CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR KRALL-AN ARTIST WITH VERVE

IN a shrewd marketing move, Diana Krall has pre-empted the festive season rush with an early release of some perfect "chill" standards.

This is great late-night, slow dance music, or just relaxing with your favorite cocktail! Canadian Krall enthralls with superb big band arrangements, her sultry vocals weaving in and out of the muted horns, sax solos and a guitar bossa beat on How Insensitive. Love the subtle phrasing of the artist on Isn't This a Lovely Day-a stand-out track with slow piano introduction. I'm not sure if I detected a slight lisp at the start of It Could Happen To You. Very reminiscent of the way Sinatra would perform this upbeat tune-with say the Count Basie big band.

Krall is now one of the world's best-loved artists.

Her versatility knows no bounds. She's certainly the tops with me.

davidjd

entertainment writer

Melbourne

Australia

Posted: 01-Oct-2006 10:24:43 PM

MEL0DIOUS MELUA CAPTIVATES THE POP WORLD

BRIT Katie Melua has only released two albums-but already she's an overnight sensation. The lovely,dark-haired singer has reportedly outsold Madonna and Mariah Carey in her native UK.

The above songs are taken from her new album Piece By Piece. Nine Million Bicycles in Beijing is one of the most hauntingly beautiful ballads I have heard.

The eastern-flavored instrumentation is highly atmospheric-with a glorious pan pipe/flute solo. I haven't seen this pan pipe-looking instrument before-so I can only suggest it may be all the way from China.

Shy boy is more upbeat and very catchy.

This is a trademark of the Melua genius - the ease with which she switches genres:whether it's rock,blues or ballads.

Katie admirers can now enjoy Piece By Piece in a Special Bonus Edition.

It includes the above two songs, an additional three tracks including an acoustic version of the John Lennon classic Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, and a DVD of her sell-out 2006 European tour.

I'm sure she will soon conquer the American market.

She is now one of the world's leading melody-makers. Don't miss Katie Melua.

Posted: 30-Sep-2006 11:25:22 PM

LANA FLIES THE AUSSIE JAZZ FLAG

AS a permanent resident of Australia, I have to shamefully admit I'm not familiar with Ms Martino-Smith's work.

But I will certainly make amends for this oversight.

Lana has a monumental task to get her voice heard, especially in the United States.

Comparisons with Norah Jones are inevitable.

However, the two tracks demonstrate an artist of much more versatility than a Jones-clone.

As I write, this 'four-star plus' artist has a certain future - in the overcrowded "new jazz" market.

-davidjd

melbourne

australia

Posted: 12-Feb-2008 06:45:23 PM