A newfound respect for Harry Connick Jr

The TOP 5 American Idol show’s theme was about Sinatra, mentored by the great Harry Connick Jr.

I never really dug Harry Connick Jr in the past. He looked arrogant, and all I know is he released a few records.
Stupid me then found out, through American Idol top 5 show, that he was a child prodigy, composed for popular movies such as When Harry met Sally (!!!).

[From wikipedia "...he learned the keyboards at the age of three, played publicly at age six and recorded with a local jazz band at ten. When Connick, Jr. was nine years old, he performed the Piano Concerto No. 3 Opus 37 of Beethoven with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra (now the Louisiana Philharmonic) and later played a duet with Eubie Blake at the Royal Orleans Esplanade Lounge in New Orleans."]

WOW. right?

American Idol hopefuls during this top 5 show who are still in the running are: Aaron Kelly, Big Mike, Crystal Mamasox, Casey James, Lee Dewyze. They  all loved Harry.

The reason I myself was thrilled with Harry Connick Jr is because he not only mentored the Idolettes but he did their arrangements, sparing them the usual hit-or-miss orchestrations, and played backup on stage. Mostly, his court-jester humor and antics gave him a grounded sort of quality. And then, of course, he’s a brilliant musician, and did Sinatra justice. His “mentoring” for me, was totally spot-on, and he was able to gauge each contestant as to whether they exuded the ‘artist’ or ‘contestant’ vibe.  For the most part, he was right in his picks too (most wereartists, except for big Mike)

All in all, it was a great show. I think Harry was able to pull out the improvements he needed from the kids. Harry’s appearance on Idol this Top 5 week will probably remembered more than the Idol contestants perfomances.