Left of the Dial |
Diana Krall: Christmas Songsby Bob Davis |
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“It’s Diana again,” says Tony Romano. “This is the best thing she’s done in about three albums.” He should know. Romano, who toured the world as Krall’s sound man before taking a hiatus back home here in Buffalo, says Krall was previously asked to release a Christmas album but resisted for some time. Some of the material had been in the can for years. Why the timing is now right, we don’t know, as Krall often resists interviews. The new tracks and the bulk of the dozen selections feature the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, which makes Christmas Songs Krall’s first big band recording. “She’s got beautiful charts,” says Tony, “and her big band stuff is first rate. Give a listen. Check out the orchestration, how beautiful it is.” Krall’s singing here subtly shows off her jazz chops. Crossover critiques aside, Krall’s technique and expression are informed by jazz and although Christmas Songs features “accessible” jazz vocals, they’re free of what Romano considers the influence of husband Elvis Costello (whose live recording with the Metropole Orkest will be released in February). Christmas Songs weighs in at only 45 minutes, but it’s a fine 45 minutes featuring a variety of styles, from a sweet “I’ll be Home for Christmas” to a sassy “Santa Clause is Coming to Town” to a swinging “Jingle Bells.” And since A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Vince Guaraldi Trio was only a little over 40 minutes (and both feature “Christmas Time is Here”), you can enjoy both over a long holiday dinner and dessert. Take it from Tony. Give a listen.
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