Years after the '90s, the decade will be remembered for the
rise of pianist-vocalist Diana Krall. Simply put, this British
Columbian-born artist is one of the most engaging musicians to
emerge from the heap of scat-happy singers high on pyrotechnics,
but short on poetry. Stamped with the imprimatur of the Nat
King Cole trio and blessed by her apprenticeship with the late
West Coast piano giant Jimmy Rowles, Krall simply sings songs
the way they're supposed to be sung: with devotion to the lyric
and with attention to the groove. This CD finds Krall in
familiar company with compatriots Russell Malone (on guitar),
bassist John Clayton, drummers Lewis Nash and Jeff Hamilton,
and vibraphonist (and former Bill Evans associate)
Larry Bunker--all supported by Johnny Mandel's svelte string
arrangements. Krall and crew take Irving Berlin's chestnut
"Let's Face the Music and Dance" and the Sinatra-signatured
"I've Got You Under My Skin" south to Brazil via a sexy bossa
nova. Malone's lush guitar accompaniment complements Krall's
heartfelt delivery on "When I Look in Your Eyes," and Michael
Franks's "Popsicle Toes" dances courtesy of Hamilton's drum
work. "Devil May Care," "East of the Sun (and West of the Moon),
" The Best Thing for You," and the stridish "I Can't Give You
Anything but Love" groove with a minimum of waste, while
Mandel's simpatico strings steal the show on "I'll String
Along with You," "Pick Yourself Up," and "Do It Again." All
of which further illuminate the cool fire from this fine gift
from North of the Border.
Copyright Amazon.com, 1999
|
EMusic FREE Trial MP3 Subscriptions
Market your band or artist
Search for Diana Krall pictures
When I Look...
 Chapters: $14.99
 Amazon: $13.28
Audio Clips
|
