On Love Scenes, Diana Krall utilizes the same trio format she used on her critically acclaimed All For You. And it's easy to understand why: the simple instrumentation - Krall plus guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Chrisian McBride - is the perfect setting for her sultry voice and relaxed piano playing. She offers 12 delightful interpretations of well-chosen, romance-related standards.
The three musicians have a wonderful rapport (both Malone and McBride have played on previous Krall albums), and each tune exhibits an easy, effortless swing. Krall' s piano playing is sensitive and lyrical on the ballads, and right in the groove on the uptempo numbers. Malone's full, rich tone blends perfectly with Krall's piano accompaniment, and McBride's formidable bass playing punctuates the trio's every nuance on this drumless date.
'It's the songs and the performance that make this album. The superb recording simply serves to bring a consummate performance before our ears. All of the songs on this album have been with us for a while, some for a long while: the oldest tune here, Carroll Gibbons & James Dyrenforth's "Garden in the Rain," hails from 1928, while "Gentle Rain" by Luis Bonfa & Matt Dubey is the most recent (1965). I had not heard of several of the numbers here, but others were familiar, such as Irving Berlin's "How Deep is the Ocean (How High is the Sky and Ira& George Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away from Me." In every case, these exquisite songs are given a gentle, languid treatment, with clear, sensitive instrumental introductions (the start of "I Miss You So" made my hair stand on end) that set the tone of the song. From the first notes on the album, with a unique bass and vocal start to "All or Nothing at All," this disc is outstanding.' Audio Video Revolution
'With her popularity soaring, taking top honors in polls, and appearing in television cameos, Diana Krall is taking her cool and detached vocal style to a very large audience. From the easily-recognized "Peel Me a Grape" and "All or Nothing at All" to the lesser-known "Garden in the Rain," Krall puts her personal touch on each item. Her sensitive and dramatic approach to Luis Bonfa's "Gentle Rain" offers more evidence that this is one singer-pianist who will continue to thrill audiences with her unique sound. Recommended.' All About Jazz
Recording Information:
Diana Krall: Vocals / Piano
Christian McBride: Bass Guitar
Russell Malone: Guitar
Produced by: Paul Bishow
Audio Mixer / Remixer: Al Schmitt.
Mastered by: Doug Sax
Recorded at: Avatar Studios, New York, NY.