DianaKrallfans.com

Wow, wow, wow.

Eric in Long Beach got a preview of my review earlier today, but now I have time to sit down and say a few more words about last night's concert at the 'Jube'.

Those of you who know me from way back when (and I do mean 'way back when' - from the early, early days of P. Nish's site) know that there's one song that I've always hoped to hear DK perform live. (Okay, "A Case of You" was the other, but that one came later, and only because I discovered the amazingness that is Joni Mitchell). That song is 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams'. The closest I've come to this was when she released 'From This Moment On', and included a live version as a bonus track. I was resigned to the fact that I'd never hear this particular tune live, simply because she'd moved on with her material, and was not likely to re-visit older stuff, especially with the direction she'd taken with 'Glad Rag Doll'.

Here, I'll fully admit I was not thrilled to bits with this album. I've found the guitar to be overbearing and somewhat irritating, but found gems like 'Prairie Lullaby' to be irresistibly lovely. But (savvy concert-goer that I am...not) I know that a studio album means nothing when the artist hits the stage to perform the material live.

So, here's my plug: If you were underwhelmed by 'Glad Rag Doll', GO SEE HER LIVE. Do it. I'm telling you that you'll love it. I was laughing when I read the local paper's review of the concert when I got home this evening, because the writer touched upon something I've often thought about DK's stage presence, using one word in particular that I've used.

In my estimation, this is the most relaxed I've ever seen her. I don't know if it's because I was so close to her this time, or if she's just become such a veteran of the concert hall and truly does like being in Calgary, but she sounded like she was really having fun up there. I recall how she used to march onstage, almost coolly aloof and launch into a driving swing piece ('I Love Being Here With You' the stalwart intro - which she didn't play this time). It used to seem to me that first strut to the piano was all-business, no connection. This time, she made easy conversation and laughed a whole lot more than the other times I've seen her.

The concert reviewer for the Herald, Mike Bell, had this to say:

Krall has, over the year's [sic] become jaw-droppingly natural, sometimes silly, incredibly present, in-the-moment, and flat-out endearing. She's no longer aloof, as she was in her early days, or deserving of the diva tag that was earned mid-career, nor even the unattainable, lingerie-clad model adorning the cover of her latest album. She's merely a first-class performer who gives all of herself and so much more.

(So, yeah. That says it a whole lot nicer than I ever could.)

The crowd responded well to everything she played. There was no trace of that other reserved, almost apologetic and reluctant DK who played songs from 'The Girl in the Other Room', afraid that the audience would reject everything because it was a departure from her jazz roots. She was always at ease, and seemed happy to be able to talk about her mom's family's Alberta roots. There was even a moment when she caught a case of the giggles and could not stop laughing. (Some audience members apparently have naughty imaginations, but we'll leave it at that.)

I hope you get the opportunity to see her on this tour. Even though it is a departure of sorts from her earlier material, she still pleases everyone with her 'I Take Requests' portion. (The crowd here finally got 'Peel Me a Grape' for the first time in several years; it's like the song Calgarians most want to hear from her... She got a few shout outs for 'A Case of You', 'East of the Sun and West of the Moon', too, but she did not play them). At the request portion, yours truly screwed up her courage and bawled out for BOBD, not knowing that it was going to be part of her set list. She sort of shot me a scowly look as if to say: "Not that song... like, really?" So when the night was almost through and she introduces her next piece as one that was performed by Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett, well, I hardly dared to hope... and DK goes: "Someone requested this one earlier; I hope you're happy."

And she played it.

Yes, DK, I am very happy.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainm ... story.html

Diana Krall delights, entertains and enthralls


There are some who would say the idea of love is an outdated one.

It, our traditional, Shakespearean definition of it, is something that has long passed relevance, long stopped making any sense in the world that we now live.

It’s a concept that’s, well, quaintly antiquated.

If that’s the case — and, in this Kardashianed society, the argument is one you really don’t want to have — then there couldn’t have been a more fitting and wonderful way to ring in the consumer-tainted, Hallmark-hollow holiday meant to celebrate the dead idea than Canadian jazz ingenue Diana Krall’s delightful St. Valentine’s Eve show at the Jubilee.

It kicked the concept to the curb while celebrating it all the same, mocked while it wooed, pantsed while it seduced, and used the business end of the arrow to put that cherubic fraud Cupid in his candy-packing place.

It was a perfect evening of anti-love, for anti-lovers with songs of rain, sadness, heartbreak, betrayal and the flawed, facade of amour, and it was all-together worth hearing.

The stage was, quite literally set, as the Jube faithful walked into the room, which mirrored the themes of Krall’s excellent current release Glad Rag Doll, greeted by a crescent moon and red curtains, and the silver screen behind showing old-timey cartoon’s such as Betty Boop, with old-timey depictions of life in the age of once was.

As the house lights dimmed, the feature began, with a short film of Steve Buscemi, bringing Krall and her magnificent five-piece into the room, to perform stirring and dreamy opener When the Curtain Comes Down.

Cinematic. Splendid.

And the rest of the evening was equal to the tone, eclipsing it often, with more moody, motion picture projections, memorable musical moments and, more importantly, the star of the show herself, who shone brighter than ever.

Krall has, over the year’s, become jaw-droppingly natural, sometimes silly, incredibly present, in-the-moment, and flat-out endearing. She’s no longer aloof, as she was in her early days, or deserving the diva tag that was earned mid-career, nor even the unattainable, lingerie-clad model adorning the cover of her latest album. She’s merely a generous entertainer, a first-class performer who gives all of herself and so much more.

From her rambling, often goofy stream-of-consciousness song introductions and stories about summering in the Pincher Creek area at her uncle’s pig farm to a shoutout to students from local Lord Beaverbrook High School with whom she collaborated on with the children’s book From Blue to Red and a mid-set call for requests as she sat, solo at an upright piano, Krall was a lovable heroine every heterosexual man wanted to be with, every woman wanted to be (some, presumably, also with).

But to say that her persona outshone the actual music would be mischaracterizing the show, which was as much action as it was non-rom-com. It’s hard to remember a better paced, more engaging evening of song that’s hit the city than the two-hour-plus, no-intermission, no-opener-needed concert.

It wasn’t sleepy or maudlin, pink-hued, AC jazz to spoon and snooze to. It was everything but.

Krall and Co. showed they could flat-out rock as they did with: a gnarly version of Tom Waits’ Temptation; an angry, bloody, bruised and heartbrokenly epic version of Lonely Avenue; a skronky-tonk take on I’m A Little Mixed Up; a brilliant encore jam on The Band’s Ophelia; and an amazing cover of the classic Ain’t No Sweet Man That’s Worth the Salt of My Tears, that climaxed with her giggling, “This ain’t your daddy’s music.”

When they went jazz, they swung hot ’n’ hard and/or suitably soft, including the fiddle-led Just You, Just Me that bounded about the room as playfully as Pan, and a simmering, bohemian version of Tony Bennett’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams

And, stripped of that skilful band — which, seriously, it’s hard to praise enough — the energy didn’t even remotely flag, as Krall, her smokey yet pure pipes, those fabulous not flashy fingers, made magic out of Peel Me A Grape, Fly Me to the Moon and Fats Waller’s ragtimey I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.

Old timey. Outdated. Antiquated. Sure.

But on this St. Valentine’s Eve, Diana Krall was charming, enchanting and endearing.

And it was impossible not to fall head-over-heels in love.

Thanks for the review jazzygal.

Peel Me a Grape? Wow. I've heard her play that once, maybe twice...and that was back in 1998/99. I was sure she'd never play it again live, as she famously hates that tune. Well, maybe "hate" is too strong a word, but she doesn't like it, and has said as much on-stage several times. Now, if she ever plays "Popsicle Toes," I'll be in shock. As recently as my last DK show, an audience member yelled out a request for "Popsicle Toes" and DK said, "Um, no. I don't think so."

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the gig. I'm wondering when some California shows will be announced. Sigh...

Thank you jazzygal karla....I'm glad for you

mapache61 wrote:Thanks for the review jazzygal.

Peel Me a Grape? Wow. I've heard her play that once, maybe twice...and that was back in 1998/99. I was sure she'd never play it again live, as she famously hates that tune. Well, maybe "hate" is too strong a word, but she doesn't like it, and has said as much on-stage several times. Now, if she ever plays "Popsicle Toes," I'll be in shock. As recently as my last DK show, an audience member yelled out a request for "Popsicle Toes" and DK said, "Um, no. I don't think so."

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the gig. I'm wondering when some California shows will be announced. Sigh...

LOL. Yep, I was pretty shocked that she played Peel, too. I was pretty sure she'd never play that one, either, since I'm also aware of how much she (apparently) despises it. Funny thing...she flubbed the lyrics and laughed at herself while doing it. When she sang the "Never out-think me" lyric, she stopped playing, chuckled a little about how that doesn't happen with Elvis (him never out-thinking her apparently doesn't happen in their relationship). When she launched back into the song, she'd sort of lost her spot by then. She ended up completely skipping the "new Thunderbird me/you heard me" line and just improvised her way out of it and brought it to a quick close. I don't think casual fans picked up on the flub because folks still applauded with gusto. Fun times!

jazzygal: "When she sang the "Never out-think me" lyric, she stopped playing, chuckled a little about how that doesn't happen with Elvis (him never out-thinking her apparently doesn't happen in their relationship)."

That's funny. Can you imagine a battle of wits with EC? Poor Diana. This Elvis cat OVERthinks everything. Need proof? Check out the convoluted TGITOR lyrics.

jazzygal: "She ended up completely skipping the "new Thunderbird me/you heard me" line"

Remember when she used to replace Thunderbird with Range Rover? And if I remember correctly, sometimes Cadillac.
Now that I think about it, back in the old days I probably heard Grape more than twice -- maybe 3 or 4 times?

jazzygal: "If you were underwhelmed by 'Glad Rag Doll'"

Not at all. I think it's great, despite T-Bone's annoying production (yeah, I said it) and the AWFUL mix. Bud won't say it here, but I know he agrees Al Schmitt is sorely missed.

I'm jealous, jazzygal. Hopefully somewhere down the road I can entertain you with my own GRD LIVE review.

Wow, jazzygal! Thanks for your personal terrific review. Glad you could get to hear a live version of BOBD. Remember one time when DK called your handle by name during one of the concerts a few years back?

Also, thanks for posting the newspaper review. I noticed two things from the media reviewer, who offered a nicely detailed recounting. First, the almost de rigeur use of the word "enthralls." Second, though, I bet Diana is thrilled (maybe enthralled? ) that the reviewer called her an ingenue! Haven't heard that one in a while!

I love the mixed-up playlist Diana is using in her shows, as well as the 2+ hours. Wow! Maybe she read some of our posts, talking about the 90 minute shows that we thought were a little short. Seems like a jam-packed, well-produced show.

Diana is playing soon in nearby Windsor, Ontario, and the ticket prices were in the $70+ range. I'd almost considered it (heard an ad on our local classical and jazz radio station, the wonderful WRCJ). But my husband is laid off right now, so I think we'll wait until our finances are more certain.

mapache61 wrote: Bud won't say it here, but I know he agrees Al Schmitt is sorely missed.

What? I do miss Al.

Great to hear how things worked out for you Karla! Nice review. Eric who? No one by that name has been around here in ages

Coda - Sorry to hear about your situation. Hope things get better soon!

Coda wrote:Wow, jazzygal! Thanks for your personal terrific review. Glad you could get to hear a live version of BOBD. Remember one time when DK called your handle by name during one of the concerts a few years back?

Also, thanks for posting the newspaper review. I noticed two things from the media reviewer, who offered a nicely detailed recounting. First, the almost de rigeur use of the word "enthralls." Second, though, I bet Diana is thrilled (maybe enthralled? ) that the reviewer called her an ingenue! Haven't heard that one in a while!

I love the mixed-up playlist Diana is using in her shows, as well as the 2+ hours. Wow! Maybe she read some of our posts, talking about the 90 minute shows that we thought were a little short. Seems like a jam-packed, well-produced show.

Diana is playing soon in nearby Windsor, Ontario, and the ticket prices were in the $70+ range. I'd almost considered it (heard an ad on our local classical and jazz radio station, the wonderful WRCJ). But my husband is laid off right now, so I think we'll wait until our finances are more certain.

Oh, it was narrowdaylight who posted the newspaper review; I only pulled the pertinent excerpt.

And of course I remember Diana's personal shout-out from years ago, though she didn't use the 'jazzygal' bit, she simply said "Oh, that must be Karla" after I whooped with joy when she started in on 'A Case of You'.

I'm sorry to hear of your financial woes at present. I hope your hubby is able to find some meaningful work quickly. Any "win tickets to see Diana Krall" contests going on? It Could Happen to You! (It happened to me, once upon a time...)

mapache61 wrote:
I'm jealous, jazzygal. Hopefully somewhere down the road I can entertain you with my own GRD LIVE review.

I'd love to read it if you get a chance to see her on this tour!

Bud wrote:

mapache61 wrote: Bud won't say it here, but I know he agrees Al Schmitt is sorely missed.

What? I do miss Al.

Great to hear how things worked out for you Karla! Nice review. Eric who? No one by that name has been around here in ages

Coda - Sorry to hear about your situation. Hope things get better soon!

LOL... Eric manages to pop on from time to time on some social media thing called Face-Book. I know. It sounds like a place where bookworms have their faces stuck in books... but at least I get to know he and his lovely family are all still alive and well.

And about Schmitt... Am I wrong to still miss Tommy LiPuma?

Bud wrote:

mapache61 wrote: Bud won't say it here, but I know he agrees Al Schmitt is sorely missed.

What? I do miss Al.

Great to hear how things worked out for you Karla! Nice review. Eric who? No one by that name has been around here in ages

Coda - Sorry to hear about your situation. Hope things get better soon!

Bud missses Al Schmitt? Don't believe him, folks. Bud's an undercover Verve publicity agent. He doesn't actively praise all things KrallStello -- no, that'd be too obvious. Yet notice he never says a critical word about crappy production by EC's boyfriend T-Bone, or shoddy mixing by the hack who engineered GRD. No, Bud makes benign statements like "I do miss Al." Ah, what a ruse. Brilliant, sir.

Coda, I do hope your man finds employment so you can hit the DK show. I haven't even seen the GRD Tour, but sounds like it'd be a shame to miss it. Perhaps our Verve man could set you up with tickets? Bud? Please help.

mapache61 wrote:Bud's an undercover Verve publicity agent

Interesting hypothesis. But no.

Hi, everyone. Thanks for the good wishes. My hubby did get a job! It's one he was hoping to land, but it took quite a while for the gears to grind. Didn't get official word until after the DK concert in nearby Windsor. Hope the next time she's nearby we can go.

And, yes, I also miss Al Schmitt.

Coda, cheered to hear employment was found for your hubby.