Diana Krall - Live in Paris [Jazz-Vocal][mp3 320][h33t][schon55]

Diana Krall - Live in Paris

Audio CD (October 1, 2002)
Format: Live
Label: Umvd Labels
Bitrate: 320 kbps

LIVE IN PARIS won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Recorded at the historic Olympia Theatre in Paris in November 2001, this is Diana
Krall's first live album. Backed by her quicksilver combo of bassist John Clayton,
drummer Jeff Hamilton, and guitarist John Pisano (on some tracks), Krall's jazz
heritage comes through loud and clear on this program of standards, ballads, and
bossa novas. On Peggy Lee's "I Love Being Here with You," Bob Dorough's "Devil May
Care," and Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon," Krall's snappy, postbop piano
playing shows off her debt to Nat "King" Cole and Jimmy Rowles. Her cool contralto
vocals are illuminated by the Orchestre Symphonique Europeen, under the direction
of Alan Broadbent, as well as the London Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Claus
Ogerman. Krall's deep take on Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You" is a great choice for
an encore, and the CD concludes with Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" (a studio
track from a film called The Guru), with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker and
bassist Christian McBride. This collection only hints at what Diana Krall has to
offer in the future.~ Eugene Holley Jr.

Boy, am I glad I bought the "Live in Paris" CD. I was hesitant at first, because
except for Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are", I already own all of DK's
recordings of the songs in this set, as well as the DVD version of the concert.
However, the repertoire is lovingly pared down to a well-rounded selection from the
original nearly two-hour performance. And without the visual distraction of
watching gorgeous Diana in person, it hit me how much more punch the live versions
pack over the pristine-perfect studio versions. That's not to say the live sound
quality isn't extraordinary: it is. But Diana's delivery itself is so intense,
focused, and emotional, it's truly like hearing the songs for the first time. In
particular, "A Case of You" and "Maybe You'll Be There" are so heartfelt, direct,
just this side of the tragic, even the ever-so-slight silent beats speak volumes.
These renditions alone would be worth the price of the CD. But every song is is
stunning and exciting.

"Live in Paris" epitomizes the skill that Diana brings to music interpretation that
is so lacking in today's bellowing, acrobatic "American Idol" approach, where all
the lyrical meaning is obliterated to Kingdom Come.

I have some pop-music enthusiast friends who are perplexed by Diana's ingratiation
into mainstream pop. They find her "scotch and wild honey" contralto too unlike the
current acceptable music trends. They just don't get it! Listening to DK is like
sitting across from her at a table in an intimate cafe while she confides all of
life's intimacies. Then she turns around and sets your heart pounding with an up-
tempo number like "East of the Sun" or "Devil May Care".

If you were like me and held off on buying "Live in Paris" because you thought you
had it all, here is all that and more. Do yourself a favor and get it. As they say
in Paree, it's the creme de la creme. ~ J. R. South

This live concert CD has nothing but good things to recommend it and I would say to
anyone who likes standards done right as well as terrific bossa nova arrangements
done by the masterful Claus Ogerman - that you can simply do no wrong in buying
this audio CD. Not to mention that Diana Krall is quite an accomplished musician
and her jazz piano skills really impressed me in this concert. The only thing that
has me puzzled, however, is why a non-live (studio recorded) Billy Joel track was
subsituted for the wonderful Nat King Cole-inspired "Love Letters" (also arranged
and conducted by Ogerman). I do not see a reason for this subsitution on the audio
CD.

If you are driving around in your car or want to listen to good music while you are
traveling, the audio CD is definitely the way to go. However, if you are home or
have access to a DVD player in your location, nothing beats the DVD of this concert
- where you can see as well as hear these first-rate musicians play, almost as if
you were attending the concert yourself (with some considerable advantage to the
DVD viewer with the excellent camera angles provided). ~ Barbara J. Major

The opening tune is a Peggy Lee/William Schluger composition called "I LOVE BEING
HERE WITH YOU", featuring some great vocalizing by Krall and tickling the ivory's
that only she can, her back up is Anthony Wilson (guitar), John Clayton (bass) and
Jeff Hamilton (drums) shades of the King Cole Trio come to mind. Smooth sounds of
"LET'S FALL IN LOVE", a classic standard by Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler sends the
listener into the realm of pure ecstasy. Mesmerizing and tranquil vibes within an
original style in this Burt Bacharach/Hal David "THE LOOK OF LOVE", sends a message
of sensual feelings that Krall brings to the surface ~ must make mention this
sounds better "Live", something in Krall's voice gives this more substance.
Some stand outs ~ "I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN", nothing can top this Cole Porter
selection that only two people I know give this their own signature, of course
Frank Sinatra is the first and now Diana Krall comes to the forefront, not bad
company to be in---beautiful arrangement by Alan Broadbent music director,
conductor of the Orchestre Symphonique Europeen, this song really gets under your
skin, gotta love it. Some great jazz piano on "DEVIL MAY CARE", Krall and her group
are really having a swinging good time, and it shows. One of my all-time favorite
songs is "MAYBE YOU'LL BE THERE", songwriters Rube Bloom/Sammhy Gallop hit the mark
with words and music, Diana takes it to a higher level with this intimate
arrangement.

My highlight pick is "A CASE OF YOU", love this song, love Joni Mitchell
(artist/composer) and Love Diana Krall with the lyrics pouring from her soul, this
song especially shows what a terrific singer she is. Another highlight has to be
"JUST THE WAY YOU ARE", the never to be forgotten Billy Joel hit, Krall and her
style take over, she's right at home with this one. If you're not a fan by this
time, there is no hope for you. This album is a keeper for the jazz-buff in all of
us, take it from me this is well worth the money and then some. ~ J. Lovins

Personnel:
Jeff Hamilton
Diana Krall - vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano
Lewis Nash - drums
John Clayton
Anthony Wilson - guitar
Alan Broadbent - conductor
Orchestra Symphonique European
Ron Mounsey - keyboards
Also: Paulinho Da Costa, Michael Brecker, Christian McBride, John Pisano

Diana Krall - Live in Paris Tracks:

01 I Love Being Here With You
02 Let's Fall in Love
03 'Deed I Do
04 Look of Love, The
05 East of the Sun (And West of the Moon)
06 I've Got You Under My Skin
07 Devil May Care
08 Maybe You'll Be There
09 S'Wonderful
10 Fly Me to the Moon
11 Case of You, A
12 Just the Way You Are - (studio)