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