Album: Your Songs

Introduction
" Your Songs" is a 2009 studio album of American vocalist and pianist, Harry Connick Jr. Released on September 22, 2009, the album significant Connick's return to the Columbia Records label after his previous album, "What a Night! A Christmas Album". The album features cover versions of popular songs with brand-new musical arrangements by Connick Jr. himself. It was produced by the famous Clive Davis, with Connick Jr. functioning as an executive producer.

Album Concept and Artwork
" Your Songs" features a collection of songs that the artist himself admitted to loving and constantly visualized taping his own distinct take on. The album includes 14 tracks, which primarily include ballads and timeless requirements from various genres, including pop, jazz, and Broadway.

The album cover art plainly includes a photograph of Connick Jr. worn a classic suit, with his name and album title printed below the picture. The simpleness of the cover art reflects the albums more stripped-down technique to the music, with Harry going back to his reputation as a talented pianist and gifted singer.

Featured Collaborations
" Your Songs" features a variety of visitor artists and collaborations in its tracks. The album includes duets with artists such as Carla Bruni, the wife of previous French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Kim Burrell, and acclaimed jazz artists Wynton and Branford Marsalis. The partnerships bring a varied range of tastes to the album.

Significant collaborations consist of the iconic "Smile" featuring Carla Bruni, initially made up by Charlie Chaplin, and "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" featuring Branford Marsalis, a saxophonist and Harry's veteran good friend.

Tracklist and Styles
As previously pointed out, "Your Songs" includes 14 tracks of mostly ballads and traditional requirements. The list of songs includes:

1. "All The Way" (Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen).
2. "Just The Way You Are" (Billy Joel).
3. "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" (Luigi Creatore, Hugo Peretti, George David Weiss).
4. "And I Love Her" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney).
5. "( They Long to Be) Close to You" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David).
6. "Besame Mucho" (Consuelo Velazquez).
7. "The Way You Look Tonight" (Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern).
8. "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (Ewan MacColl).
9. "Your Song" (Elton John, Bernie Taupin).
10. "Some Enchanted Evening" (Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers).
11. "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" (Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley).
12. "Smile" (Charlie Chaplin, John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons).
13. "Mona Lisa" (Ray Evans, Jay Livingston).
14. "The Windmills of Your Mind" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand).

The album mixes Connick's signature jazz sound with components of pop and symphonic music. Some of the tracks include big band orchestration, showcasing Connick's skill as a conductor and arranger.

Reception and Accolades
" Your Songs" received generally favorable evaluations from music critics. They applauded Connick Jr.'s capability to imbue traditional tunes with his signature design while maintaining the essence of the initial tunes.

The album peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200, with over 33,000 copies offered during the first week of its release. "Your Songs" likewise reached number 2 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, marking yet another effective album for the multi-talented artist.