Harry and friends – Hive and Nest

Like most girls growing up in the late 80’s-early 90’s I had a soft spot in my heart for Harry Connick, Jr. He was the essence of the debonair, romantic gentleman who would be coming along to sweep my off my feet any second now. But his music framed a couple of my doomed relationships and now half of his stuff makes me want to throw up (nothing personal, Harry! Just a lot of oogie memories.)

But I’m a jazz lover. Especially retro/vintage/croony-ish jazz. Pop music bores me in general, but give me a swinging beat and a voice like velvet and I’m right at home (I would say I was born in the wrong decade but I’m much too outspoken and sassy to live back in the good ol’ days.)

I love to spend lazy days perusing itunes and I was pleased to find a few dandy new/old singers. First let me introduce Tony DeSare. He’s from Glens Falls, NY (right down the road from my old home in Schenectady). I have no idea how old he is, but he looks pretty young. I’m sure the Harry Connick Jr. comparisons are getting tiresome, but he’s so similar they can’t be helped (he plays the piano and sings big band!) He doesn’t just stick to the old-timey tunes, though. He’s got a swinging hot version of Prince’s Kiss. Check it out for yourself here!

On the girly front, let me guide you to Emilie-Claire Barlow. Like most super-awesome people she’s a brunette (sorry blondes! You may have more fun, but we’re just more talented.) She’s also Canadian, so a few of her songs are in French. A couple are also, inexplicably, in Portuguese. Whatever. Emilie-Claire has a lovely, breezy quality that makes her songs so charming and irresistible. C’est Merveilleux (try to spell that without spell-check) is one of my favorite songs ever! All of her songs are on itunes so give her a listen!