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Elly Roberts reviews
Columbia (Sony Music)
- Cat.no: 5147852
- Released: November 2004
- Rating: 2/10
Twelve years ago I went to see Harry Connick Jr in concert at the CarlingApollo in Manchester.
Principally, because I love the big band sound. Connick has released some superbJazz-Swing albums in his time.
In concert he is band leader, pianist, drummer, song and danceman. He was simplysensational. However, this release doesnt work. Doing a covers album is fineby me, and four originals, (he had a crack at one in 1993 – When My HeartFinds Christmas) but this one smacks of over working the standards.
Typically, the production is meticulous; its the arrangements that let it down.You get that feeling straight from the start with an over zealous Frosty TheSnowman as it bounces along in an haphazard way. He does an ample job ofkilling some great songs, in particular, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town(who can forget Bruce Springsteens definitive version), George Bensons NatureBoy, with Little Town Of Bethlehem being a total disaster. Unusuallyfor me, I find it very grating, and the Crimbo feel-good factor is virtuallymissing.
Ones that do work are: ballads Blue Christmas, and Ill Be Home ForChristmas. Only standout track is Im Gonna Be The First One.
Ill-conceived and badly-executed by one of the best in the business.
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Frosty The Snowman
2. Blue Christmas
3. The Christmas Waltz
4. I Wonder As I Wonder
5. Silver Bells
6. Mary Little Boy Child
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
8. The Happy Elf9. Ill Be Home For Christmas
10. I Come With Love
11. Nature Boy
12. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
13. Im Gonna Be The First One
14. This Christmas
15. Nothin New For The New Year
16. Silent NightMore info atHarry Connick Jr.com
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.