Quiet Nights

Diana Krall’s soft and calm twelfth album

Speaking of jazz one cannot help speaking of Diana Krall, one of the most significant genre representatives. Her albums have always surprised with the richness of emotions and moods although her low key contralto always remains the same. Performing both original material and a great number of standards and cover versions of famous songs Krall is long known as a talented pianist who first sat to piano at the age of four and a remarkable vocalist all over the world. This year her twelfth record Quiet Nights is released. This album has become the first collaboration with arranger Claus Ogerman since the 2002’s recording Live in Paris and the 2001’s studio creation The Look of Love. The title Quiet Nights is the name of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s standard Corcovado translated into English. Those fond of contemporary Brazilian TV serials are sure to know this song although the peak of its popularity was in the early 1960s. Soft and calm as majority of Krall’s albums Quiet Nights will definitely occupy the worthiest place in her discography.

There is a certain romance in each song on Quiet Nights

The album Quiet Nights is Diana Krall’s small experiment with bossa nova, one of her favorite styles, and the musicians and producers working on the songs have greatly managed to lay it on the traditional jazz orchestral arrangements. Each of the songs has its own message and romance. The slight rhythm of cymbals refines practically each track giving it liveliness reminding of bossa nova and Krall’s low key vocals does not let the melodies sound too vividly not even for a second. The record opens with a melodious composition Where Or When about a beautiful love story, full of joyful reminiscences. The song Too Marvelous For Words tells about how difficult it is to describe with words one’s admiration with the beloved and a wonderful piano track I've Grown Accustomed To His Face will help those in doubt of their true feelings to understand whether the relationships are important. The song more famous when performed in Portuguese The Boy From Ipanema is at first difficult to recognize because of Diana’s unusual manner of performance and a splendid standard Walk On By is also presented in a more melancholic variant. The only song in Portuguese here Este Seu Olhar adds an exotic note to the album whereas So Nice is once again an English language version of one of Jobim’s standards as well as the title track – the Brazilian serials’ fans will recognize these melodies at once. The record closes with Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry, a slow track with a deep philosophic sense hidden in the interesting metaphors of the most beautiful lyrics. Besides the album offers two bonus compositions, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and Every Time We Say Goodbye gracefully completing this unique collection.

Music for harmony with oneself

Diana Krall’s music smoothes and relaxes, makes one reflect of pleasant things and brings the listeners to the state of harmony with themselves. No doubt this is especially true about the album Quiet Nights. You are sure to appreciate the record if you listen to it at home doing the daily routine and it will be also suitable on a romantic evening. Besides it can be a great present for your parents who know well most of these songs and for the younger generation it will be a great way to go deeper into the unknown past. On the whole Diana Krall is still faithful to herself and knows what a really soulful music means. Elvis Costello’s wife and the mother of twins this woman can be truly proud of her life and successes at her age of 44. We can be sure that she will soon release a new masterpiece and for now we have an excellent record Quiet Nights. It quietly and unobtrusively makes us remember that the summer is coming soon and undoubtedly many of us will have new romantic acquaintances and have a good time in general.