes playing, singing, writing, and arranging. Where I'm from, musicians are supposed to be able to do all of those things. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do. * |
AskHarry |
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Slurper says: What advice can you give to people who have ambitions to start their own musical career? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I think if you really want a musical career, you don't need any advice because you'll make a way for yourself. That's if you want it badly enough. Advice seekers are usually not performers. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Chris says: What gives you the inspiration for your songs? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I don't believe in inspiration. I think artists are supposed to be able to use their imagination at a moment's notice and be intuitive and creative without the help of an external source. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Aaron_Elya says: What are your likes and dislikes about touring? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I love performing every night. That to me is the greatest gift. I hate being away from my family, but fortunately I'm able to balance touring and my private life. * |
AskHarry |
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Slurper says: How has your new album "Come By Me" differed from your previous albums? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I think I'm stronger now as a singer and piano player and arranger. This album is not a great event in my life - it's just a signpost on my developmental road. * |
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CO-Ashley says: Howdy Harry! My name is Ashley, and I'm from North Carolina and I had the pleasure of going to your concert this summer, I thought it was awesome, and I adored it! I gave you a rose and you held my hand when you sang "Cry Me A River" and that was a huge thrill because when I bought the album I loved that song! Do you have any memorable fan exeriences? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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First of all, I haven't washed my hand since! LOL One time a girl came to my show but didn't have a ticket, so she tried to climb the fence outside of the venue. When she got to the top, the police came and startled her and she fell off the fence but left one of her fingers up there. * |
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Sigmagirl says: I loved you in your role as Darryl Lee Cullom in the movie "Copycat". It seemed a real deviation for you to play the bad guy.. and I read that the makers of the movie had trouble envisioning you in that role. What did you do to prepare yourself for the role, and how do you think the role helped/hurt you? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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It helped me a great deal because it showed potential directors something they hadn't seen before. But when I met with the director John Amiel, he wanted me right away without even hearing me read the part. I still don't know what I did in that meeting to impress him in that perverse way ;-) but I gladly took the role anyway. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Chris says: Have you discovered a way of singing and conducting at the same time yet? Does the fact that you separate the various strands of your music add or take anything away from the final product? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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That's the best question I've heard in a long time! For those people who don't know, I'm unable to conduct the orchestra and sing at the same time to achieve the ideal live effect. So everything is live, and then I add the vocals after which I hate doing because it takes away from the sponanaity. I haven't figured it out yet, but I think it will involve computers and touch screens in some way. * |
AskHarry |
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Slurper says: When you visit countries to perform your music, do you ever get any spare time to sight-see, and if so what's been your most favorite country? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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The United States is my favorite place to play because it's home, but second to that would have to be either France of Australia. On second thought, Japan and the UK are pretty cool too :-) * |
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Kat says: Harry, my daughter Lisa wants to know when you will be coming back to San Francisco Bay area? (and yes, she knows you were just here... she wants to save up for the next one |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Then again, I like them all the same. Kat, I'm not sure, but we usually go to these cities about once a year. * |
AskHarry |
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Slurper says: What do you prefer between acting and performing music? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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The information will be at connick.com. You can email my office for questions at connickhjr.com * Sorry, that email is connickhjr@aol.com. * |
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bozdaddy says: Do you plan to continue your acting career or do you plan on concentrating more on your music? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Right now, I"m touring with my big band but there are two movies to be released some time next year. One is called Wayward Son and the other is Simian Line. I'll probably jump back and forth between the two as long as I can. * |
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CO-Cindy says: When is your next movie coming out? And what is it called? CO-Elizabeth says: Harry, is there any news on the possible release of the long awaited 30 album and if so, when can we expect it and why did you wait to release it? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I was thinking about my 30 album yesterday, and they tell me it will be out in a couple of months. Since I'm already 32. I do an album every five years in the same way - when I was 20 I did solo piano, and the 25 and 30 albums were also solo piano. 30's not out yet, but it will be. * |
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CO-Aaron_Elya says: What made you decide to go back to the big band sound after the funk stint? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I missed the guys in my band, and I missed the music. I'm sure I'll play more funk music at some point, but not any time soon. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Aaron_Elya says: Do you find writing lyrics or music more rewarding? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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The music is much more romantic, because you can interpret it in so many different ways No matter how metaphoric a lyric is, there's still words with definitions. It's a great challenge to try to paint an abstract picture with the same words that we've used for the past hundreds of years. The lyrics come first generally when I'm writing. * |
AskHarry |
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EZGuest381 says: Someone said they heard you singing Silver Bells and fell in love with your music, is there any christmas album that has you singing that song? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I've never recorded that song. It was probably on a TV special, but I thought I looked really goofy on that TV show. So I tried to forget about it :-) * |
AskHarry |
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SingingSiren says: When you are driving in your car, what kind of music do you listen to, or what artists do you enjoy, besides big band and jazz funk? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Siren, do you want the honest answer or the online answer? LOLOL The online chat answer is all of my musical heroes, top-40 radio, etc. The honest answer is nothing. I don't listen to any music at home or in the car. All I do is think about my art all the time, and other peoples' music, as great as it is, gets in the way. * |
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CO-Gretchen658 says: HAve you considered compiling some of your music videos onto a DVD or VCR tape format? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I'd love to compile some things on a DVD, but that's the job of my record company. * |
AskHarry |
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Kellie says: Who has influenced you most in your life, both personally and professionally? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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My father, my mother, and my wife. * |
AskHarry |
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longnoodles says: Any concerts in Ontario, Canada? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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My father in law is Canadian, and I love playing in Canada. I just don't know when I'm there next. * |
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raeganh says: did ya finish your Christmas shopping yet?:-) |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I started early this year.... but when you start too early, you start buying more than one gift for the same person because you forget that you bought it a month ago. So ten percent of the people I know and love are going to get bombarded with multiple gifts. And the other ninety percent will spend the New Year discussing how rude I am :-) * |
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CO-Nicky says: does Harry remember spotted dick? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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:laughing:: I remember it well, and it's become one of the funniest memories I have. Spotted dick is a sort of British dessert and when I first saw it on the menu in England, I thought I had mistakenly walked into a different type of house... or a clinic! I absolutely ordered it! And spotted dick has become a big part of my life. * |
AskHarry |
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EZGuest38592973 says: do you endorse the biograpjy wild about harry? is it accurate? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I've seen the biography, and it looked like a great piece of work. I'm just happy that the woman who wrote it took a liking to me. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Megan says: Harry, I wake up to your music every morning and fall asleep to it. I Love It! What is your favorite type of music to hear when you want to unwind? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I love just being quiet when I want to unwind. * |
AskHarry |
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val-guest says: How did you get your big band together? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Most of the people in my big band are old friends, but a lot of them are guys I met from recommendations. They've all become very important people in my life. There are 16 in the band, 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, bass and drums. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Sophia says: If you weren't able to do music or acting, what would you do as a career? |
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Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I guess I would probably teach music, but I don't think any university would have me! They wouldn't have me as a student either! * |
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Menee says: Hey Harry... My friend and I are heading down to New Orleans for Spring Break next year, and we were just wondering if you could recommend a great place to eat. |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Depending on how much money you have, there are a lot of great restaurants in New Orleans. The top end would be Brennan's or Commander's Palace. The inexpensive end would be Mandina's, the New Orleans Praline Connection, or Mother's. Among many others. * |
AskHarry |
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guest-SharonNYC says: I'll see you at Radio City on the 18th. Would you like a personal tour of the NYSE Trading Floor, while you're in New York? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I'd love to, but I don't think I'll have the time ;-) * |
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CO-Ellen says: Harry, we want to say hi from Amsterdam (Vanessa, Jan, Evelien, Ineke and Ellen). We are thrilled that you're coming our way!! |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I love going to Amsterdam. I was playing around with some of my band members there, one night on the street, and one of them grabbed my hand and my wedding ring came off my finger and rolled down the street about an inch away from a drain in front of a place that I wouldn't have been proud to be seen walking past. Fortunately, I recovered the ring, and got out of there fast! * |
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CO-Aaron_Elya says: Hey Harry! I'm going to take authority and say that I'm your biggest fan. I just want to know what's in your cd player right now? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Whatever my wife wants is in the CD player! The music is like everything else in my house - whatever she says, goes. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-ah1 says: All the musicians in your band are so talented-how did you hook up w/ them? It seems as if some of them have been w/ you forever. |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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A lot of them I met in New Orleans when I was young and some, like my bass player Ben, I met in New York when I was 18. Some I met as recently as my Come By Me album * |
AskHarry |
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CO-MK9 says: Mr. Connick Jr., what is your favorite album and why? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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If I had to pick one album, I would have to pick the Louis Armstrong Silver Collection. It's the perfect example of art getting as close to perfection as humanly possible. * |
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AskHarry |
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CO-lissa2000 says: Are you coming out with a "30" album? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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30 will be out in a couple of months. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Aaron_Elya says: Are there any plans for a greatest hits "box set" type thing for the future? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I'd have to have at least one hit to have a Greatest Hits album! But if you look at the top-40 charts, there's not a lot of hits which doesn't bother me, it's just I don't think I have enough big numbers to fill an album of that type. * |
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CO-Angel says: You were great in IRON GIANT. How did you like being a voice in an animated movie? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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It was great to see Iron Giant in its finished form, but man, was it tedious!!!! Doing that voice.... I have a lot of respect in the world of animation. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Greg says: with y2k around the corner, who do you rate as some of the greats (music-wise) of the last century? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Sorry, I have a lot of respect for the folks in animation. Greg, I think we have to wait until Jan.1 of next year to compile the greats of this century, since we still have a year to go! * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Chris says: What made you slow down 'There's No Business like Showbusiness'? It really works too! |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Thanks for the compliment! That's one of the great melodies that I know, and also one of the great lyrics. I thought I would give it the respect it deserves, and slow it down. * |
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CO-Booker says: Harry, whats your favorite James Booker tune that has been recorded? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Of course, there are classics like On the Sunny Side of the Street and Jungle Partner, but my favorite would have to be Black Night. Junko Partner. * |
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CO-toadie478 says: If you could do a duet with anyone, who would it be? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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The people I would like to do duets with are so great, I think I would be intimidated to be around them. But one person that you probably wouldn't imagine me singing with would be Freddy Mercury. I'd be intimidated by Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Billie Holliday, Dick Haymes, Frank Sinatra... there's no way I could perform around those people. * |
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CO-ah1 says: Is is diffucult to arrange music for instruments that you can't play? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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That's a great question! A long time ago, I decided to learn to play as many instruments as I could, not to be a virtuoso, but just to have a working knowledge of them. That knowledge helps in many ways, but it also hurts, because it makes you write with your limitations in mind. For example, I took violin lessons about one year ago so I could become more familiar with the fingerings. I wish I never did, because now I assume that if I can't play it, they can't play it. And since I can't even play Twinkle Twinkle, that makes for pretty lame writing :-) * |
AskHarry |
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Teri says: What all DO you play? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I play saxophone, trumpet, bass, drums, guitar, but please know that I'm quite poor on all those instruments. The only one I have a full command of is the piano. * |
AskHarry |
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Jo says: What has been the best part of being a musician... what has been the hardest |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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And I look really stupid playing most of those instruments! Jo, the best part of being a musician is reaping the rewards of hard work and practice. The hardest part has been hard work and practice LOL I still practice now, not playing scales or anything, because I"m playing every night. Practice at this point for me is to work on things you don't know how to do, and I usually save that for the stage. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Chris says: Do you think there could ever be a time when you feel that you want or have to pack it all in? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Gosh I hope not! * The only thing I want to pack in is food! And I mean all of it! * |
AskHarry |
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CO-kathleen says: how do you feel about how fast your concerts are selling out? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I'm honored that people are enthusiastic about seeing me play. that's the greatest gift anyone could give me - a room full of people. When I see that, I can guarantee you now you'll never see someone work that hard on stage to say thank you. * |
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AskHarry |
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CO-ah1 says: Have you thought about recording and releasing your concerts? Or about making another video? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I'd love to make a live CD, but they keep telling me that they don't sell well. As far as videos, to be honest, nobody watches them, they don't get played that much, and I really don't enjoy watching them. * sorry, making them. * |
AskHarry |
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Gary ways: You seem to enjoy acting... is there a part or character that you would like a chance to play... ANY one... ? CO-Brian says: You mentioned earlier that you didn't write some of your lyrics. Is there one person who writes (like an Elton John/ Bernie Taupin team), or do you use lyrics from many people? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Brian, I write all of my own lyrics. I used to write with someone, but that was a long time ago. * Gary, the characters don't matter. what matters is the quality of the writing. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-jt says: If you could ask for one thing in the world to happen, what would it be? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Too profound to put into words. And I wouldn't ask, because if the recipient of the question could really make it come true, I wouldn't disrespect that person with a question about myself. I'd give it all up and go carry their luggage. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-prizegirl says: Who is your favorite pianist? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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Jazz pianist would be a three -way tie - Duke Ellington, Errol Garner, and Art Tatum. * |
AskHarry |
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CO-Angel says: Where do you see your music taking you over the next 5 years? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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If I knew, I'd be playing that music right now :-) * |
AskHarry |
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CheckOut says: Harry, it looks like we are about out of time. Is there something you would like to say to our audience before we sign off for the evening? |
Harry_Connick_Jr |
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I'm so impressed that everyone logged on for this chat. I hope we can do it agian, and thanks for being such an important part of my life. * |
CheckOut |
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Thank you Harry, for joining CheckOut.com and Talk City to discuss your successful career! . A big Thank You! to our audience for being with us tonight. Before you leave, don't forget to buy a copy of all of Harry Connick, Jr's music and movies. . And don't forget to enter at http://www.CheckOut.com for a chance to win a grand prize trip to New York City to see Harry and the Big Band perform at Radio City Music Hall on January 13th, 2000. . . CheckOut.com is your online connection to the worlds of of music, movies and games. They offer a completely personalized experience along with the best chats, streaming music, video and up-to-date charts and reviews. . Be sure to CheckOut the latest Music, Movie and Games at http://www.CheckOut.com !! We're sure that you will find something new each time you visit, so be sure to 'CheckOut' what they have in store for you! . . This event was produced in conjunction with CheckOut.com and Talk City, Inc. |
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