Krall shows gritty side in short set ( Hong Kong)
Posted: 01 Apr 2005, 13:57http://archive.scmp.com/showarticles.php
The South China Morning Post
Wednesday March 30 2005
Krall shows gritty side in short set
Robin Lynam
Diana Krall
Convention and Exhibition Centre
One Night Only
Struggling with blocked ears and sinuses, Diana Krall still delivered a spirited performance, showing a gutsy side to her music that tends to be airbrushed out of her albums by slick production.
The downside of Krall live was the fact - not apparent on overdubbed CDs - that although she sings well and plays piano even better, she isn't at her best doing both at the same time.
Given the complexity of some of the music, this wasn't hard to forgive, although several vocals sounded rushed and husband Elvis Costello's convoluted lyrics and embellished melody lines really needed her undivided attention.
She didn't perform her signature The Look of Love, but she did deliver a smattering of jazz standards for older fans as well as showcase much of her latest album, The Girl in the Other Room.
Mose Allison's Stop the World and Costello's Almost Blue were both improvements on the recorded performances.
And although a few rough edges were apparent on other songs, I've Changed My Address and Departure Bay were highlights of the evening.
Bass player Robert Hurst and guitarist Anthony Wilson made good use of generous solo space, and Krall's own solos left me wishing she would perform a few instrumentals. In a short show (about 90 minutes), perhaps there wasn't time. Too bad; the audience would have probably stayed for more.
The South China Morning Post
Wednesday March 30 2005
Krall shows gritty side in short set
Robin Lynam
Diana Krall
Convention and Exhibition Centre
One Night Only
Struggling with blocked ears and sinuses, Diana Krall still delivered a spirited performance, showing a gutsy side to her music that tends to be airbrushed out of her albums by slick production.
The downside of Krall live was the fact - not apparent on overdubbed CDs - that although she sings well and plays piano even better, she isn't at her best doing both at the same time.
Given the complexity of some of the music, this wasn't hard to forgive, although several vocals sounded rushed and husband Elvis Costello's convoluted lyrics and embellished melody lines really needed her undivided attention.
She didn't perform her signature The Look of Love, but she did deliver a smattering of jazz standards for older fans as well as showcase much of her latest album, The Girl in the Other Room.
Mose Allison's Stop the World and Costello's Almost Blue were both improvements on the recorded performances.
And although a few rough edges were apparent on other songs, I've Changed My Address and Departure Bay were highlights of the evening.
Bass player Robert Hurst and guitarist Anthony Wilson made good use of generous solo space, and Krall's own solos left me wishing she would perform a few instrumentals. In a short show (about 90 minutes), perhaps there wasn't time. Too bad; the audience would have probably stayed for more.