Diana Krall
"Again, music is a matter of taste. No rights and no wrongs." While each individual has the right to consume whatever suits their individual tastes, there are standards of excellence in the arts that must be maintained and recognized. Not everyone possesses the ability to recognize or appreciate true artistic ability. But there are "rights and wrongs" even if everyone doesn`t have the ability to recognize it. |
I’ll be experiencing my 80th year this coming summer. And ... I’m still blessed with excellent hearing. I’ve been a jazz fan since the middle 50’s when I was still in high school and frequenting the local jazz clubs as a teenager here in Southern California. I’m a Diana Krall fan. While she doesn’t have the "voice" of Dinah Washington ( Blue Gardenia), June Christy (Something Cool), the phrasing of Billy Holiday, or dare I say, an equal to the late, great, Sarah Vaughn, she still has that sultriness that good female jazz singers should have. IMO, DK is a much better pianist than a singer. Over the years, I’ve learned to listen between the notes and have discovered that what a musician doesn’t play is just as important, if not more important, than what they do play. Miles is a good case in point. DK does a fine job with silence between the notes as well. Singers like DK are a matter of taste. There is no right or wrong here. I really like DK and have plenty of her recordings including some bootlegs. How about a private New Years Eve party where she sang for friends? I have it. Or another recording where she is overcoming the flu, sneezing and coughing throughout the performance? I have that one too.Her "Live in Paris" CD is really, really good to my ears ... I think its her best album. But then, I have just about everything Julie London recorded as well. Not all of Julie London’s work was great ... the best IMO was the album on which she sang "Cry Me a River." That album made her name. She was heavily promoted by her husband Bobby Troup. https://www.ebay.com/itm/JULIE-LONDON-Julie-is-her-name-great-cover-and-Play-Tested-LP/401498614784?... https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=bobby+troup&_osacat=11233&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l... Want to hear an obscure jazz singer who showed a lot of promise before she dropped out of the scene? Try Joanie Sommers: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=joannie+sommers&_sacat... Joanie was two years behind me in high school where she used to sing at our assemblies. Jazz muscians loved to play as her accompaniment because her jazz phrasings were so good. A real cutie too. Again, music is a matter of taste. No rights and no wrongs. Frank |
I am listening to an album titled "The Love I’m In" by Kate Reid. Kate Reid has a very similar style as Diana Krall but Kate is so much better at phrasing and emotion. If you like Diana you owe it to yourself to listen to this album by Kate Reid. You can easily find her on any of the streaming services. These two artists are so close in style it is amazing but so far apart in "soulfulness". Just listen to "With Every Breath I Take" from this album or almost any other cut. This album is so much better than anything I have heard from Diana but so very similar in style that it is a real education listening to both artists. |
@schubert
"That said , there have been many singers with little talent that have had great careers lasting well over a decade or three .
" Sir, if you are in any way implying that Ms. Krall has "little talent", then you are blindingly misguided. We just say her last night at the Carpenter Theater, and the performance was astounding. Yes, astounding. Center stage, 9 rows back. Live music at its very very best. Comparisons of DK to historic jazz personalities like Shirley Horne are simply not helpful, and really, rather silly. Ms. Krall is her own person, her own presence, her own "thing". She brings us a smooth, sultry, silky, soulful voice that is a real pleasure to hear. Her phrasing is delightful, presentation is flawless. It is not and should never be a "this person sings jazz better" issue, different artists, are just that, different. But Diana Krall's importance to the jazz world does not start and stop with her voice. Indeed, it is just the beginning. Her prowess as a Jazz pianist is well recognized by her peers on its own! She was fantastic on the keys....and make no mistake, she leads her band! The eye contact, the smiles from one band member to another as they traded solo's and moved from section to section was very apparent. But make no mistake, she leads this band. And what a band it is. I'm sure you are familiar with Anthony Wilson who is with her so often. I never tire of watching him play. Robert Hurst on bass.....7X grammy winner nuff said. And what a surprise Stuart Duncan was, we were literally shell shocked by his frankly unbelievable contribution. Look him up if you don't know who he is. Diana is a master of featuring each of her musicians, it's a total presentation. I think very few of your jazz diva's endeavored to provide this type of musically holistic leadership. In a tender moment last night, Diana gave a great tribute to Shirley Horne as she introduced one of Shirley's standards. It was not only respectful, but an amazing rendition, her style. Fantastic. Isn't that part of what music is all about? |
I opened to read this discussion because I too am a big Diana Krall fan. But after reading some of the posts I just put on Shirley Horn "I Love you Paris" and I must say its right up there with the best of them. Hadn't listened to it in a long long time but it will be going to the frequently visited list for sure!! |
rpeluso OP Thanks. Not a big fan of her music, as I remember it growing up, but I’ll check it out. My current reference is Heart’s song Dream of the Archer, so I’m thinking something along those lines. I saw Ann Wilson perform it live in her prime when I was younger and her voice was astounding. But Little Queen is not a particularly special recording. I’m waiting for a new doom metal release by Oceans of Slumber, due out March 2nd. If that is a great recording, the song The Banished Heart could become my reference for female vocals. But I’m not holding my breath. |
Music - that is why I spent a lot money, at least to me, on the best system I could afford. It is why I am on this forum - to learn about good music and how to make it sound amazing, and maybe share what little I can offer. Let’s let the beauty of the end result speak for itself. I just listened to Diana Krall, Live in Paris, which I found on this forum. Thank you! To me, it was fun, lovely, and even beautiful in parts. She seemed to recognize and appreciate the great musicians who played her songs. Most omportantly, it sounds amazing. To me, nothing else is important. Please keep sharing your music finds, and dont let negativity stop you. I promise I won’t like everything you do, and vice versa. So what? |
Hifiman5, You made my day with your post about getting into Karen Souza. Her music is in constant rotation in my system. I lament the negative posts in response to the OP's perfectly honest question. He digs her and simply wanted to share that awareness with others on his music forum -- he did not ask for feedback. What purpose does it serve yourself or anyone else to denigrate such a widely-acclaimed jazz artist? Take a deep breath and think about what the effect might be when you post such snarky comments. My feeling is that it is bad karma. |
Nothing negative here! On my way to see her tonight (Raleigh/Durham) for the 4th time. Interesting to hear that theres more players. The earlier shows I saw were small arrangements like Trio. As for stage presence I obviously like her shows. I do remember my first one at Radio City Music Hall shortly after she was becoming a little more well known. I bet she didn't say 3 sentences all night. Played awesome show and got up and left. She didn't have to say anything cause the nailed it in playing. I couldn't be happier. She talks a little more these days and tells stories. As for recordings I have them all including the Christmas album. Yeah I'm a fan! |
@whitestix Thanks for mentioning Karen Souza. I looked her up on Amazon, listened to several samples and ordered her 3 CD "The Collection" for $12 and change! What a deal!! She has a unique sound. Everything I heard had a very bluesy vibe to it. She purposely sings just off the note and then slides up to the note. Sort of a vocal approach to what Gershwin was well known for doing instrumentally. She takes a very unique approach to well known songs from various artists. Should be a fun music adventure. |
jssmith, thanks for your thoughts; I don't have a need to be supported in my view, but am surprised, still, that my...oh never mind, you're right. My point was about a live show, not a recording. An experience at a live music event. I would have expected others who saw her live to agree or disagree, not a discussion about the value or lack of value of her artistry. Its how way off track a discussion about a live performance went that surprises me, but I seem to be the minority there, so okay. I also am disturbed by the nastiness that gets spread around, not only here, but all over. You may like Slayer, I may not, but I wouldn't even think about replying to your post (if it had happened) with a negative view of that band. Just wouldn't. Its not the disagreeing that bothered me, its the fact that it was not the point. Sorry. |
rpeluso OP ...Still I marvel that this post, initiated by me, was about a pleasant experience at a live concert event. Nothing more than that. BUT, I continue to be fascinated by the drive/urge/compulsion of some to crap all over others. And at times quite depressed by that same behavior. I truly don’t get why you have a need for everyone to support you. A forum doesn’t work well if it’s just an echo chamber. If I had posted "I went to a Slayer concert" I would fully expect to have my musical choice lambasted on this forum and would not have a problem with that, as everyone has a subjective opinion about music. If you only want one-way discussion, maybe next time you should title your subject "xxx (no dissenters)". I read your thread because the audiophile obsession with Diana Krall (and others) fascinates me, as I don’t see a stand-out talent. I’m interested in what it is about her, besides the recording quality, that draws them in. I’m always hoping a dissenter will point out a quality recording of what I consider good female vocals. I’m glad you had a wonderful time. |
frogman Agree. Which is why I use a couple of songs I normally don't listen to for demoing speakers. Just to find what their potential is in case I get a phenomenal recording in the music I do listen to. And let's not lie ... it's to show off to curious guests also. How many of us love to see that expression on their faces and that familiar phrase "sounds like they're in the room". However, these recordings must also be within my tolerance musically. I don't care how good it sounds, if it bores the crap out of me, I'm not playing it. All these audiophile soft jazz, easy listening selections fall into that category for me. Especially if they don't have a talent that stands out as virtuosic. But like I said, to each their own. |
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I am a huge fan of DK, no question. She has an evocative voice and such wonderful phasing... and she plays the piano at the same time. I have all her recordings. My pal loves Patty Barber and she is excellent, but to my ears, she is too analytical, but acknowledge that she is fabulous. Another jazz singer that I absolutely adore is Karen Souza.... her cover of "Every Breath You Take" is fabulous. |
ps, thank you for these statements; there is an enormous difference between those who create and those who consume and denigrate, as you so perfectly stated here. The person who posted the quote from a review referencing Liberace, well that one is worthy of a psychology advanced degree dissertation, so easy for me to see, so difficult for others. Wait, am I as arrogant as some here? Could that be true? But my disdain for critics who have zero talent themselves is unbounded. Still I marvel that this post, initiated by me, was about a pleasant experience at a live concert event. Nothing more than that. BUT, I continue to be fascinated by the drive/urge/compulsion of some to crap all over others. And at times quite depressed by that same behavior. |
@schubert "Everybody Creates , it’s human nature ." Clearly, Schubert, I was referring to artistic creation- not some amorphous "everybody." Here’s a snippet of a quote from Gordon Torr, a man who knows more than a little about creativity: "Believing that everyone has the capacity to be just as creative as the next person is as ludicrous as believing that everyone has the capacity to be just as intelligent as the next person, yet it has become almost universally accepted as a truism." All I’m saying is that it’s much too easy for those who merely consume to denigrate creators. And, at best, it’s tiresome. One thing that is generally true, though: "Everybody" has an opinion. :) But to get back on topic, I think Diana Krall is super. :) |
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Isn’t Randy and his shop a treat, minorl?! He looks like a completely different person with his hair and beard gone---use to look like a damn hippie, now like a little old man ;-). He has a great sounding room and system, and is as nice a guy as you could know. I bought a used ARC LS-1 from Randy way back in the early 90’s, and was at his first shop (which had a co-owner) once, when they were having their close-out sale, right around the corner on Pacific Coast Highway, an apartment with a picture window that looked out on the Santa Monica beach. His room at the Hi-Fi shows is always one of the very best sounding, and he brings lots of great music on LP with which to demo his ARC/Vandersteen system. |
I don’t know anyone here well enough to be singling anyone out; I am not. This is just a general observation that I started to make in an earlier post and decided it was best to not go there; it certainly doesn’t apply in all cases. Imo, some audiophile/music lovers do not do a good enough job of separating the “ear-candy” appeal of some recordings from its intrinsic musical value when making an assessment of the recording’s or the artist’s musical merit. DK’s recordings are generally very well recorded and in a way that appeals to the audiophile’s sensibilities. Conversely, some artists whose recordings are generally not as “impressive” in the sonics department are sometimes bumped down a notch or two (or more) in spite of being on a considerably higher level of musicality. |
I was in Santa Monica yesterday for a meeting and had a little time to kill afterwards. So, I went to Optimal Enchantment to talk with Randall. The equipment and systems that he has in his one room store/listening room are nothing short of amazing. I just needed a few moments to relax and talk and hear some great music and equipment. Very top of the line stupidly expensive Basis turntable and tone arm with a stupidly expensive cartridge, into Audio Research REF 10 phono stage and Audio Research REF 10 pre-amp, then into Vandersteen audio model 7 with Vandersteen amps. He played Diana Krall live in Paris. That was absolutely the best live recording I have every heard. the Engineers and sound recording technicians really knew their stuff. The worries of the day evaporated and with Diana Krall, Grant Green and Dean Martin playing I was there. I heard the same system a few months earlier and he used the same setup but with Audio Research REF 250 SE amps. that system completely disappeared. I can't say the same with the Vandersteen Amps. Don't get me wrong, I'll take the Vandersteen model 7's and his amps without hesitation. They were great. But, just had to post here that Diana Krall live in Paris is absolutely a great two album set. I ordered it immediately upon returning home. If you have a chance to stop in on Randall at his shop in Santa Monica, you won't find a more knowledgeable and likeable person. enjoy |
Put me in the camp of "I don't get it". I don't understand why audiophiles are fascinated with her.
I don't think she has a good classic voice. She just kind of - talks. But to each his own. Not my type of music either, except maybe as background music at a nice restaurant, but that's beside the point. I can appreciate great artists in unfavored genres, like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. I just don't see it here. But then again, I don't get the audiophile fascination with screamers like Aretha Franklin or foggy vocals by Norah Jones either. |
DK is harmonically flat, even by Jazz standards that have no interesting harmonies. (I am using harmony in the musical sense of Chords.) - score 0/10. Melodically I find her uninteresting - maybe 4/10. Rhythm: nothing sophisticated 1/10. All in all a bore. Voice is excellent - at least 7/10. Malcolm Steward writing for Hi-Fi Choice gave her a great roasting. One of his comments was along the lines (I will try to quote from memory): "... and don't get me started on her sub-Liberace piano tinkling." !! Her backing 'band' have all the enthusiasm of men heading off to have vasectomies from a blind surgeon with Parkinson's. |
