Diana Krall When I Look In Your Eyes CD

Live Recording

Personnel includes: Diana Krall (vocals, piano); Johnny Mandel (arranger, conductor); Eddie Karam (conductor); Larry Bunker (vibraphone); Russell Malone (guitar); John Clayton, Ben Wolfe (bass); Jeff Hamilton, Lewis Nash (drums).
Producers: Tommy LiPuma, Johnny Mandel, David Foster.
Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, New York.
WHEN I LOOK IN YOUR EYES won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance and for Best Engineered Album, Non Classical. WHEN I LOOK IN YOUR EYES was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Album Of The Year.
With this CD, the young Canadian singer/pianist/arranger joins forces with producer Tommy LiPuma, who places his orchestral stamp on eight of the 13 tracks. It is the latest attempt to push Krall to an even wider pop/smooth jazz audience than she already enjoys. After all, Nat Cole, Wes Montgomery, and George Benson, among others, went this route. Wonder if she'd agree the cuts sans strings were more fun and challenging? Krall does get to it with central help from bassists John Clayton and Ben Wolfe, drummers Jeff Hamilton and Lewis Nash, and guitarist Russell Malone, all stellar players. Krall's voice is sweet and sexy. She's also flexible within her range and at times a bit kitschy, mostly the hopeless romantic. On this CD of love songs, it's clear she's cool but very much in love with this music. Bob Dorough's "Devil May Care" and the insistent "Best Thing for You" really click. Favorites are a decent Shearing-esque "Let's Fall in Love" with vibist Larry Bunker; a suave slow bossa on the opening number, "Let's Face the Music"; the lusher-than-lush title track; and especially an incredible horn-fired fanfare intro/outro on the hip "Pick Yourself Up." Some might call this fluff or mush, but it depends solely on your personal taste. This will certainly appeal to Krall's fans, lovers, and lovers at heart. ~ Michael G. Nastos
WHEN I LOOK IN YOUR EYES, a 1999 Verve release, heralds the return of the cool and groovy Latin-tinged jazz of the '60s. Upon hearing the opening track, a bossa-nova-fied version of Irving Berlin's "Let's Face The Music And Dance," one might think he had accidentally put on a Getz/Gilberto record. In fact, it's hard to avoid comparing Krall's breathy alto to that of Astrud Gilberto-particularly on the more samba-flavored numbers.
But Krall ultimately resists comparisons. Her simultaneously textured and smooth tone, warm timbre, and conversational phrasing mark her as unique. The set of standards here, including "Let's Fall In Love," "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "Pick Yourself Up" among others, is enhanced by fine session musicians and Johnny Mandel's tasteful arrangements. While Krall is more than comfortable with a sly swing (Michael Franks' "Popsicle Toes"), it is the stirring ballads-like the title track-that show her skill to best advantage. Krall is a considerable talent, and the time-tested, well-loved sound that characterizes these tracks should ensure her success.

Entertainment Weekly (6/11/99, p.69) - "...silken set of familiar standards....the best-selling stylist demonstrates the quiet strength of her understated delivery." - Rating: B