London Free Press: Cathartic chords
Posted: 22 May 2004, 12:17Cathartic chords
Canadian jazz artist Diana Krall's beautiful collection of new songs came out of loss and romance.
About a year and a half ago, Diana Krall picked up a Paul Simon songbook. The pianist and well-known interpreter of jazz standards was searching for new inspiration, searching for material for an upcoming album to follow her Grammy-winning Live in Paris.
She chuckles when reminded by an onlooker of the songbook purchase and how far her new record, The Girl in the Other Room (Verve/Universal), is from Simon's work.
"It's part of the creative process," Krall says. "I check out a bazillion things and then go back. I still enjoy There Goes Rhymin' Simon. I just didn't find anything this time."
Instead, Krall's latest record is a beautiful collection of blood-and-guts, soul-baring songs created during a time of discord in the 39-year-old's life. Emotions collided as the fiercely private Krall experienced the painful loss of her mother and the blissful honeymoon period of a new romance with British rocker Elvis Costello, which was intensely followed by the media.
Krall plays the 3,000-seat RBC Theatre at the John Labatt Centre on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. as part of her cross-Canada tour.
The experiences provided the ingredients for savoury songs such as Narrow Daylight, I've Changed My Address, I'm Coming Through and Departure Bay, marking Krall's first foray into songwriting. She had previously released a few of her instrumental compositions.
Half of the album's dozen songs were written by the couple, who married in December. The others are hand-picked selections from some of Krall's favourite artists, including Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt and Costello.
Earlier this week, The Girl in the Other Room claimed the Canadian chart's No. 1 spot on sales of 14,800, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It is her seventh studio effort and the followup to her smash hit 2001 CD The Look of Love.
"I feel pretty fortunate that I can express myself, get my feelings out through words and music," Krall says.
"Hopefully, it's a cathartic process that helps you grow as an artist."
She says the hardest part was waiting for the public's reaction to her new work.
"Now, hopefully, I'll have even more artistic freedom for the next record, to just have the confidence to say 'OK, I'm going to take a risk again,' " Krall says. "It's more interesting than clinging on to an image."
Some critics have accused the singer of straying too far from her jazz roots. But she won't take any of that commentary to heart.
"Everybody has the right to their opinions, including the public who buy your records. Not everybody is going to like what you do, but you do an honest record."
Krall and Costello spent many months at Krall's home on Vancouver Island. Old Super-8 films from her childhood, including scenes where a young Krall skipped rocks with her dad, swayed the chanteuse to write about her surroundings, including Nanaimo's Departure Bay.
"You come back and you see things differently. Elvis pointed out the words 'Departure Bay.' Michelle (her sister) and I just never thought it would be significant. It almost sounds too good to be true."
It also helped to have a new set of eyes to look through. Costello provided Krall with the support to reveal some of herself through lyrics.
"It was very satisfying spiritually and artistically," she says. "Elvis is amazing, isn't he? We talked about these things and certain experiences that we had . . . he just takes the story that you write and writes more than a script, (he) writes a wonderful play."
With its raw vocals and dark mood, the record is somewhat of a risk for the singer, who made a name for herself interpreting sultry romantic jazz ballads. But it seems to be paying off.
The delicate Narrow Daylight is giving Krall her first taste of commercial radio. It's becoming a hit on adult contemporary radio stations, unprecedented for the star. "It's quite a surprise. I'm kind of overwhelmed by the whole thing," says a beaming Krall.
So how has she been opening her shows?
The answer, at least early in the tour, has been a surprise choice. It shows off Krall's work at the piano and reveals she still enjoys going back to her jazz roots.
"(It's) a song I wrote called Sometimes I Just Freak Out. It's not on the record because it's an instrumental. It was inspired by the (legendary jazz drummer) Art Blakey records I was listening to."
IF YOU GO
What: Concert by Canadian jazz/pop singer Diana Krall, accompanied by drummer Peter Erskine, guitarist Anthony Wilson and bassist Robert Hurst
Where: RBC Theatre at the John Labatt Centre
When: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $100, $85, $65 plus service charges where applicable; available in-person at the centre's box office or Ticketmaster outlets (Sunrise Records shops in London); by phone (488-1012); or online at www.ticketmaster.ca
Copyright © The London Free Press 2001,2002,2003
Source: http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/Today/2004/05/22/468493.html
Canadian jazz artist Diana Krall's beautiful collection of new songs came out of loss and romance.
About a year and a half ago, Diana Krall picked up a Paul Simon songbook. The pianist and well-known interpreter of jazz standards was searching for new inspiration, searching for material for an upcoming album to follow her Grammy-winning Live in Paris.
She chuckles when reminded by an onlooker of the songbook purchase and how far her new record, The Girl in the Other Room (Verve/Universal), is from Simon's work.
"It's part of the creative process," Krall says. "I check out a bazillion things and then go back. I still enjoy There Goes Rhymin' Simon. I just didn't find anything this time."
Instead, Krall's latest record is a beautiful collection of blood-and-guts, soul-baring songs created during a time of discord in the 39-year-old's life. Emotions collided as the fiercely private Krall experienced the painful loss of her mother and the blissful honeymoon period of a new romance with British rocker Elvis Costello, which was intensely followed by the media.
Krall plays the 3,000-seat RBC Theatre at the John Labatt Centre on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. as part of her cross-Canada tour.
The experiences provided the ingredients for savoury songs such as Narrow Daylight, I've Changed My Address, I'm Coming Through and Departure Bay, marking Krall's first foray into songwriting. She had previously released a few of her instrumental compositions.
Half of the album's dozen songs were written by the couple, who married in December. The others are hand-picked selections from some of Krall's favourite artists, including Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt and Costello.
Earlier this week, The Girl in the Other Room claimed the Canadian chart's No. 1 spot on sales of 14,800, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It is her seventh studio effort and the followup to her smash hit 2001 CD The Look of Love.
"I feel pretty fortunate that I can express myself, get my feelings out through words and music," Krall says.
"Hopefully, it's a cathartic process that helps you grow as an artist."
She says the hardest part was waiting for the public's reaction to her new work.
"Now, hopefully, I'll have even more artistic freedom for the next record, to just have the confidence to say 'OK, I'm going to take a risk again,' " Krall says. "It's more interesting than clinging on to an image."
Some critics have accused the singer of straying too far from her jazz roots. But she won't take any of that commentary to heart.
"Everybody has the right to their opinions, including the public who buy your records. Not everybody is going to like what you do, but you do an honest record."
Krall and Costello spent many months at Krall's home on Vancouver Island. Old Super-8 films from her childhood, including scenes where a young Krall skipped rocks with her dad, swayed the chanteuse to write about her surroundings, including Nanaimo's Departure Bay.
"You come back and you see things differently. Elvis pointed out the words 'Departure Bay.' Michelle (her sister) and I just never thought it would be significant. It almost sounds too good to be true."
It also helped to have a new set of eyes to look through. Costello provided Krall with the support to reveal some of herself through lyrics.
"It was very satisfying spiritually and artistically," she says. "Elvis is amazing, isn't he? We talked about these things and certain experiences that we had . . . he just takes the story that you write and writes more than a script, (he) writes a wonderful play."
With its raw vocals and dark mood, the record is somewhat of a risk for the singer, who made a name for herself interpreting sultry romantic jazz ballads. But it seems to be paying off.
The delicate Narrow Daylight is giving Krall her first taste of commercial radio. It's becoming a hit on adult contemporary radio stations, unprecedented for the star. "It's quite a surprise. I'm kind of overwhelmed by the whole thing," says a beaming Krall.
So how has she been opening her shows?
The answer, at least early in the tour, has been a surprise choice. It shows off Krall's work at the piano and reveals she still enjoys going back to her jazz roots.
"(It's) a song I wrote called Sometimes I Just Freak Out. It's not on the record because it's an instrumental. It was inspired by the (legendary jazz drummer) Art Blakey records I was listening to."
IF YOU GO
What: Concert by Canadian jazz/pop singer Diana Krall, accompanied by drummer Peter Erskine, guitarist Anthony Wilson and bassist Robert Hurst
Where: RBC Theatre at the John Labatt Centre
When: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $100, $85, $65 plus service charges where applicable; available in-person at the centre's box office or Ticketmaster outlets (Sunrise Records shops in London); by phone (488-1012); or online at www.ticketmaster.ca
Copyright © The London Free Press 2001,2002,2003
Source: http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/Today/2004/05/22/468493.html
