I had my first introduction to Harry years ago when watching the movie 'When Harry Met Sally'. No, our Harry Connick, Jr. was not the starring role, as the title may indicate. He did the wonderful soundtrack to that movie when he was the tender age of 20!! I never really knew who the musician was, and honestly, I never even paid attention. I was 15 years old and the only thing I walked away from that movie with was the restaurant scene where Meg Ryan faked the big "O". Years later I would be introduced to his work again, and would fall in love.
My great friend, Susan :), and I have the same love for that man, HCJ. While Sus and I seem to like different styles of his music, we are not at odds on Connick's great playing ability and both would tie his supermodel wife, Jill, to a chair in order to hide him in our closets and bring him out to play a baby grand at our whim. Face it, he would not get much time away from the piano ;)
Susan and I seem to like the same jazz and blues styles, love ballads and a little funk, too. Harry had the honor of sharing our attention while he slowly waltzed across the room to dance with Sandra Bullock in the big screen hit 'Hope Floats'. I think Susan hides some of her enthusiasm about Harry, but I know it is in there. One day we will make our treck together to see this magical man in concert (anywhere within a thousnd mile radius, right Susan?) and I know that I will have to pry her away from the stage when the concert is over!
Since I know we are not the only fans out there for Harry, I will just have to say that Susan and I are the BEST fans!
>UPDATESusan and I have had our wish come true! We flew to Buffalo, New York at the end of this June (1999)to see Harry play. I always knew we would one day, and the 'Come By Me' tour was the time to go! Harry was amazingly full of energy! I really delight in big band and enjoyed the skill of the musicians! I could not keep Susan in her seat, though I was not trying very hard.
Mr Connick, Jr. told a story on stage about how he ended up doing the 'When Harry Met Sally' soundtrack. He said that he was originally going to record one piece; but because of contractual agreements (or lack thereof) with other musicians, he was allowed the entire soundtrack. I think God was smiling down on him on this one :)
Was it worth flying over 2000 miles to see him? You bet it was! Thank you Harry!
