On his current tour, modern day jazz icon Harry Connick Jr. celebrates the rich culture and musical history of his hometown, New Orleans. Appropriately titled "My New Orleans Tour," Connick Jr. shared a fantastic selection of songs from the famed city with a capacity crowd at Seoul's stunning Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.A massive grand piano positioned in front of a large curtain greeted patrons as they filed into the spacious theatre. Shortly after 8 p.m., the lights dimmed and the curtain rose to reveal a stand-up bassist, drummer and nine-piece brass section. Connick Jr. appeared and counted the band in for Hughie Cannon-penned set-opener "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?" before taking a seat behind his piano. He continued to tickle the ivories during an upbeat cover of "Working In A Coal Mine," but it was during "Hello Dolly" that his charisma truly was able to shine. Standing up mid-track, he walked to the very front of the stage and literally teetered along its edge while serenading lucky audience members in the first row. If for some absurd reason someone wasn't won over by the talent showcased by Connick Jr. and his proficient backing band during the first three songs they were definitely smitten after he paused to speak with the crowd. Greeting everyone in Korean, which earned him a thunderous applause, he recalled a teenage crush on a Korean piano player and knew after meeting such a beautiful woman that he wanted to come to Korea. Very down to earth and personable, he went on to tell about his Korean BBQ dinner and joked about eating too much kimchi as the audience laughed along. The Sejong Center's wonderful acoustics complemented the soothing sounds of jazz and swing that filled the performance area. Connick Jr. instructed everyone early on to "sit back and relax" and that's exactly what most did as they nodded and occasionally clapped along to the music. Taking place on the eve of White Day (the follow-up to Valentine's Day in some Asian countries) more than a few couples snuggled up together during romantic numbers such as "You Made Me Love You" and "When I Fall In Love." 
Despite countless highlights, "Basin St. Blues," from 1988's 20 disc, easily stood out as the evening's best. After interviewing his daughters about Namdaemun Market and the potency of Korea's garlic, Connick Jr. invited trombonist Lucien Barbarin out to guest on the track. Modifying the lyrics to include references to kimchi, Connick Jr. got everyone clapping before Barbarin wowed them with a solo. Connick Jr. began dancing while his friend played. Unable to resist, Barbarin put his trombone on top of the piano and joined him as trumpet player Mark Braud came up front to solo. Barbarin and Connick Jr. soon had the crowd in stitches as they locked hands and slowly waltzed from one end of the stage to the other. Breaking apart, Barbarin picked up a microphone and finished the fun number with his fantastic, soulful singing.As New Orleans continues to rebuild after the mass devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Connick Jr.'s highly entertaining performance of the city's contemporary and classic jazz numbers reminded all of what makes it so special. Had there been a travel agent set up in the lobby, you be certain that more than a few satisfied customers would have eagerly booked flights to Louisiana at the concert's end. Kudos to promoter Yellow 9 for their continued efforts to showcase top-notch foreign talent in Seoul. In addition to Connick Jr., in the last six months they've brought over a diverse range of artists that includes Smashing Mag faves Ozomatli, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Bjork, and pop superstar Celine Dion. This summer they'll again be organizing The Pentaport Rock Festival, South Korea's premier music event. -- setlist -- Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?/ Working In A Coal Mine/ Hello Dolly/ Jambalaya/ Medley: Iko Iko - Big Chief - Yes We Can/ Let Them Talk/ You Made Me Love You/ Basin St. Blues/ Didn't He Ramble/ Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?/ Bourbon St. Parade/ When I Fall In Love/ Come By Me/ Mardi Gras In New Orleans/ It Had To Be You |
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report by shawn and photos by Eshe & shawn |
 Mag files : Harry Connick Jr. Next Stop: New Orleans (08/03/13 @ Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Seoul) : review by shawn, photos by Eshe |
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The official site
Harry Connick Jr. http://www.hconnickjr.com/ check 'em? --> iTunes The latest album  "Oh, My Nola" (US import / 国内盤) previous works
"Chanson du Vieux Carrė" (国内盤 / US import / iTunes)
"Harry On Broadway Act1" (国内盤 / US import) "Occasion" (国内盤 / iTunes / iTunes Version) "Songs I Heard" (国内盤 / US import / UK import) "Only You" (UK import) "Harry for The Holidays" (国内盤 / UK import) "Other Hours" (国内盤) "Come By Me" (国内盤 / US import / UK import) "20" (国内盤 / US import) "Harry Connick, Jr." (国内盤 / US import) "We Are In Love" (国内盤 / US import) "Lofty's Roach Souffle" (国内盤 / US import) "When Harry Met Sally..." (国内盤) "30" (国内盤 / US import / UK import) "When My Heart Finds Christmas" (UK import) "To See You" (国内盤 / US import / UK import) "One Fine Day" (国内盤) "Star Turtle" (国内盤 / US import / UK import) "She" (国内盤 / US import) "11" (US import) "Blue Light, Red Light" (US import) "25" (US import) "My New Orleans" (US import) "Forever for Now" (UK import) ... and more
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The latest DVD "Only You: In Concert" (US import) previous DVD
"ア・デュオ・オケージョン" (国内盤 / US import)
"メンフィス・ベル(映画)" (国内盤) "恋人たちの予感 (特別編)" (国内盤) "アイアン・ジャイアント 特別版" (国内盤) "リトルマン・テイト(映画)" (国内盤) "コピーキャット(映画)" (国内盤) ...and more check the albums? |
 2008Next Stop: New Orleans : Harry Connick Jr. (13th Mar. @ Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Seoul)On Fire : The Rocktigers (9th Mar. @ Sangsang Madang Live Hall, Seoul)Get The Party Started : Cocore (29th Feb. @ Club DGBD, Seoul)Out Of This World : Björk (19th Feb. @ Olympic Hall, Seoul)No Rust On This Machine : Rage Against The Machine (9th Feb. @ Makuhari Messe Kokusai Tenjijo)A Cause For Dance : The Afet Collective (8th Feb. @ Harajuku Studio Cafe)Music Makes The Perfect Gift : Swinging Popsicle (26th Jan. @ Baekam Art Hall, Seoul)At The (Co) Core, It's Still Rock N' Roll : Cocore (19th Jan. @ Blue Spirit, Seoul)Good Ol' Fashioned Hardcore Workout : Terror and The Geeks (5th Jan. @ Skunk Hell, Seoul)2007Shirt N' Tie Affair : Oh! Brother and Cabinet Singalongs (22nd Dec. @ Velvet Banana Club, Seoul)The Blues : The Zoobombs (10th Oct. @ Starlight, Waterloo, Ontario)Girls Just Want To Have Fun : The Pipettes (9th Aug. @ Harajuku Astro Hall)For Those About To Rock : Metalchicks (16th Jun. @ Shibuya O-Nest)Great Expectations : Asakusa Jinta (12th May @ Yoyogi Zher The Zoo)Interview : Everybody Dance Now : The Afet Collective (22nd May.)Thank You For Not Being White : Think About Life (3rd May @ Harajuku Astro Hall)Too Good To Resist : Bleach with Midori, Electric Eel Shock, Detroit7 (23rd Apr. @ Shimokitazawa Shelter)History Repeating : Flogging Molly (16th Apr. @ Shibuya AX)The Self-Proclaimed World's Third Best Punk Band : Converge (7th Apr. @ Shinkiba Studio Coast)Don't Forget Your Manners : Converge (16th Mar. @ Shimokitazawa Club 251)They Don't Build Them Like They Used To : Yo La Tengo (19th Feb. @ Shibuya O-East)Smoking Hot : Isis with These Arms Are Snakes, Boris (29th Jan. @ Shibuya Club QuattroHot In Herre : Calexico with Iron & Wine (27th Jan. @ Shibuya Club QuattroYou Can Always Come Back Home : Deerhoof (20th Jan. @ Shinjuku Loft)The Untouchables : The Roots (15th Jan. @ Shibuya O-East)Dream A Little Dream : The Album Leaf (13th Jan. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)2006Here Today ... Gone To Hell : Arab Strap (11th Dec. @ Shibuya O-Nest)Mo' Mo' Mo' Mo'some : Mo'some Tonebender (2nd Dec. @ Shibuya AX)Good Things Come In Threes : Bleach with Ni-Hao!, Watusi Zombie (5th Nov. @ Yoyogi Zher the Zoo)Glitter And Mop-tops : The Zutons (2nd Oct. @ Shibuya AX)Twisting Minds And Tanning Behinds : Asylum Street Spankers (17h Sept. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)DVD review : I Know I'm Not Alone : Michael Franti & Spearhead (4th Oct.)Melodic Metal Monday : Dark Tranquility w/ Galneryus (1th Sept. @ Daikanyama Unit)Give Me Something I Can Dance To! : Fangsanalsatan Extra feat. The Stars, Boris, Guitar Wolf (22nd Jul. @ Shinjuku Loft)Melting Everything In Their Path : Melt-Banana (9th Jul. @ Yokohama Club 24)Never Too Old To Party : Shonen Knife (8th Jul. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)An Early Summer Night's Dream : Belle and Sebastian (3rd Jun. @ Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball)Zoobombcrazy : The Zoobombs (6th May. @ Yoyogi Zher The Zoo)F-U-N : Limited Express (Has Gone?) (2nd Apr. @ Yoyogi Zher The Zoo)Full CCCIIIRRRCCCLLLEEE : Cave In (25th Mar. @ Shibuya Club Asia)The Perfect Storm : Mono (18th Mar. @ Shibuya O-Nest)School Of Rock : The White Stripes (6th Mar. @ Zepp Tokyo)Far From Extinct : Dinosaur Jr. (27th Feb. @ Shibuya AX)Vintage Valentine : Showa Genroku Crazy Tangoku feat. Thee 50's High Teens, Salome no Kutibiru, The 50 Kaitens & The Captains (13th Feb. @ Shimokitazawa Club 251)Walk The Line : Afrirampo (29th Jan. @ Higashi Koenji UFO Club)Every Girl's Crazy About A Sharp Dressed Man : Kaiser Chiefs (23rd Jan. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)All That And Looks Too : Tristan Prettyman (22nd Jan. @ Shibuya AX)-->...and more |