When I Look In Your Eyes (Acoustic Sounds)＜限定盤＞

グラミー賞アルバム・オブ・ジ・イヤーのノミネートに加え、最優秀エンジニア部門など2部門に輝いた名盤。映画『トゥルー・クライム』主題歌を含む全13曲収録の1999年リリースの5枚目のアルバム。

トミー・リピューマによるプロデュースで、13曲中8曲でオーケストラ・スタンプを使用し、ナット・キング・コールの流れを汲むクラールのサウンドを高めている。

〈パーソネル〉Diana Krall (p,vo) Russell Malone (g) John Clayton (b) Jeff Hamilton(ds) Ben Wolfe (b) Larry Bunker(vibes) Lewis Nash (ds)ほか

With this CD, the young Canadian singer/pianist/arranger joins forces with producer Tommy LiPuma, who places his orchestral stamp on eight of the 13 tracks. It is the latest attempt to push Krall to an even wider pop/smooth jazz audience than she already enjoys. After all, Nat Cole, Wes Montgomery, and George Benson, among others, went this route. Wonder if she'd agree the cuts sans strings were more fun and challenging? Krall does get to it with central help from bassists John Clayton and Ben Wolfe, drummers Jeff Hamilton and Lewis Nash, and guitarist Russell Malone, all stellar players. Krall's voice is sweet and sexy. She's also flexible within her range and at times a bit kitschy, mostly the hopeless romantic. On this CD of love songs, it's clear she's cool but very much in love with this music. Bob Dorough's "Devil May Care" and the insistent "Best Thing for You" really click. Favorites are a decent Shearing-esque "Let's Fall in Love" with vibist Larry Bunker; a suave slow bossa on the opening number, "Let's Face the Music"; the lusher-than-lush title track; and especially an incredible horn-fired fanfare intro/outro on the hip "Pick Yourself Up." Some might call this fluff or mush, but it depends solely on your personal taste. This will certainly appeal to Krall's fans, lovers, and lovers at heart. ~ Michael G. Nastos