 Diana Krall If you're going to record a Christmas CD, I'd say it's best to either try to record the best one ever or go the opposite way and record a totally irreverent one. Some would say that there is no point in recording new Christmas albums, but in fairness many of the more enjoyable ones have been from the 90s (Harry Connick Jr.'s When My Heart Finds Christmas, Star Bright by Vanessa Williams). Diana Krall's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas might have been one of the very best ever, had they decided to make it more than ten minutes long. Whether it was Krall's decision or the record company's for her to only do an EP for Christmas '98, the result is a highly enjoyable three-song affair characterized by Diana Krall's unabashed romanticism and massively appealing sound. Her voice is smoky but smooth, and her phrasing is intelligent and clean without being dry. On the title track she is on piano and voice, accompanied by Russell Malone on guitar, Ben Wolfe on bass, and Jeff Hamilton on drums, plus, for the first time in her career if I am not mistaken, a full orchestra (conducted by Johnny Mandel no less). As expected it's a tasteful affair. Diana Krall, more than any contemporary jazz vocalist, has a way of doing old things in an old way and yet making it sound very new. She breathes new life into an old chestnut roasting on an open fire. Track two is Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time is Here," performed only by Krall on vocals and Malone on guitar. Very smooth and nice, a fine, understated performance of an underrated Christmas classic. The EP closes with a solo performance of "Jingle Bells" with Krall on piano and voice. She does this one with the same sense of swing she brought to "Hit That Jive Jack" and some of the other cuts on her Nat King Cole tribute All For You. A short EP, and one that leaves the listener wanting much more. My recommended approach is to throw this in the changer alongside Love Scenes and/or All For You for a continuous Krallathon with a seasonal touch. They flow perfectly. I only wish she'd done a full album. To compensate, Impulse! issued this EP with a calendar featuring twelve postcards with Diana striking various glamour poses. She does so much transparent marketing it would be easy to hate her, if her music weren't so good, and she weren't so attractive. Sometimes it's okay to root for the popular girl, I suppose, neverminding my humiliating prom night depantsing in front of the senior class by the prom queen.
Review by Rollie Fingers, Jr. |