It Had to be You

Thursday was D-Day! Well actually, it was H-day! Harry Connick, Jr. Day. Now anyone who knows me, knows I love me some Harry! He actually has the capacity to make me swoon. No joke.

(Sorry Went, if you showed up more often and maybe sang here in the USA…I might dub you swoon worthy too. (anyone else catch the pun heh heh) But you know you are still my number one, baby. Right?)

I ran out of work, changed into some boobalicious clothes,because, since someone else we know didn’t show, why let a good top and jeans go to waste.

Once in The City, dinner is had at In-n-Out Burger. (Please don’t think the irony of that is missed on me) For dessert, God help me, get this, I am looking at Krispy Kreme, right next door. (Irony not lost here either) I tell you, what more does a girl need, other than some people to show up…

Parking is a snap! How often can you say that about San Francisco? We park next to a guy who smiles broadly, and I think, I love the city, and what a nice sweater he is wearing! Men don’t wear enough sweaters in my opinion.

Ok, leaving the parking lot, sweater boy is in front of us with who? Sweater boy, boyfriend! Suddenly it is all clear. Yes, of course the gay man knows how to rock the sweater! (BTW, still in the market to be a hag)

At the Davies Hall, tickets are taken, seats are found and the place is AMAZING! Seriously! It was gorgeous! And probably a sound engineers dream!

So looking around at all the other people, who do I see walking up the isle. No, not Went. Remember, he doesn’t show. Ex Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! I think this is hilarious! What’s more he is only 5 rows ahead of me. Yes I had some great tickets!

The lights dim and Harry’s band comes out.

Band

• Vocals, piano: Harry Connick, Jr.
• Trombone: Lucien Barbarin, Joe Barati
• Trumpet: Derrick Gardner, Mark Braud, Roger Ingram, Leroy Jones
• Bass: Neal Caine
• Alto saxophone: Charles Goold
• Baritone saxophone: David Schumacher
• Tenor saxophone: Jerry Weldon
• Drums: Arthur Latin
• Jeff Bush, Dion Tucker

The run through some songs with out him. They are amazing musicians. I can’t say enough about them. AMAZING!

Harry finally comes out, he had on this beautiful gray suit and black and grey silk tie. I managed to keep from throwing my panties at him. He plays piano a little, sings a little and makes me swoon a little. I COULD NOT wipe the stupid grin off my face.

He finishes singing and takes a moment to point out there are four empty seats in the front row, and if the occupants didn’t show in 10 minutes, he was going to give their seats to someone in the balcony. I myself, would be happy to sit in the corner of the stage on the floor. Maybe next time. I know, I know, you have your fantasies, I have mine.

More songs are sung and the occupants finally show. Bastards. So he sings a few more songs and it is time to introduce the band. While introducing the band, he uses the bastards in the front row as comic relief and picks on them the whole time. * wailing, shaking fist at sky WHY OH WHY COULDN’T IT HAVE BEEN ME * He also introduces himself as Chris Issac. Silly boy. Chris wishes…

Anyway, watching the amazing show and I happen to notice that my shirt is opening and the girls are starting to try to make their way out. Can’t blame them really, don’t you want to get closer to Harry?

Watching him play I am struck by his amazing sense of rhythm, which I happen to believe you need more of for jazz so kooky. Ok girls did you hear me? AMAZING RHYTHM. (Please see earlier In-n-Out and Kreme reference) *Swoon* I also notice his tie is missing. When did he take that off and I missed it?

Now let me say this, I am not really a big “Jazz” fan. I am a Harry fan. For jazz, I am not inclined to just sit around and listen to it or put it on in my car, I need to watch jazz. It is very visual for me. Watching it, I can appreciate more, the beauty in the dissonance. I really do understand why people have a hard time with it. This was of course, more melodic than a lot so I think anyone interested would have had a good time.

At one point he brought out a couple of “Pinch Hitter” from New Orleans, a trombone and trumpet player. They were crazy good! Sorry I can't remember their names.

In the middle of various of his musicians playing solos, Harry has full on conversations with his band members. What?! It is so odd. What are they talking about? What is that crucial? And more importantly, why am I left out? * wailing again *

So, what is better than playing and singing Harry? Stripping Harry! He starts to take off his suit jacket! I almost die. I am having palpitations! Rolls up his sleeves of his shirt and starts to do what? DANCE! Singing, stripping dancing Harry! I am in hysterics! I am laughing so hard I can’t breathe and tears are running down my very sore cheeks. Then the two pinch hitters put down their horns, they all turn their backs to us and start to shake their booties, sideways across the stage!

*is dead *

My poor heart can’t take it. When I am finally brought back to life they are taking their bow and leaving the stage. What? It’s over? NO! This should be intermission! I look at my watch, it’s been TWO HOURS?!?!?!?!!! This was the shortest two hours ever!

He comes back for one last encore. “It Had to be You.” Thanks Harry! I would have like to have posed the video for it, but apparently, it has gone into hiding. So, instead, I will post my favorite Harry song.

Whispered Your Name.

Harry also asked we help with the devastation in New Orleans. I am doing my part to spread the word.