Music Review: Diana Krall, Wallflower

Diana Krall

Wallflower is Diana Krall's 12th studio album and a departure from her usual focus on the jazz idiom in that it's a pure pop release. Krall has gone to the top shelf for her selections and her delivery, in every case, stamps an individual sound on what are very familiar songs. Songs like the Eagles' Desperado and I Can't Tell You Why, Gilbert O'Sullivan's Alone Again Naturally, 10CC's I'm Not In Love, and Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.

Krall's rich voice, her interpretation, and the phrasing all make each one special, aided by her own piano accompaniment, some lush strings on occasion, and the occasional calypso feel. The Elton John cover, in particular, is stunning. There are also extra treats in the Bonus tracks on Wallflower. The Beatles' In My Life for instance, and a superb live duet with Georgie Fame on his hit Yeh Yeh.

If you want an album of familiar music, brilliantly performed, perfect for dinner parties, you won't do better than Diana Krall's Wallflower.