Diana Krall When I Look in Your Eyes 180g Verve 2LP

Grammy®-nominated vocalist/pianist's Verve debut features orchestrations by Johnny Mandel and production by Tommy LiPuma.

If artistry is about growth, then count Diana Krall as one of jazz's consummate artists. When I Look in Your Eyes is yet another step ahead for the vocalist/pianist. This gorgeous Verve release breaks away from the standard piano trio setting of her two previous releases; several of the album's cuts feature the graceful orchestrations of maestro Johnny Mandel.

"I hadn't thought about making an album with strings until Johnny Mandel called," Krall admits. "I still wanted to do more with my trio and quartet, and I wasn't really comfortable with a complete switchover. So to me, this is the best of both worlds: the Diana Krall trio with Johnny Mandel orchestrating some of the tunes."

The Canadian-born Krall cites Mandel's previous work with Frank Sinatra (Ring A Ding Ding!) and Claus Ogerman's João Gilberto session (Amoroso) as inspirations for the work on this album.

The songs on When I Look in Your Eyes range from the playful "Popsicle Toes" to the seductive "Do It Again." The album also features Krall's interpretations of such standards as "Let's Face the Music and Dance," "I Can't Give You Anything but Love," "Devil May Care," and a bossa nova reworking of "I've Got You Under My Skin."

When I Look in Your Eyes features Krall on piano and vocals with longtime trio mate Russell Malone on guitar. Ben Wolfe and John Clayton share bass duties, and Jeff Hamilton and Lewis Nash alternate on drums. The album was produced by Grammy® winner and Verve Music Group Chairman Tommy LiPuma, with some tracks being co-produced by LiPuma and Mandel. It was recorded by Al Schmitt.