Canadian-born jazz-pop singer and pianist Diana Krall brings a muso’s sensibility to her covers of songs that may or may not belong in the so-called Great American Songbook, and I don’t mind the desecration. A much-lauded performer who employs her impeccable pianistic and vocal chops in unobtrusive fashion, Krall tends to choose rather obvious songs — she slows down Leon Russell’s “Superstar” to no great effect and covers Gilbert O’Sullivan’s 1972 song “Alone Again, Naturally” with fellow MOR icon Michael Bublé. On the other hand, her 2001 version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “The Look of Love” is one of her best efforts, and you may appreciate the jazzbo touches she adds to a pop classic such as, say, John and Michelle Phillips’ “California Dreamin’.” Krall’s 2004 full-length The Girl in the Other Room sports some fine collaborations with her husband, Elvis Costello — Krall is never less than intelligent throughout. Being a muso ain’t such a bad thing sometimes. EDD HURT
Diana Krall
