Oh, My Nola...
A few days before my birthday, Harry Connick Jr. was in town with his Big Band singing music from his two new albums Oh, My Nola and Chanson du Vieux Carré celebrating his home town of New Orleans, one of my favorite cities I have ever spent time in.



I had really been looking forward to seeing Harry again! He is by far one of my all time favorite musicians and performers. And the only way to see Harry is up close and personal, sitting in the orchestra pit where you are close enough to see and hear Harry tapping his foot in time to his piano playing, close enough to watch Harry’s hands playing rapid jazz piano rhythms and melodies, and close enough to feel the deep inflections of Harry’s voice like kisses on your skin when he sings.

I don’t believe you would have the same concert experience sitting back in the general audience as you do in the orchestra pit because Harry is so personable with those sitting close, engaging them in conversation, making jokes about waking up inside the Rabobank on his tour bus, laughing, dancing and shaking his bootie, and flashing those heart-melting dimples when he smiles. The people in the orchestra pit participate in the show whereas those in the general audience watch.

New Orleans music has its own sound and emotion that always takes me back to the times I’ve spent in that great city. Harry Connick Jr. and his Big Band play it like it was the only music that ever existed or mattered. They played from their hearts music from their childhoods, home town and legendary mentors along with original songs from Harry Connick Jr. Harry and all the members of his Big Band are extraordinary musicians and they showcased their talent as if they were having the time of their lives. You could just tell they all love what they do!

Although Harry began the show with one of my all time favorite songs: Come By Me, the show consisted mostly of music from his two new New Orleans albums featuring songs like: Working in a Coal Mine, Won’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey?, Oh, My Nola, Luscious, New Orleans, Bourban Street Parade, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and Do Dat Thing, which was a tribute to legendary New Orleans musicians, among other songs.

There were three moments in the show that really stood out for me and made it a night to remember…

The first was when Harry sang Let Them Talk. A ballad, Harry sang it like no other could with his deep romantic voice that melted my heart when he sang the words, “I want the whole wide world to know…that I, I really love you so.”



The second was when Harry left the grand piano at center stage to go play an old upright piano off to the side of the stage in a set that looked like a New Orleans club on Bourban Street. He played the most amazing and intricate piano solo song I have ever heard that brought the crowd to its feet. He effortlessly reminded me of why he is my all time favorite jazz pianist. I wish I could play my upright piano half as good. Alas, I do not have Harry’s talent.



He went on to play a few more songs from the New Orleans club set on the old upright piano with his Big Band and I felt like I was back in New Orleans. Back on Bourban Street in jazz clubs and restaurants where jazz musicians poured out great music while waiters walked around with baking sheets of fresh hot biscuits straight from the oven. I could taste the buttered biscuits melting in my mouth as Harry played and sang about New Orleans memories and legends.

And the third was during Mardi Gras in New Orleans when chingpea threw a Mardi Gras bead necklace on stage and Harry danced over and put it around his neck. One of our group had touched something that now touched Harry!

When that beaded necklace hit the stage I remembered being in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, watching the parades, being one of thousands crowded onto Bourban Street as people on the hotel balconies threw Mardi Gras beads down to those in the street. I remembered the music. I remembered New Orleans with all its grandeur and history.

Oh, My Nola… I’ll remember you through your music.

*Pictures posted were found on the internet and are not from the Oh, My Nola concert in Bakersfield as photography was not allowed.

Labels: Bakersfield, Bourban Street, Harry Connick Jr., jazz music, Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Oh My Nola, piano

  posted by Matildakay at 9:45 PM 2 comments