The Pointer Sisters vs. Harry Connick, Jr. | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 36^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2023), The Pointer Sisters and Harry Connick, Jr. contend for the best rendition of “Yes We Can.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 36th edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2023), 🎙 The Pointer Sisters and 🎙 Harry Connick, Jr.  contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Yes We Can”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. The Pointer Sisters, “Yes We Can Can”

💿 The Pointer Sisters • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. • 🗓 1973

It is amazing the work that can be put in with a vamp.  Never underestimate the power of repetition because it can be the catalyst for a great, great song. 🏆 Grammy winners 🎙 The Pointer Sisters, one of the great girl groups of the 1970s/80s, struck gold on their 1973 album, 💿 The Pointer Sisters, with an 🎼 ✍ Allen Toussaint (1938 – 2015) penned funk record, 🎵 “Yes We Can.” Originally performed by 🎙 Lee Dorsey, The Pointer Sisters made 🎵 “Yes We Can Can” into a pop hit. “Yes We Can Can” peaked at no. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 12 on the R&B charts. Focusing on this cover (hard to believe 🤯), that fat bass line, emphasizing a C chord faithfully, riding a funky groove is EPIC (🎛 David Rubinson produces)!

It’s not just the simple music that’s lit 🔥 – potent AF.  It’s also the vocals by The Pointer Sisters, led by 🎙 Anita Pointer. The ladies ooze with musicianship, personality, and, what else, soul! That groove, which runs the course of six minutes, is plenty of fuel for the fire.  Anita’s lead – melody and riffs – are on autopilot. “Now’s the time for all good men / To get together with one another,” she sings, adding, “We got to iron out our problems / And iron out our quarrels / And try to live as brothers.” Preach, girl! Likewise, her sisters’ harmonized vocals are locked-in, adding to the sheer excellence of 🎵 “Yes We Can Can”.  The centerpiece is the chorus, which is catchy, infectious, and memorable to the nth degree!

“I know we can make it

I know darn well we can work it out

Oh yes we can, I know we can-can

Yes we can can, why can’t we?

If we wanna, yes we can-can.”

Appears in 🔻:

• The Pointer Sisters, Yes We Can Can: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 123 (2023)

2. Harry Connick, Jr., “Yes We Can”

💿 Oh, My NOLA • 🏷 Sony BMG Music Entertainment • 🗓 2007

“I know we can make it / I know darn well we can work it out / Oh yes we can, I know we can can / Yes we can can, why can’t we.” 🎵 “Yes We Can” appears as the eighth track off 💿 Oh, My NOLA, the 2007 album by 🏆 Grammy-winning, New Orleans-bred jazz/pop singer/songwriter, 🎙 Harry Connick, Jr.. “Yes We Can” is easily one of the best songs from the album. “Yes We Can” sounds as if it could’ve been originally record by Connick, Jr., even though 🎼 ✍ Allen Toussaint composed it, while 🎙 Lee Dorsey originally recorded it. Focusing on the Connick, Jr. rendition, there’s lots to adore.

Let’s start with the music itself.  In Harry’s hands, “Yes We Can” gets a marvelous big band arrangement.  This funk joint maintains its funk, while also embracing jazz.  The saxophone and brass orchestrations are picturesque; utterly sublime.  Pianistically, the riffs are sweet, with ample blues sensibilities. Beyond top-he sings with soul idiomatic of his hometown, he never over-sings. Vocally, he’s a prime example of bringing or exuding that cool 😎 energy – #BIG MOOD! Revisiting the instrumentalists once more, Connick, Jr. does a bang-up job of incorporating ample space for the instrumentalists to show off 💪. All told, 🎵 “Yes We Can” in the hands of Connick, Jr. embodies New Orleans through and through and is incredibly ear catching.

Appears in 🔻:

• Harry Connick, Jr., Yes We Can: Covers No. 34 (2023)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, here’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Who covered Allen Toussaint’s composition, 🎵 “Yes We Can” the best? Was it 🎙 The Pointer Sisters or 🎙 Harry Connick, Jr.?  Both versions are marvelous. Connick Jr. shows off tremendous musicianship with his soulful and terrific orchestrations. Anita Pointer and company ride a simple harmonic progression and in-the-pocket rhythm section like champs.  When it all comes down to it, it was The Pointer Sisters who turned this record into a pop hit, hence owning the definitive version.  Therefore, The Pointer Sisters take this competitive Head 2 Head.

The Pointer Sisters vs. Harry Connick, Jr.: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 36 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony BMG Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings, Inc.; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]