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Track Listings
| 1. Where Or When |
| 2. Too Marvelous For Words |
| 3. I've Grown Accustomed To His Face |
| 4. Boy From Ipanema, The |
| 5. Walk On By |
| 6. You're My Thrill |
| 7. Este Seu Olhar |
| 8. So Nice |
| 9. Quiet Nights |
| 10. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry |
| 11. How Can I Mend A Broken Heart |
| 12. Every Time We Say Goodbye |
| 13. Boy From Ipanema - video track |
| 14. Walk On By - video track |
Product Description
Review
It was only a matter of time before Diana Krall turned her attention to bossa nova, but the result, now that it's here, makes you wish she had got there a little sooner.
Surrounding herself with a crack quartet - Anthony Wilson on guitar, John Clayton on bass, and percussionists John Clayton and Paulinho Da Costa - backed by a Claus Ogerman-led orchestra, Krall turns Quiet Nights into a 'love letter for my husband' aka Elvis Costello, with a meticulously manicured production co-authored by Krall herself and Tommy LiPuma.
She owes a double debt to Ogerman, whose strings-saturated arrangements ooze with a seriously sensuous, impeccably crafted sophistication. Mixing bossa nova classics with jazz standards, Krall lowers her voice to virtually sub-sonic levels to deliver husky, half-whispered but deliciously sultry performances so packed with sentimental billet doux that half way through it all threatens to congeal into one intrusive, gelatinous mass.
This is dreamy, gently swaying, cocktail bar music making given the glossiest of productions. As such, it works best when listened to with half an ear (and probably at 4am in the morning). It's then Krall's sotto voce approach comes into its own; I've Grown Accustomed to His Face, So Nice, Too Marvellous for Words and You're My Thrill all becoming enviously intimate confessionals.
Krall even turns The Boy From Ipanema into a torch song that pads and prowls with deliberately underplayed intent while the title track is all brooding desire and wish fulfilment. But when the approach goes wrong, it borders on turning the Bacharach/David classic Walk On By into a curiously anaemic apology.
Limited edition discs also carry two bonus tracks: a surprisingly effective cover of the Bee Gees' How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and a pared back, paced down version of Cole Porter's Every Time We Say Goodbye.
It's not what you might expect of Krall or, for that matter, bossa nova, and nor is it jazz, but in its own deliberately dissipated dreaminess it has an obvious understated allure all of its own. --Michael Quinn
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Diana Krall is without a doubt the first lady of jazz--a household name around the world, even in households where jazz wouldn't normally find a home. Quiet Nights is her first studio album since 2006's From This Moment On, and marks a return to the stylistic and commercial success of The Girl In The Other Room. Focusing on the music of Brazil, in particular the Bossa Nova, the production team of Tommy LiPuma and Claus Ogerman have created a seductive and sensual backdrop to Diana's distinctive voice. Diana sings three Brazilian classics, adapts four standards, and adds three ballads to the mix. This special UK version of Quiet Nights includes two exclusive video performances.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Bagpuss
Format:Audio CD
I despair of the terrible arrogance of most reviewers of this thoroughly classy Diana Krall bossa nova album. I'm a musician and composer so maybe that's why I can appreciate what's on offer here. The band plays the music to perfection, the orchestral arrangements are exquisite and Krall's breathy vocal delivery compliments these perfectly.
There's too much emphasis on music having to be raw and edgy - what if that's not the artist's or musicians' intention? Does that make anything they do pointless or schmaltzy? No - but you do have to listen and not be afraid of gentle, sweet sounds. Turn it up and feel this gorgeous music envelop you. I listen to all sorts, from Ornette Coleman to Ligeti, so I'm not some nattering old gimmer sipping tea to radio twee. I'm just not swayed by some false notion of authenticity and anti-tonal prejudice.
This is a fantastic record - on a par with the very best jazz recordings. Just don't judge it by comparing it to Coltrane or expect it to be something it isn't.
There's too much emphasis on music having to be raw and edgy - what if that's not the artist's or musicians' intention? Does that make anything they do pointless or schmaltzy? No - but you do have to listen and not be afraid of gentle, sweet sounds. Turn it up and feel this gorgeous music envelop you. I listen to all sorts, from Ornette Coleman to Ligeti, so I'm not some nattering old gimmer sipping tea to radio twee. I'm just not swayed by some false notion of authenticity and anti-tonal prejudice.
This is a fantastic record - on a par with the very best jazz recordings. Just don't judge it by comparing it to Coltrane or expect it to be something it isn't.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By R. G. Miller
Format:Audio CD
As a crusty old (70) jazzer I often despair at the lack of jazz and good old songs on the radio these days, so when something like this comes along I jump at the chance. I was not disappointed. Diana Krall is a brilliantly talented musician, both vocally and keyboard-wise, supported by very professional accompaniment.
As for the "slow and dreamy" flavour (which many have criticised, I notice) well, that's a personal taste thing, isn't it? It has been my cup of tea for many years and Diana Krall does it perfectly, adding her own inventive signature to every song.
As for the "slow and dreamy" flavour (which many have criticised, I notice) well, that's a personal taste thing, isn't it? It has been my cup of tea for many years and Diana Krall does it perfectly, adding her own inventive signature to every song.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Majkic
Format:Audio CD
I've been a big admirer of Diana Krall ever since I bought "When I Look In Your Eyes", which to my ears is still her best CD to date. Loved some of the others, too, but this, I have to say, is a bit disappointing.
Not that it's downright bad, but here we have Diana moving perilously close in style and production to the sort of stuff churned out mercilessly by the soporific Norah ("Snorah") Jones. If you like Norah, you'll love this.
The super-close miked breathy vocals are un-necessary (thinks, "we already KNOW these songs are supposed to be romantic...") and the production doesn't really do Diana's usally exceptional voice any justice. The performances are, as ever, polished - but most of the songs performed here I'd frankly rather hear in their original incarnations.
A set of love songs dedicated to lucky hubby Elvis Costello, this collection is just a bit too soft, sweet and gooey for my tastes. Diana has often sent tingles down my spine with her romantic numbers (try "Why Should I Care" on the aforementioned "When I Look In Your Eyes") -- but this somehow lacks that certain spark, the "je ne sais quoi" that makes her other CD's such essential listening.
Not that it's downright bad, but here we have Diana moving perilously close in style and production to the sort of stuff churned out mercilessly by the soporific Norah ("Snorah") Jones. If you like Norah, you'll love this.
The super-close miked breathy vocals are un-necessary (thinks, "we already KNOW these songs are supposed to be romantic...") and the production doesn't really do Diana's usally exceptional voice any justice. The performances are, as ever, polished - but most of the songs performed here I'd frankly rather hear in their original incarnations.
A set of love songs dedicated to lucky hubby Elvis Costello, this collection is just a bit too soft, sweet and gooey for my tastes. Diana has often sent tingles down my spine with her romantic numbers (try "Why Should I Care" on the aforementioned "When I Look In Your Eyes") -- but this somehow lacks that certain spark, the "je ne sais quoi" that makes her other CD's such essential listening.
24 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By ST
Format:Audio CD
"Quiet Nights" is Diana Krall's twelfth album, which marks her first work with the 79 year-old legendary arranger Claus Ogerman (Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim) since 2002's "Live in Paris", and her first studio work with Ogerman since 2001's "The Look of Love".
She may have started out as a jazz pianist/vocalist but these days Diana Krall seems to have ditched any semblance of swing in favour of sickly string arrangements.
Her voice is lush and exquisite but she overdoes the breathiness - to the point that one wonders if a ventilator is required - and sticks too much to indistinguishable, slow bossa novas and ballads.
The result is a florid and bland album that washes over the listener.
My favourite tracks are : "Too Marvelous For Words", "Walk On By", and "So Nice".
The album reaches # 1 of Billboard Top Jazz Albums. Issue date 2009-04-18
Live In Paris
Lazy Afternoon track # 5
Brazil duet with Diana Krall on track # 3
You're My Thrill
She may have started out as a jazz pianist/vocalist but these days Diana Krall seems to have ditched any semblance of swing in favour of sickly string arrangements.
Her voice is lush and exquisite but she overdoes the breathiness - to the point that one wonders if a ventilator is required - and sticks too much to indistinguishable, slow bossa novas and ballads.
The result is a florid and bland album that washes over the listener.
My favourite tracks are : "Too Marvelous For Words", "Walk On By", and "So Nice".
The album reaches # 1 of Billboard Top Jazz Albums. Issue date 2009-04-18
Live In Paris
Lazy Afternoon track # 5
Brazil duet with Diana Krall on track # 3
You're My Thrill
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Siamese
Format:Audio CD
For the life of me I can't understand many of the reviews written concerning "Quiet Nights"! Some complain that there's not enough Jazz in this album, while most point out how 'breathless' or 'whispery' Diana Krall's singing voice sounds here. I guess there's no two ways about it, and either you love her style or downright hate it. I love her so very much and, consequently, I'll most definitely be and sound biased in my review.
I love every song in this album and Ms. Krall's homage to Brazil's Bossa Nova music makes it a bit different from her previous albums. Moreover, it means more to me than it might have to others because I'm Portuguese and Bossa Nova speaks volumes to me culturally, and especially the track 'Este Seu Olhar' (roughly translated: 'That Look in Your Eyes') was so enchanting! What did not change was the way that the music moves me, being so soothing and marvellously orchestrated, to the point where I wept when I first listened to some of the songs included here.
I must stress that I'm not a Jazz fanatic and in fact much of it turns me off. That being said, I feel this album falls in the same category as "The Look of Love" and a great chunk of "When I look in Your Eyes" did, where Diana Krall gave a new lease of life to old classic standards to such a degree it me made me fall completely in love with her musical style.
My final words will be a small side note: I saw Diana Krall perform live in Lisbon last October, and she sounded absolutely wonderful!
I love every song in this album and Ms. Krall's homage to Brazil's Bossa Nova music makes it a bit different from her previous albums. Moreover, it means more to me than it might have to others because I'm Portuguese and Bossa Nova speaks volumes to me culturally, and especially the track 'Este Seu Olhar' (roughly translated: 'That Look in Your Eyes') was so enchanting! What did not change was the way that the music moves me, being so soothing and marvellously orchestrated, to the point where I wept when I first listened to some of the songs included here.
I must stress that I'm not a Jazz fanatic and in fact much of it turns me off. That being said, I feel this album falls in the same category as "The Look of Love" and a great chunk of "When I look in Your Eyes" did, where Diana Krall gave a new lease of life to old classic standards to such a degree it me made me fall completely in love with her musical style.
My final words will be a small side note: I saw Diana Krall perform live in Lisbon last October, and she sounded absolutely wonderful!
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3.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Krall
Fine studio recorded album displaying Ms Kralls undoubted skills as she covers a selection of smooth and shmaltzy renditions of a variety of tracks.
Published 2 months ago by stewart elliot
3.0 out of 5 stars
Relaxing - yes
not what I expected I wanted more Antonio Carlos Jobim style singing.
But is was nice for a change from Alfie Boe and Russel Watson!!!
But is was nice for a change from Alfie Boe and Russel Watson!!!
Published 4 months ago by Noreen Gallimore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vinyl demise has been greatly exaggerated
Typically sultry Dianna Krall outing with some excellent covers such as Lady Days "Guess I'll hang my tears out to dry" and Astrid Gilbertos "Girl from Ipanema", changed to "boy"... Read more
Published on 4 May 2011 by G. R. Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars
There is only one Diana Krall
Excellent condition ,delvered on time and a continuous pleasure to listen to .Asmall deviation from her
usual work.
usual work.
Published on 8 Feb 2011 by brijan
1.0 out of 5 stars
Where is the video?
I love Diana Krall
So when I saw her excellent video Quiet Nights on TV and heard she has a new disk out called "Quiet Nights" that includes 2 bonus videos. Read more
So when I saw her excellent video Quiet Nights on TV and heard she has a new disk out called "Quiet Nights" that includes 2 bonus videos. Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2010 by JB
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quiet Nights
One of the best CDs i have bought in a long time. Diana at her very best.!
Published on 9 Sep 2010 by Mr. Robert Sunley
4.0 out of 5 stars
quiet nights
As expected this quiet jazz cd, whilst being very good does not quite come up to the best of Diana Krall CD. (Compolation). Read more
Published on 4 July 2010 by Naturist
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good buy
Soothing music, great voice. Diana Krall's maybe not the best record but very pleasing to the ear. Have been her fan for a while so I enjoy most of her work. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by I. McEntaggart
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delicious
Quiet Nights has had some mixed reviews , however, I think it is a fabulous collection of songs. Here Diana returns to the bossa nova style and ballads reminicant of her Look Of... Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by Stuart A. Smith
2.0 out of 5 stars
I love Diana Krall...
Her voice is playful yet sultry and her piano playing is perfectly dynamic and swinging... Just not on this album. And not for a few albums already actually... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by Tom Timmermans
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