Kitchener, ON, Centre In The Square, 26 Apr 2009

[narrow daylight]

Tickets: http://ev9.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce ... RDAT=ELIST

[Bud]

http://news.therecord.com/printArticle/527270



Genuine emotion drives Krall performance TheRecord.com - News - Genuine emotion drives Krall performance

By Robert Reid, Record staff
KITCHENER — Diana Krall has climbed to the highest branches of the contemporary jazz tree, but she remains deeply rooted.

In other words, you can take Krall out of Nanaimo, B.C. But you can’t take her hometown out of the 44-year-old jazz diva.

And that remains one of her most endearing traits.

The most poignant moments during her concert Sunday at Centre in the Square were when she talked about her family — husband Elvis Costello and two-year-old, twin sons — or introduced songs either written or performed by some of her musical “heroes.”

It would have sounded like name-dropping, but Krall is so grounded and devoid of airs that it was clear she was simply paying homage to the artists who have influenced her music.

Attired in a formal black dress, she walked on stage with her superb combo consisting of guitarist Anthony Wilson, bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Jeff Hamilton.

Krall has always assembled top-draw accompanists and this trio is no exception. She gave them lots of room to strut their chops and they took full advantage of every opportunity.

The classic jazz quartet setting provided the foreground to the large canvas of the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra, conducted buy Alan Broadbent.

Krall has described her latest album Quiet Nights as erotic, womanly and sensual. She’s right — as far as she goes.

What the album is really about is love — her great theme.

This was reflected in her concert, which unfolded like one long love letter delivered with passion, wit and impeccable taste.

Krall has become a richer, more expressive vocalist as she has matured.

Her voice, while sultry, sexy and breathy, never comes across as stagy or artificial. She folds back the covers romantic ballads to reveal genuine emotion.

Krall opened and concluded her 110-minute concert (without intermission) with two songs written by Peggy Lee — I Love Being Here with You and I Don’t Know Enough About You.

She answered her double standing ovation with Burt Bacharach’s and Hal David’s The Look of Love.

It was her second Bacharach/David composition. She introduced Walk on By by recalling that she once had dinner with Bacharach — “nice hair,” she quipped.

Only four of the 15 songs she performed were drawn from Quiet Nights — Where or When, I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face and Walk on By, in addition to the title track.

One of the concert highlights was when she talked about Costello before slipping into a slow, languid and tender I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face.

“I got married,” she noted, causing ripples of laughter throughout the capacity crowd. “I never thought it would happen. I have a great husband.”

She told a lovely story about writing a letter to Oscar Peterson (which her mother has saved) when she was 16 years old. She eventually visited the jazz legend at his home where they played tunes by Nat King Cole.

Then it was an inspired I Was Doing All Right, which Peterson recorded with Louis Armstrong.

Krall demonstrated her breadth as a song interpreter, offering a selection of smouldering romantic ballads, up-tempo swing compositions and sultry bossa novas.

Interestingly, she didn’t mention her 12th studio release once during the concert, even though programs were hawked before the show like hot dogs at a ball game.

rreid@therecord.com

[scottb]

I was there in the 8th row with my 15 yr.old daughter and my wife. My daughter said she felt very young as most of the crowd was well over 50.

The article is very accurate. DK played a lot of her older songs in a more sultry rendition, more like her newer cd. She did also play several songs in a more jazzy version typical when she plyas live. Anthony, Jeff and Robert looked like they were having a lot of fun and kept joking around. Jeff had a huge smile on his face most of the night. All three went off on solos in several of the songs.

Hamilton Orchestra was very good and the strong string sections added to the tunes especially Look of Love.

All round an excellent night.

[Coda]

Thanks for your comments, Scott. I'm glad you enjoyed the show.

[Bud]

Appreciate the recap Scott. Nice that you and your daughter went together...

[narrow daylight]

Some clips on YouTube:
Love Being Here With You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMJoPHnsG1Q
Let's Fall In Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA0UYKGskHw

[scottb]

Thanks, we missed seeing DK many years ago in Kitchener and swore I wouldn't miss her this close to home again. After Hamilton GITOR tour and the Toronto Jazz concerts couple of years ago, it was nice driving less than 1/2 hour to the show. My daughter has done piano for many years and is now doing vocal lessons ( awesome voice ), piano, guitar, vocal at high school, instrumantal ( bass clarinet) at high school, school choir, band, ....... she had to go see DK live to get some more inspiration.... besides the one real connection I have with my little girl is musical ability and I like to enjoy that as much as I can

Out of the 3 live shows I've been to, this one was probably the most enoyable. I like seeing the performers more relaxed and enjoying themselves, and looking like they are having fun playing rather than trying for perfection.. Alan Broadbent ( Hamilton Orch ) seemed to be having fun trying to figure out when he was to cue the orchestra or just let the others play away.....