Tim Tamashiro is CBC Music's Jazz Evangelist and host of CBC Radio 2's Tonic. The Jazz Evangelist's mantra? "Come to the jazz side. We have martinis!" Expect a straight-up celebration of jazz, with a twist of critical thinking. Today, a look at Diana Krall's new album, Glad Rag Doll.
Coffee, tea and Diana Krall in her underwear. That's what I got the other day at Starbucks when I saw that Krall’s new album, Glad Rag Doll, is available for sale at the counter. Good for her, Starbucks is a steady seller of jazz.
Krall is famously posing in seductive lingerie on the cover, but you’re not going to get a laid-back-caramel-macchiato-and-romance sound with this new album. No, it's more shot-of-espresso-no-sugar, a bitter kinda sound.
The truth is, Krall has done a lot more than turn eyes and get the conversation going with the album cover; she's also exploring new musical ground. See if it’s your cup of tea — you can hear some of the music (as well as Elvis Costello interviewing Krall and the album's producer, T Bone Burnett) in this video.
Now, about that much talked about album cover. Krall knows the images that appear on her album covers sell. Album art is also part of the creative process, as well as a marketing tool. But to me, there's a disconnect between the sexy cover photo and the music that's contained in the album. The album cover says "ooh la-la" but the music says "23 skidoo." It's a stretch.
Still, this new Krall album is something of a "stretch record" anyway, one where she can step outside of her musical box and try something new. And here's the thing: listening to Glad Rag Doll is a rewarding experience. It cleanses your musical palate and leaves you wanting more. She's tried new things in the past (bossa nova and orchestral arrangements), but this time Krall seems genuinely excited about a new musical direction. It makes you wonder, what will be next?
Have you heard Diana Krall's new album? What do you think of the music — or the cover? Let us know below.
Related:
Diana Krall reveals herself in Glad Rag Doll
Emilie-Claire Barlow's French immersion
Q&A: Elizabeth Shepherd on Rewind, jazz and motherhood