When My Heart Finds Christmas

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
New Orleans pianist, singer, and songwriter Harry Connick Jr. has done what many makers of Christmas records strive for but seldom achieve: he's made a Christmas record that sounds convincingly like a 1940s period piece and rigorously like a cool, contemporary jazz disc. His powerful, self-written Christmas songs sound like polished standards, and he delivers the whole package with a sassy, vocal economy (with the occasional New Orleans accent) and an orchestral richness that is never indulgent or overwhelming. When My Heart Finds Christmas is a true classic that no lover of big-band jazz and singing (in the Sinatra style)--and Christmas music--should be without. There are so many great moments here that singling any one out would be at the expense of the others. Still, the reverential, solo-piano intro to "Ave Maria", Connick's own "(It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus", (a rousing, second-line swing tune), and his triumphant "I Pray on Christmas" (a get-happy-now gospel song) deserve mention if only because they'll earn Connick extra credit in heaven and on Earth. --Martin Keller

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2006-06-03 rating:
Big band, big chorus, big sound.
A different sort of Christmas album, Harry Connick's CD features the big band sound, strong drums throughout, large choruses in many songs--and Harry Connick. With toe-tapping rhythms and a casual, relaxed attitude prevailing, Connick presents many swingy versions of traditional songs and a number of quiet, soft ballads, accompanied by strings and chorales. Subtlety is not part of the pattern here--the music is, for the most part, bold, celebratory, and full of spirit--with the drums setting the beat and emphasizing the rhythms. The romance of the ballads is emphasized by violins and female choruses.

Throughout the album, Connick sets the pattern of the songs in the first stanza, retaining that pattern throughout, restraining himself from offering improvisations or variations, which would be difficult, if not impossible, with his large orchestra and choral ensembles.

"When My Heart Finds Christmas" begins as a romantic song introduced by strings, and builds to a crescendo at the end, to the accompaniment of insistent drums. In "It Must Have Been Old Santa," upbeat, loud, and full of swing, Connick showcases the piano, with the drums sometimes competing with it. "The Little Drummer Boy" carries a big drum, and the treatment is louder and more assertive than usual.

"Ave Maria" begins as a solo piano, a pleasant change from the elaborate treatments of previous songs, with Connick singing at the midpoint, but Latin is not his "native language," and the passion one associates with this traditional music is missing in this track. "I Pray on Christmas," however, is a hand-clapping gospel song, a rousing performance, stirring for the listener. "What Are You Doing New Year's" offers wonderful sax variations, the only song on the CD in which jazz variations take place.

If you are a fan of big band music and large choruses, Connick's album is highly appealing--fun, relaxed, and filled with the power of strong drumbeats. Connick is one of the players here, less a soloist and more of a director.

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review by: date: 2003-10-10 rating:
Hmmm
I don't really know what to say about this. It does feature some examples of Connick at his best, but when all is said and done, it's just an album full of Christmas music.

I suspect it is worth having some Christmas music in your collection to play at the festive season and this is as good an exmaple as any, but due to the limited range of music, you would be hard pressed to view it as anything really worth spending time really listening to.

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review by: date: 2002-01-14 rating:
A breath of Fresh Xmas air, innovative yet traditional
What great find this was. Connick's vocal talent is perfectly showcased by the HUGE 'big band' sound and this just has to be played LOUD! Old favourites like Rudolph, Ave Maria and Sleighride are given a Connick twist and mix well with original compositions. Santa Claus is a real footstomper, The jazzy arrangement of The March Of The Wooden Soldiers is a delght and the warm and mushy When My Heart Find Christmas is great for a cold xmas night. I can still see those chestnuts and that open fire....excellent.

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review by: date: 2000-12-07 rating:
Really disappointing compared to HCJnr's other music.
This selection of Christmas music does little to get one in the Christmas spirit and rarely gets an airing - even at Christmas! It even put me off listening to my other (much-loved) HCJ CDs.


review by: date: 2000-11-24 rating:
for a swinging christmas try this
A very Christmas swing album that should put you in the Christmas mood whatever time of year it is. Some of the slower tracks loose their way a little but this still one of the best festive albums available. Plus this is priced at a very competitive price.

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