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Editorial Review:
The Look of Love doesn't tamper with Diana Krall's ongoing success,
continuing the emphasis on romanticballads and embracing them with
lush string arrangements. At the core, of course, is Krall's voice.
She's
developing into one of the great torch singers, with an approach
that's both direct and subtly nuanced, true to the song and yet
deeply personal.
There's a combination of restraint and drama here, as Krall ranges
from the confident to the wistful, from loss to playful insinuation,
as each song requires. "Cry Me a River" is bittersweet
triumph, while "Love Letters" & "Maybe You'll
Be There" maintain the most tenuous emotional hold, at once
fragile and resilient.
"Besame Mucho" and "Dancing in the Dark" are
sultry romances wafted on light Latin beats. The songs develop their
intimacy in the setting of Krall's quartet, which usually includes
bassist Christian McBride and drummer Peter Erskine and several
fine guitarists, most frequently
Russell Malone. They're a superb complement to her voice and piano,
and the close communication carries through the depth and sheen
added by Claus Ogerman's rich orchestrations.
Stuart Broomer
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