Diana Krall: The Girl in the Other Room (Universal)

 |   |  <1 min read

Diana Krall: The Girl in the Other Room (Universal)

Krall has been among the more anodyne of "jazz" artists and while her lightweight stylishness has undoubted appeal for less demanding listeners there has often seemed an emotional vacuum at the centre of her breathy vocals and constrained piano playing.

While she may be her own woman you can't help note that marriage to Elvis Costello -- who co-writes most of the lyrics here -- has changed her for the better. She opens with Mose Allison's Stop This World ("snouts in the trough" is a line you don't expect from Krall) and later delivers Tom Waits' moody Temptation. But it's Costello's slightly sniping, sensual or tart lyricism which elevates this into the realm of intelligent listening. The title track oozes a film noir sexual ennui, she digs into Chris Smither blues and Joni Mitchell's Black Crow, and throughout loosens up her piano playing (jazz is now a word you can happily use about her).

With a roster of name players (Christian McBride, Pete Erskine, Jeff Hamilton) and a more nuggety approach, Krall has made her most satisfying album yet. Recommended.


Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

Paul Weller: Sonik Kicks (Island)

Paul Weller: Sonik Kicks (Island)

Aside from the excellent set list, when Paul Weller played the Powerstation in late 2010 what was so impressive and exciting was his impassioned delivery. You were left with the clear impression he... > Read more

Waco Brothers and Paul Burch: Great Chicago Fire (Bloodshot)

Waco Brothers and Paul Burch: Great Chicago Fire (Bloodshot)

Sounding like uncles who grew up on country-punk, Joe Ely's Texas rebel rock and some early Seventies Stones albums, the rootsy but rocking Waco Brothers here pull few surprises out of those... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

HARMONIA AND ENO '76; TRACKS AND TRACES REISSUE, CONSIDERED (2009): The quiet revolution

HARMONIA AND ENO '76; TRACKS AND TRACES REISSUE, CONSIDERED (2009): The quiet revolution

Even during his days in Roxy Music, Brian Eno professed an admiration for not just the music coming out of the German electronic movement (Can and so on) but for their collective spirit. They often... > Read more

SUCH DREAMS AS COME: At night, then the light

SUCH DREAMS AS COME: At night, then the light

The recurring dreams are different – but very detailed. Yet there's something which binds them in my subconscious. In the first and most common I am in a strange city, some of which I... > Read more