I have just gotten into Diana Krall in the last year or so. Her voice is so smoky, she is beautiful, and she is married to Elvis Costello. Talk about hitting the trifecta. This album is an album of cover songs, except for If I Take You Home Tonight, which Paul McCartney wrote but never released. She released it here with permission. The album came in 3 versions. The regular version (same on cd and vinyl) with 12 tracks, the Deluxe edition with 16 tracks, and the Complete Sessions with 20 songs. I always say go big, or go home so I got the 20 track version.
California Dreamin’ – Smoky, sexy, raspy. Call it what you will, her voice will make anyone sit up and take notice. When the bass kicks in, I can almost see the collective musicians in the stoner metal genre stare at the speakers in disbelief. No wonder Christian McBride has won 4 Grammys, and leads 4 bands.
Desperado – I had kind of a sombre moment when this song started. I felt a wave of emotion roll over me. I feel really embarrassed to have not given Glenn Frey his just dues, and I was paying the price. This was the song that solidified the songwriting team of Glenn Frey and Don Henley. It is an amazing song, and I can think of no one better that Diana to do it justice. Dianna has subtle nuances and voice pitch changes that allow her to make it sound like there is more than one vocalist. But it is all her.
Superstar – Who knew a song about a groupie could be so romantic and touching.
Alone Again (Naturally) (duet with Michael Buble) – The combination of these two amazing talents should push this song into deep outer space. The song is about being left at the alter, and wanting to end one’s own life, but forgive me if I can’t stop smiling. The sound travelling through my ears can only have this effect.
Wallflower(featuring Blake Mills) – WOW. Bob Dylan is an amazing talent, but he has nothing on this lady. Holy hell is she awesome on this song. I get goosebumps every time I hear it. Kudos to Blake Mills for some wicked guitar playing as well. A MA ZING. 2015 was a good year for him. Not just this song, but producer of the year for Alabama Shakes- Sound And Color.
If I Take You Home Tonight – Written by Paul McCartney. No 4 words in music better express the potential for a great song. Sorry you left this off of your album Paul. Your loss is Diana’s gain.
I Can’t Tell You Why – Another Eagles cover. There is no mistake. They really knew how to put a great song together. This album almost seems like a fitting Glenn Frey tribute.
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word – “What have I got to do to make you love me.” Just keep singing like that. That’s it.
Operator(That’s Not The Way It Feels) – Operator. Could you help me place this call? I need to tell Diana how awesome she is
I’m Not In Love – I am!!!!
Feels Like Home(duet with Bryan Adams) – Like many Canadians I am quite sick of hearing Bryan Adams every day on the radio, but this song is fresh, and his raspy voice matches almost perfectly with Diana’s. My favourite song with him in it since the Reckless album first came out over 30 years ago.
Don’t Dream It’s Over – Thank goodness I bought the Complete Sessions or it would be over
In My Life – Piano and a sexy, raspy female singer. Another example where Diana sounds like there is more than one vocalist. Is there anything better for a Beatles cover. I think not.
Yeh Yeh(duet with Georgie Fame) – I say YEAH YEAH
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (live) – This woman is so awesome, I can not tell her live performance from her studio song. I must see her live.
Wallflower(live) – See above description
A Case Of You – My favourite part is the snippet “Oh Canada”. I would love to see Diana sing our anthem.
If You Could Read My Mind(duet with Sarah McLaughlin) – This song is one of the main reasons I wanted the Complete Sessions. I LOVE Gordon Lightfoot. I LOVE this song. Goosebumps baby, goosebumps. The ladies do it justice. I am not disappointed. My repeat button is going to break.
Everybody’s Talkin'(duet with Vince Gill) – I am not a big fan of the background music in this song. It sounds like bad, Hawaiian karaoke. The vocals are good though. One song out of 20 that is not awesome is a pretty good percentage though.
Heart Of Gold – Great guitar and violin here. Then there are the vocals. If Neil Young’s version is a perfect 10, this is a 9.99999999.
I don’t know if I have ever heard a better cover album. She chose some lofty songs to emulate, and did them all justice.
9.95/10
Bop. If I don’t own all of the Diana Krall albums, I’d only be missing one, and it’d be this one.
I am ALL over this. Thank you for this heads-up!
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Whwn I saw this version had Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot I was all over it like a hobo on a ham sandwich.
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Oh hells yes. And at least it wasn’t Helpless. I’m tired of covers of that song.
Can’t go wrong with Krall albums, buy them all.
Lemme know which ones you get, as you go along, send a list of what you have. They turn up (pristine) in my junk shop quite regularly.
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Also, the humour… “Thank goodness I bought the Complete Sessions or it would be over”
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“Funny peculiar, or funny hah hah.”
Les Nessman
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Dammit, I forgot to tap my foot while pretending to knock before I entered your office again!
Anyway, funny ha ha!
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You win the Silver Sow Award, presented by Chi Chi Rodriguez.
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To pronounce it correctly, it would be:
“Chai Chai Rod-ri-gueeze.”
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As God is my witness. I thought turkeys could fly.
Badges. We don’t need no stinking badges.
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Let’s you and me swap hats!
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I found this online and thought I’d share:
Dr. Johnny Fever: [Mr. Carlson is inspecting Johnny in the DJ booth while Pink Floyd’s “Dogs” is playing, specifically the section with the barking dogs] Gripping music, ain’t it?
Arthur ‘Big Guy’ Carlson: Yeah, it’s good. What is the name of this orchestra?
Dr. Johnny Fever: It’s Pink Floyd.
Arthur ‘Big Guy’ Carlson: Oh. Is that Pink Floyd? Do I hear dogs barking on that thing?
Dr. Johnny Fever: I do.
Arthur ‘Big Guy’ Carlson: They’re good, aren’t they?
[Picks up the Animals album jacket]
Arthur ‘Big Guy’ Carlson: There’s something on here that’s called “Pigs On The Wing”. What does that sound like?
Dr. Johnny Fever: I don’t do requests.
Arthur ‘Big Guy’ Carlson: Well, keep up the good work.
Dr. Johnny Fever: I’m giving it all I’ve got.
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I was thinking of revoewing some retro tv shows. This would definately be on the list
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That’s a cool idea. Wold you do seasons? Or the whole thing in general in one post?
My Request: Cheers. 😉
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NORM!!!!.
I was at the bar where they filmed in Boston, and had a beer.
I realllllllly wished my name was Norm that day.
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What are you up to, Mr. Peterson?
My ideal weight if I was seven feet tall, Woody…
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We went by the bar when I was in Boston on a band trip, but we were in grade ten, couldn’t get in to see it. Alas.
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I hate to be presumptuous, but would it be fair to say you like this one? Also, is there a super deluxe minus Michael Buble?
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Yes. The Less Songs BUT Less Annoying version.
😉
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For sure go big or go home! This sounds great. I really like the song selections.
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It really is awesome.
She needs to do a duet with at least one of the guys from Blue Rodeo.
Also, I would love to hear her do a version of Ride On. Maybe it would not be as awesome as Bon, but awesome all the same.
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Hopefully she reads this and agrees 😉
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In that case. Diana can you do a co-headlining tour with your hubby, and can I have front row tickets?
🙂
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Oooo now THAT would be awesome. See if you can get seats for me and my lovely wife too!
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Nice review Brian – she’s terrific, I heard her being interviewed on CBC about this one at the time. Thanks for the reminder, I think I’ve only got the look of love in my collection, need to change that!
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Thanks. Never too much Diana.
This one is great.
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