All that talent and he can act too!

As regular readers of this blog will know, if it doesn't involve flickering pictures in a darkened cinema, I don't get out much. (OK, so I went to Cliff Richard and the Shads recently, but that was for me dear wee Mum, plus I was paid to go...)

So last night was a nice change of pace, when the lovely music editor (thanks, Vicki!) bestowed me with some comps to see Harry Connick Jr with his fabulous 14-piece band.

There are few words to describe how brilliant the show was, but I'll try to summon some as this is my job...

And yes, before the pedants descend, this counts as movie-related since Connick starred as a tail gunner (not a euphemism) in the WWII movie Memphis Belle, and a pilot in Independence Day, and Sandra Bullock's leading man in Hope Floats, and Grace's husband in Will & Grace (not a movie, I know, but I enjoyed it), and the bartender in PS I Love You, and the love interest in Renee Zellweger's straight-to-DVD romcom last year, New in Town.

The James Hay Theatre turned into a little piece of New Orleans (pre-Katrina) with some incredible jazz stylings. I have to agree with my fellow blogger Simon Sweetman, who says in his review: "Connick's charisma is his best trick, his finest instrument and the perfect accompaniment to any of his songs," but his velvety voice and keyboard skills, not to mention his way with the bongos and trumpet, were not to be sniffed at.

In an era where reading music is not something pop singers automatically know how to do, it's fabulous to be a few metres away from genuine talent. Connick's trombonist (is that a word?)  Lucien Barbarin almost stole the show and even took over the vocals for a while.

Maybe Harry needed the rest. As my colleague Vicki Anderson wrote in her review: "Connick's voice was more croaky than crooner at times and he apologised for this but blamed it entirely on this nation of adrenalin-junkies. 'I've done nothing but scream since I got here. I've leapt off a building, been on the luge in Queenstown, thrown my daughter off a bridge...'"

It wasn't that croaky... In a sweet moment, he even brought his 12-year-old daughter Kate on stage to show her off. Apparently, he's got her to sing with him in the past, but not this time. I thought to myself - clever Jill Goodacre - sending their middle daughter along on tour with Daddy definitely cuts down on the chances of groupies jumping on Harry.

In the nicest possible way he suggested that "Christchurch" was misnamed and should change its name to "Satan's basement". And he got out of there without a lynch mob chasing him - that's just how charismatic he is...

Harry's not the first singer to turn to acting, of course. There's a long list of crooners-turned-camera-hogs. All the way back to Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday, Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard, singers have been taking on a day job filling the big screens with their faces and cinema seats with their fans.

More recently we've seen Mark Wahlberg almost make us forget that he started off as Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, although who could forget his boxers? We've also seen Queen Latifah, Meat Loaf, Alicia Keys, Beyonce and P Diddy up on screen.

So today's topic is - jazzy drumroll please - who is your favourite famous singer turned actor, and who should have stuck to their old job?

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paul   #1   02:12 pm Mar 17 2010

Alice Cooper (though the movie he starred in was really, really bad and he didn't have a speaking part in the John Carpenter film he was in)and Rob Zombie (director not actor).

Melissa   #2   02:48 pm Mar 17 2010

You forgot the knife-licking psychopath in Copycat...

Anyway... Meatloaf??? Rocky Horror and Fight Club. Brilliant. And does Will Smith count? I guess he sings a bit on occasion. Obviously fun to watch.

Worst? Whitney Houston/Madonna/Britney Spears - it's a three-way tie. Some people should just stick to what they know.

andrea   #3   03:13 pm Mar 17 2010

It surprises me you left out copycat - I mean of all those movies you mentioned - this has to be the one he was best in - come on!

Jamie   #4   07:40 pm Mar 17 2010

Just as well you review films and not music. I enjoy your film reviews. Totally agree with the Alice Cooper comment what a nightmare that would be.

anmar   #5   10:59 pm Mar 17 2010

"trombonist (is that a word?)"

Yes trombonist is a word Margaret.

susan   #6   03:24 am Mar 18 2010

He was also in "Little Man Tate."

tracy   #7   04:33 am Mar 18 2010

living in new orleans, i have to say that the comment "pre-katrina" is not accurate! our city still boasts the best sounds of the delta and bayous!! with that said, i loved the blog and i love me some harry connick jr. and i vote him as the best crooner turned actor!!

Tarpz   #8   11:09 am Mar 18 2010

Ohhhh Harry's right up there with Will Smith and Mark Wahlberg its to close to pick between the three.

My leasst favs would be Brittany Spears and that damn Hannah Montana

Moneyshot   #9   12:04 pm Mar 18 2010

John Lennon, David Bowie..Donny Wahlberg if you called that singing. Elvis..poor bugger.

Jan   #10   12:22 pm Mar 18 2010

Showing my age - what about Meatloaf in Rocky Horror Show - actually, he's been in a couple of 'good ol southern' shows as well?

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