Diana Krall: Live In Rio

Wholenote Discoveries - July 2009
When I first heard that Diana Krall had released a DVD of a concert in Rio de Janeiro, I marvelled at the chutzpah it takes for a girl from Nanaimo, B.C. to perform bossa nova for an audience in the country of its birth. Then I thought, if any non-Brazilian is qualified to sing the music known as “a whisper in the wind” it’s Krall. With her laid-back, breathy delivery and ability to maintain energy and groove on very slow tempos, she seems born to bossa. And the Rio audience on the DVD apparently agrees, as it’s the bossa standards like So Nice and Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado) that get the biggest response of the evening. But “Live in Rio” is not all Brazilian beats, as it opens in full-on jazz mode with the quartet — long-time compatriots Anthony Wilson, guitar, John Clayton, bass, Jeff Hamilton, drums and Krall on piano and vocals — swinging hard through I Love Being Here With You. With so much attention paid to Krall’s singing talents, it’s great to see her stretch out on piano, since her first ambition was to be a jazz pianist, before she discovered she had a voice. A full orchestra conducted by Ruria Duprat joins the band on many of the down tempo numbers and with Claus Ogerman’s arrangements the gorgeousness factor on those songs goes through the roof. Masterfully shot and edited, the camera work allows long looks at Krall, mostly, but also frequently cuts to the rest of the band and lingers on the musicians’ hands during solos. Footage of adoring glimpses of Rio — beaches, parks, mountains, with the grittiness and slums discreetly left out — are interspersed to break up the concert footage. At a little over two hours running time, with an extra of interviews with Krall and the band members talking about their affinity for bossa nova and Rio, this is a satisfying and intimate visit with one of the most deservedly popular and genuine jazz singers performing today. Cathy Riches
Using a deep and often sultry cocktail of bossa nova, samba, and Latin tones over delightful jazz and standard compositions, Diana Krall provides a stylish and intimate performance on Live in Rio. The DVD features the Canadian jazz pianist and vocalist working tightly with her quartet and a full orchestra. The DVD, showcasing a concert recorded live at Vivo Rio in Rio de Janeiro in 2008, is quiet and warm for the most part. The majority of the material is focused on her March 31 release, Quiet Nights, but she does pull out some fun standards.

Price: $19.98