Search - Diana Krall :: Stepping Out

A fine debut album

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steppin' Out is an excellent debut album from Diana Krall. Diana both sings and plays piano on this CD; and she proves she has enough talent to fill any orchestra hall any day of the week! Her voice is in excellent form; she never sounded better. We also get fine performances by John Clayton on bass and Jeff Hamilton on the drums. The quality of the sound on this CD is really very good; and I like that artwork as well.



"This Can't Be Love" starts the album with a very jazzy arrangement for this number; the bass and drums sound great and together with Diana they make this an auspicious number to open up the album! I love it. The next track, "Straighten Up And Fly Right," is a song I usually associate with Nat "King" Cole;" "Straighten Up And Fly Right" gets a very spirited treatment as Diana and the crew do this one up right! Nat "King" Cole would be proud--this number is all THAT good. Moreover, "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" has a splendid arrangement that showcases Diana's piano playing in particular as well as the great playing by other musicians; they bat this tune straight out of the ballpark! "Between the Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" is a big highlight of this album.



"I'm Just A Lucky So And So" features Diana Krall singing her heart out; her voice sounds strong and it's as clear as a bell. "I'm Just A Lucky So And So" has Diana tackling subtle, complicated tempo and key changes but she does it all very well--this number really takes flight! "I'm Just A Lucky So And So" really stands out as another big highlight of this album. In addition, "42nd Street" is another fine number; Diana and the crew make this shine bright with a heavenly rendition that brings out the best in this ballad. "42nd Street," if I recall correctly, was first featured in the Warner Brothers movie of the same name.



"Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" has a terrific flavor to it; they make this sound as if it were easy to perform. How's about that bass solo? "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" has always been a favorite of mine; and I really like "Frim Fram Sauce." "Frim Fram Sauce" gets the perfect treatment and these artists shine bright! Diana's vocals are very well done; and the music fits in perfectly with the lyrics that she sings. "Jimmie" again features a terrific arrangement for the bass; and listen for "As Long As I Live." Harold Arlen composed the music for this number and they play with it nicely; their improvising enhances the natural beauty of this ballad; it all holds its own very well. The album also ends very strong with Diana Krall and the others performing "On The Sunny Side Of The Street." "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" is a number I have heard performed by many artists; and this rendition shows a great deal of creativity while sticking to the gist of the song.



Diana Krall's debut CD puts her right up front and center as a multitalented artist; and she remains so to this day. It's a fine album that I recommend for Diana's fans; and people who like creative, jazzy arrangements of classic pop vocal tunes will cherish this album for many years to come.

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