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.
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.