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I just read a review about this concert and it said that Diana did not have a drummer with her? Sounds like Jeff Hamilton was sick; I hope nothing serious was wrong, but wanted to see if anyone out there had been to the show. It sounded like the reveiwer didn't like just hearing a 'trio'; but I know Diana's played as a trio on one of her albums and I thought she sounded just fine. I'm sure it was not an easy performance for them wondering how Jeff was doing. Anyway, if someone has more info that would be great. thanks!

I seem to remember someone mentioning in another post (don't remember which one) that they were going to the shows in Livermore and the Santa Rosa gig, I think. Obviously, no review has been posted.

Yeah, wonder what happened to Jeff.
Gundy, how 'bout posting the review you read?

mapache61 wrote:I seem to remember someone mentioning in another post (don't remember which one) that they were going to the shows in Livermore and the Santa Rosa gig, I think. Obviously, no review has been posted.

Yeah, wonder what happened to Jeff.
Gundy, how 'bout posting the review you read?

http://www.insidebayarea.com/bayarealiving/ci_6259887

Krall can't march to the beat of her missing drummer


REGULAR readers might be growing tired of seeing Diana Krall's name in this column.
That's understandable, since I have a tendency to mention the jazz vocalist-pianist about as frequently as our S.F. Giants beat writer brings up slugger Barry Bonds.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan — of Krall, not of Bonds — and I've been known to gush on and on about the pretty and talented superstar. This isn't one of those occasions.

I recently went to see Krall at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, which is one of the best spots for live music in the entire Bay Area. I was expecting another terrific performance, one that might even top the one I'd seen by the vocalist-pianist and her band earlier in the month at Yoshi's in Oakland.

I was also expecting to see Krall lead her regular quartet, featuring drummer Jeff Hamilton, guitarist Anthony Wilson and bassist John Clayton. That's the band that was so impressive at Yoshi's. And it's the one that Krall is supposed to be leading on her lengthy national tour.

Yet, it was a drummer-less Diana Krall trio that took the stage at the Mountain Winery. How important is a drummer? Well, if you have to ask then you probably didn't attend Krall's gigs at both Yoshi's and the Winery. The former was amazing. The latter was fairly pedestrian, as the band came across like three-fourths of a quartet more than an actual trio — and there's a huge difference.

Where was Hamilton? Maybe he was abducted by aliens.

Or perhaps he ran off and joined the circus. The crowd members — at least those who knew that Krall usually tours with a drummer — were left to make their best guesses.
The singer was strangely silent on the issue; in fact, she never even mentioned Hamilton's absence. (At least, she didn't say a peep about it during the first concert in the two-night stand at the Mountain Winery. I can't comment on the second night, since I wasn't there.)

Furthermore, folks at the venue couldn't provide an answer as to the drummer's whereabouts and Krall's publicist, who I contacted the following day, said he didn't know about the situation.

I later learned that Hamilton had taken ill during the previous night's concert at Wente Vineyards in Livermore. That information came courtesy of a few readers and a colleague who were at the show.

It sounds like the Livermore gig was even less of an artistic success than the Mountain Winery outing. I was surprised to read some of the postings on my Concert Blog (www.insidebayarea.com/music) about the Wente show.

"Diana Krall is a wonderful pianist and vocalist with a fabulous group of musicians onstage with her," wrote Sheri. "However, last night at Wente she was flat as a pancake with little connection to her audience. Granted, her drummer had to leave the stage early, but she never fully connected with us. There was no center, no energy, no passion."

A poster, Joe, was even less complimentary: "(Krall) was flat, had no energy and seemed to be sedated. I have been to hundreds of performances, all over the country, and this was clearly the worst concert and waste of money of all time. I hate it when someone takes advantage of anyone, especially me."

My experience wasn't nearly that bad. I thought Krall's drummer-less band did OK at the Mountain Winery. I just wish she would have been upfront with the audience about the situation. That would have helped explain why the musicians seemed somewhat out of sync and why the arrangements sounded a little sketchy.

Of course, Krall isn't required to be forthcoming with her crowds. But honesty is the best policy; at least, I bet that's what Krall will someday tell her two young boys.

Most importantly, I wish Hamilton a speedy recovery from whatever put him on the sidelines. Diana certainly missed him, even though she didn't say so in Saratoga. And the crowd missed him, too, even though some didn't know exactly what (or who) was missing.

Hopefully, things will be back to normal — or, at least, as normal as things get in the jazz world — by the time Krall rolls back to town to perform Aug. 15 at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. She'll also be part of the 50th anniversary festivities for the Monterey Jazz Festival, performing a main-stage set Sept. 22. For more on those events, check out http://www.ticketmaster.com and http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

thanks for posting that review as I'm still 'technically' challenged in some areas and need to work on that aspect!

"no energy, no passion." Nonsense!

To be honest, I did experience one flat DK performance a few years ago at UCLA Royce Hall. But Diana was sick (coughing off-mic frequently) and said so. Not a bad show. Just not the usual greatness, which was obviously understandable.

I'd be interested to read a forum member's take on Mtn Winery.

mapache61 wrote:"no energy, no passion." Nonsense!

Who said this?

Diana's drummer problems have a strange echo for long-time Elvis Costello fans. Back in 1985 Elvis traveled a lot with his soon-to-be wife Cait O'Riordan as she toured with her group The Pogues. Back then they were a rowdy lot and , ahem, 'casualties' amongst band-members were a common feature . A 'net account doesn't seem to be out there but somewhere in my cuttings folder I have one of Elvis standing in on the drums for a show in somewhere like Zurich, Switzerland. Since percussion for The Pogues required a mere bashing the hell out of the kit , no great expertise was required. Perhaps , in the case of Mr Hamilton ( and if Elvis was in winery last week) , it was judged that he might be too hard an act to follow!


By the way, later this week I travel to Liverpool and London to see Elvis in concert with Allen Toussaint and his band - can't wait!

Ok, unlike the Inside Bay reviewer, I WAS at the Winery both nights. I wanted to post reviews for all three shows I went to that week, but I am a busy girl and couldn't find the time, and now I couldn't do it justice. What songs were played where is a blur to me. However, I can confirm that, yes- Jeff was absent for the 1st Mtn. Winery Show. It was the Diana Krall Trio for that night. And, although the absence was notible both physically and musically, it in no way produced a "flat" performance. I kinda enjoyed seeing a DK work in a trio again. Jeff was present at the second show, and if he was ill, it sure didn't show. He blew people away with his solos, as usual.

I think the only thing that didn't work in the 1st Winery show was a "new" tune, as DK said, from 1932 she was trying out, which was "Cheek To Cheek". DK wasn't on her game with this song. I think she's still in the process of figuring it out. She hit a few clunker notes, which produced a great deal of snickering on her part. It really wasn't bad, but it definitely needs some polish.

The best part about Diana in concert this time around is that she's interacting with the audience more. She's quick and very funny. Example, she found the perfect response for those who insist on requesting "Peel Me A Grape". When asked, she says, "I don't need to sing that song anymore. I've found the PERFECT grape peeler." LOL. And, yes-her "grape peeler" was at both Winery shows.

And, when someone in the crowd yelled, "Go Canucks", she told the audience she was to sing the National Anthem ("Not YOURS!", She cracked) had the Canucks won. "But, they didn't win, plus they've said I'm too sexy to sing it." Then she made fun of her post-pregnancy body and her "work" attire (big caftan, jeans, and the ever-present high-heels), stating that she had to hide her body until her "sexy one" returned, but she assured us that "it's still in there, somewhere."

She glowingly talks about her babies. "They're the best thing to happen to me". At the second Mtn. Winery show, she told the crowd the kids are on solid food now. "Carrots- not that you would know".

As far as the set lists, those are a blur now. But, she's going way back to play most of the "All For You" cuts. In fact, at the second Winery show, she played "If I Had You" which I've never heard live. Not too much from "From This Moment On". She did 'Exactly Like You" and "Little Girl Blue", which received a standing O at the Winery. I think she played four songs from "FTMO" in the Santa Rosa show (Come Dance With Me, I Was Doing Alright, Exactly Like You, Little Girl Blue). In Santa Rosa, since it's "Snoopy Country", she quoted Vince Giraldi in the intro to "Little Girl Blue" (Christmastime is Here) and in her solo for "East of the Sun" (Linus and Lucy). She also did "Frim Fram Sauce", which I'd never heard live before.

I'm sorry I'm unable to give more detailed reviews of the shows. Needless to say, DK is in a great place personally and professionally and better than ever in terms of performing. So, those who have the opportunity to see her this time around, you're in for a treat.

You unable to give more detailed reviews of the shows? Don't worry about this, it's good! Thank you

TRXC, thanks for the review and setting the record straight. I'm jealous of your first show at Mtn Winery. I'm hip to the quartet, the CHJO, symphony orchestras, whatever DK wants. But sometimes miss the old trio dynamics.

Thanks for the recap TRX-C! It was nice to get the perspective of someone besides that reporter, who probably felt like he had a chance to balance out his usually very positive reviews of Diana.

What should she do if one of the band members falls ill? Its great that she pressed on with the remaining members, but what if she chose to treat everyone to a concert mainly with just her at the piano, with no rhythm section at all? I'm a little biased because I hope this is the format of a future album.

I was glad to hear another perspective on the concert too. I'm glad Jeff was back and healthy for the second night of the concert. Also, Bud I also would love to hear just Diana and her at the piano and wouldn't it make a terrific album! I agree whole heartedly!

hey !
1st things first : to all Americans: HAPPY belated 4TH OF JULY! (my country's is on the 9th, so we are close in the spirits of independence)

Ive been listening to a lot of Joshua Bell's music lately. (yes, that talented musician whose music passed unnoticed by thousands when he played incognito in a train station)
I was wondering if Diana has ever considered performing with Joshua ( may I add , very handsome guy, too ), or with another equally talented musician, should any of her musicians fall sick.

Sorry I havent been posting anything for awhile, as Ive been busy. Best to all!

Thanks, TRX-C, for the review. Your review sounds more believable to me than the other report -- and not just because I'm a fan. It's because Diana has done alot of work without a drummer, especially on the "All for You" album. So I'd expect that Diana would know how to handle a concert without a drummer. But I'm guessing that the reporter expected the fuller sound with a drummer and interpreted the different trio sound as "flat" instead of "different."