Maps of Music

We Are in Love (1990)

Where the lyrics of We Are in Love take you, and where it was really made.

Critics were split on this album, yet it topped Billboard's jazz charts, sold over two million copies and won a Grammy.

Key places

RCA Studio B in New York City (1990)

Recording site Record Plant Studios — Part of the album was recorded at RCA Studio B in New York City on 19, 23 April and 1 May 1990. The point is set at city-center level, not at the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Evergreen Radford Studio in North Hollywood (1990)

Recording site Schnee Studio — Part of the album was recorded at Evergreen Radford Studio in North Hollywood, California, on 7-9 and 12-15 March 1990. The point is set at city-center level, not at the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• We Are in Love: sixth studio album by American musician and actor Harry Connick Jr.
• Released 3 July 1990 by Columbia Records
• Traditional jazz with swing influences
• Connick on piano and vocals; Russell Malone on guitar; Shannon Powell on drums; Benjamin Jonah Wolfe on double bass; Branford Marsalis on saxophone
• Released alongside the trio instrumental album Lofty's Roach Soufflé on the same day

Background

• Supported by a nationwide tour
• An accompanying long-form music video was released the same day as the album
• In Japan, promoted through Suntory whiskey commercials and heavy airplay on J-WAVE

Recording

• Recorded at Evergreen Radford Studio, North Hollywood, CA, on 7-9 and 12-15 March 1990
• Recorded at RCA Studio B, New York City, on 19, 23 April and 1 May 1990
• Mixed and edited at Smoke Tree Ranch Studios, Chatsworth, CA
• Joel Moss credited for recording and mixing; Bernie Grundman credited for mastering

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Early life

• Born September 11, 1967 in New Orleans; raised in the Lakeview neighborhood.
• Began learning keyboards at age three, performed publicly at five, and recorded with a local jazz band at ten.
• At nine performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra.
• Developed his talent at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts under Ellis Marsalis Jr. and James Booker.
• Moved to New York, studied at Hunter College and the Manhattan School of Music, and signed with Columbia Records.

Career

• Score for When Harry Met Sally... (1989) brought his first Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance; a second followed for We Are in Love (1990).
• Acted in Memphis Belle (1990), Copycat (1995), Independence Day (1996), Hope Floats (1998), and The Iron Giant (1999, voice).
• Starred as Leo Markus on NBC's Will & Grace from 2002 to 2006.
• Only You (2004) reached No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 6 in Britain.
• Hosted the daytime talk show Harry from 2016 to 2018.
• Recorded Cole Porter reinterpretations in 2019 and Alone with My Faith in 2021, earning his 16th Grammy nomination.
• Sold over 30 million albums worldwide as of 2019; won three Grammys and two Emmys.

Reception

At release

• Overall critical response was mixed
• Toledo Blade (David Vonke): praised the album as a throwback to the 1940s, calling Connick a dapper crooner in the manner of Frank Sinatra
• The New York Times: called it an impressive vocal album of old-style popular songs, many composed by Connick
• Newsweek (Cathleen McGuigan): called the album terrific, noting Connick's songs sound old yet new
• Los Angeles Times (Zan Stewart): said Connick lacks Sinatra's magic pipes but can handle a tune with good feeling
• Billboard (Melinda Newman): called it a big band vocal album in line with the previous soundtrack music
• Entertainment Weekly (Gary Giddins): found the vocals airy and all charm with little substance, while praising the songwriting
• United Press International (Ken Franckling): judged the vocals at best passable but praised the orchestra
• AllMusic (Scott Yanow): reviewed favorably, with the covers of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and It's Alright with Me as high points
• Phoenix New Times (Dave McElfrish): said the production smothered the writing and the album sounds more nostalgic than original

Records

• Billboard jazz charts: number one
• Sold over two million copies
• UK Albums Chart: top ten entry
• 33rd Annual Grammy Awards: Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male; title track performed live on the telecast
• Japan: over 50,000 units sold by October 1991, over 100,000 in total
• RIAJ certified Gold in 1993

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The album and the trio instrumental album Lofty's Roach Soufflé were released together on the same day.
• A long-form music video came out the same day as the album.
• In Japan, J-WAVE gave the album heavy airplay, and Suntory whiskey commercials promoted it.
• Recording was split between North Hollywood in March 1990 and New York City in April and May 1990.
• The title track was performed live on the Grammy telecast after the album won its award.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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