September 4–11, 1997

disc quicks

Diana Krall

Love Scenes (Impulse!)

Diana Krall

Diana Krall's last album, All for You (Impulse!), a tribute to the Nat King Cole Trio, earned a Grammy nomination and quickly thrust the British Canadian singer/pianist into the smoky spotlight. Her new project, Love Scenes, promises more of the same with a heavier emphasis on Tin Pan Alley romance, including classic tunes like Irving Berlin's "How Deep Is the Ocean?" and Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away From Me." The trio format works well for Krall — especially since the other two-thirds of her group consists of bassist Christian McBride and guitarist Russell Malone. McBride's full-toned walking lines complement Krall's rich alto perfectly, and he's rhythmic enough to compensate for the absence of a percussionist.

As for Krall, she sounds even better here than she did on All for You, although she's playing less piano. Terry Teachout has described her voice as "wild honey with a spoonful of Scotch," and it's difficult to pen a more fitting description. She has a sweet, warm tone — earthy but smooth. She handles the mid-tempo swingers with a smart sense of phrasing and delivers a deadpan rendition of "Peel Me a Grape." This is Krall at her very best — sexy, comical, and a bit sinister, articulating each word with theatrical flair.

— Nate Chinen