Diana Krall

[RainyDay]

This is my first CD by Krall. I've enjoyed her work for the most part but not enough to buy anything. Also, she gets enough airtime on the radio that I can hear her frequently.

Last year, Krall did two sets of gigs at Yoshi's. She was trying out the material that would end up on Girl in the Other Room and wanted to give it the acid test in front of an audience. I'd seen her once before when I went to see Tony Bennett a few years ago. It was an outdoor concert, intimate enough, but the wind and picnickers were a distraction. I wanted to see her in a small venue so I went to see her both times at Yoshi’s.

The first set of gigs was in May and she appeared with Christian McBride among others. They were new to the material and to each other. It was interesting because there were a few gaffes and lots of giggling when they made mistakes. The second set of gigs was in June and she appeared with her regular band. The music was tighter and there was that smoothness that comes from familiarity among musicians that know each other’s playing style well.

I dug her to death and honestly hadn’t expected to. I’ve always enjoyed her singing. She doesn’t have much range but she can do a lot with what she has and interprets a song beautifully. She isn’t Dee Dee Bridgewater whose chops can blow most right off the stage. But Krall is really very good.

Anyway, I loved the new material she played on both nights I saw her and figured I would purchase the record when it came out. So today, the Wherehouse actually had a record that I wanted AND it was on sale. So I’m playing Girl in the Other Room and enjoying it very much, thank you. It has more pop orientation than her other work but the jazz influence is still right there. I think the reason I like Krall is that I believe her. The experience she sings about rings true to me. The pain sounds real, whether it is or not. But I believe her. The songs she chose are really beautiful and the original material works for me also. “Black Crow” by Joni Mitchell just makes your heart ache. “Almost Blue” by Elvis Costello is simply lovely.

I don’t expect to get much, if any, response to this thread. Not sure where I could post this and get some positive response. I feel lucky that I got to see her perform this material live. The recording is wonderful.

[Morganized]

I tend to agree with many of your comments. I think she has excellent phrasing and style although not tremendous range. I think she has been good for jazz overall weighing all the pros and cons. If you want to hear her at her best IMHO, try this one:

[Bright Moments]

well rainy, i enjoyed this one too!

[ghost of miles]

Some earlier discussion here.

[Bright Moments]

Some earlier discussion here.

thanks!

[Dan Gould]

The first set of gigs was in May and she appeared with Christian McBride among others. They were new to the material and to each other.

McBride appeared on Love Scenes so they were not new to each other.