# Diana Krall **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 17, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528 "2015-09-17T02:45:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/1 "2015-09-17T02:45:54Z")
I heard her on cable music, and bought _The Very Best of Diana Krall_ on Ebay. I have described jazz to Mrs. Plant (v.3.0) as your heads are on the same pillow, and blues as moving away from each other on a train. Ms. Krall is very good, I can best describe her voice and her style in cover songs as intimate. I particularly like her version of _The Look of Love._ Do any Dopers have recommendations for her other albums? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/2 "2015-09-17T02:53:10Z")
I recommend Tierney Sutton, and Betty Carter over Diana Krall, easy. I find her a little too cold, and past expiration date with the tune choice. “Oh yeah I knew she was going to do that one” Even Lea Delaria, believe it or not is great. She does a version of “Sweeney Todd” that sounds like pure honey. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/3 "2015-09-17T02:54:42Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/p3ruJsNHbSk/hqdefault.jpg "Lea DeLaria - The Ballad Of Sweeney Todd (2002)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3ruJsNHbSk) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/4 "2015-09-17T04:10:27Z")
Whatever you do, don’t buy her Christmas album, called “Seasons”. It’s really, really NOT her forte. I like her, and I like [Jane Monheit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDQiOnttN9Q), and I’ve seen them both in concert. Seems like when they hit the big time, the hating starts, but I still like them both. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/5 "2015-09-17T10:45:53Z")
I am unlikely to buy anyone’s Christmas Album. 🙂 Thanks for the recommendations, I shall try them. ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/6 "2015-09-17T13:57:28Z")
I like Diana Krall quite a bit despite her limitations as a vocalist. Jane Monheit and Tierney Sutton are, without doubt, better singers. However, Diana’s true strengths are her excellent piano playing and talent as a band leader. Unfortunately, that tends to get overlooked, especially in mainstream media coverage. To get a better idea of her musicianship, definitely pick up “Live in Paris”. I think she really shines on this CD. My other favourites include “All For You: A Tribute to Nat King Cole”, “Love Scenes” and the more recent album of 20’s and 30’s tin pan alley songs “Glad Rag Doll”. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/7 "2015-09-17T15:22:53Z")
She may be the hottest 50 yr old _ever_. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/8 "2015-09-17T15:44:08Z")
She’s a good mood singer but can really kick butt when she wants to. I particularly like her way with [Diana Krall - Frim Fram Sauce (Live)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS_6vtAGTE0) ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/9 "2015-09-17T16:11:45Z")
She’s great live, I saw her at Tanglewood several summers ago. I definitely second the recommendation of _Live in Paris_. _When I Look in Your Eyes_ is the best of her studio albums, IMO. I also particularly liked _Quiet Nights_ from 2009. I’d also like to say to Canada that Diana Krall almost makes up for Celine Dion. ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/10 "2015-09-17T23:38:39Z")
If you find yourself liking female vocal jazz, branch out a bit. I find Ms. Krall to be impossibly derivative (of Nat King Cole, mainly), and I think she has traded on her looks quite a bit. There are tons and tons of great vocalists to choose from–my all time faves are Abbey Lincoln and Anita O’ Day, but besides the ones already mentioned, there are so many others out there, from bluesy and sassy (Etta Jones, Carmen McRae) to sultry (June Christie) to whimsical (Blossom Dearie), just off the top of my head. Oh man, so many to enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/11 "2015-09-17T23:51:46Z")
> [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](#): > > If you find yourself liking female vocal jazz, branch out a bit. I find Ms. Krall to be impossibly derivative (of Nat King Cole, mainly), and I think she has traded on her looks quite a bit. There are tons and tons of great vocalists to choose from–my all time faves are Abbey Lincoln and Anita O’ Day, but besides the ones already mentioned, there are so many others out there, from bluesy and sassy (Etta Jones, Carmen McRae) to sultry (June Christie) to whimsical (Blossom Dearie), just off the top of my head. Oh man, so many to enjoy. Well sure, but they’re all dead. Krall does just fine in keeping the American Songbook alive and well. Other contemporary singers that rate very highly are Karrin Allyson, Madeleine Peyroux, Cassandra Wilson, Lani Hall, and Dianne Reeves. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/12 "2015-09-17T23:59:32Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Well sure, but they’re all dead. Krall does just fine in keeping the American Songbook alive and well. Other contemporary singers that rate very highly are Karrin Allyson, Madeleine Peyroux, Cassandra Wilson, Lani Hall, and Dianne Reeves. Well said. In the Nat King Cole bag I particularly like [Diana Krall - You’re Looking at Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt9TmZU4leo) – written by MR Julie London! 😃 (who also gave us Route 66.) ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/13 "2015-09-18T01:04:19Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Well said. In the Nat King Cole bag I particularly like [Diana Krall - You’re Looking at Me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt9TmZU4leo) – written by MR Julie London! 😃 (who also gave us Route 66.) Mr Julie London? Can’t you give a composer some credit? I assume you meant Bobby Troup? There’s certain vulnerability and passion missing in Diana to me. Jazz is improvisational and she sounds facile. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/14 "2015-09-18T01:56:05Z")
> [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](#): > > and I think she has traded on her looks quite a bit. I heard her on the cable music jazz channel, and bought the CD without knowing what she looked like. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/15 "2015-09-18T04:01:38Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Mr Julie London? Can’t you give a composer some credit? > > I assume you meant Bobby Troup? > > There’s certain vulnerability and passion missing in Diana to me. Jazz is improvisational and she sounds facile. Well, they can’t all be Ella Fitzgerald. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/16 "2015-09-18T04:12:27Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Well, they can’t all be Ella Fitzgerald. Dude, I dare you to listen to Lea Delaria doing “Sweeney Todd.” I Posted it above. I vouch it’ll groove you no end. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diana-krall/731528/17 "2015-09-18T12:59:00Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > … > I assume you meant Bobby Troup? > … Yes. A cool guy whose being husband to one of the foxiest singers ever was at least as big a deal as his other accomplishments – at least to me. 🙂 As you probably know he was husband-in-law to Jack Webb.