Category: Jazz & Blues

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 7:32 Min.

It’s the tenth track off The Harry Connick, Jr. Trio’s 1990 instrumental album, Lofty’s Roach Soufflé.  With Connick, Jr. on piano, the trio consists of Benjamin Wolfe (bass) and Shannon Powell (drums).  Connick, Jr. also composted this tune. 

REVIEW:

Soft and wistful, “Little Dancing Girl” is likely this album’s most contemplative track.  There’s a melancholic stretch where the tune goes noticeably faint at times.  This creative effect doesn’t ruin listening so much, as it just may require turning up the volume.  Also, the track prolongs itself more than necessary, as it easily could have been at least a minute or two shorter.  Despite lacking the zest of some of this album’s other tunes, “Little Dancing Girl” still offers a solid, low-key treat for jazz enthusiasts.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                6½ Stars

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 4:38 Min.

From her 2017 cover album, Turn Up the Quiet, Diana Krall offers her take on this familiar 1932 Cole Porter show tune.       

REVIEW:

Combining her spot-on piano work with 1940’s lounge singer-style vocals, Diana Krall’s interpretation of “Night and Day” is a textbook example of elegant old school jazz.  Whether as a solo download or as part of her Turn Up the Quiet album, this tune is definitely worth adding to a favorite jazz playlist. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      8½ Stars

SUMMARY:                                  RUNNING TIME: 3:36 Min.

Collaborating with Jimmy Webb, Carly Simon includes this jazz standard as a duet on her 1997 Film Noir album.  The song written by Frank Loesser dates back to 1944. 

REVIEW:

Backed by a piano-dominant melody, this softly downbeat ballad initially sounds reminiscent of something Barry Manilow might have conjured up in the Late ‘70s.  What sets this track apart is the curious inclusion of electric guitar late in the song.  If meant solely as an instrumental contrast to give the duet a pause, it’s fine – otherwise, the guitar work doesn’t seem all that necessary. 

As to the duet itself, Carly Simon and Jimmy Webb’s teamwork establishes a finely-tuned, almost timeless chemistry.  Overall, this classy cover isn’t a must in terms of a download, but it should please easy listening fans. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7 Stars

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SUMMARY:                                     RUNNING TIME: 5:15 Min.

From her 2017 cover album, Turn Up the Quiet, Diana Krall revisits the 1933 jazz standard composed by Will Hudson, Irving Mills, and lyricist Eddie De Lange.   

REVIEW:

To Diana Krall’s credit, she takes an intriguing approach to “Moonglow.”  With her throaty vocals resembling a 1930’s chanteuse, this quiet rendition of the jazz classic benefits from a low-key acoustic approach.  All in all, the sound is classy, but it’s also ponderously slow.  Over the course of five minutes, Krall’s take on “Moonglow” is so excessively mellow that one might be nearly lulled to sleep.  In that sense, this lingering “Moonglow” would make an ideal addition to relaxation and sleep aid playlists.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  6 Stars

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 4:21 Min.

From her 2017 cover album, Turn Up the Quiet, Diana Krall revisits Nat King Cole’s 1965 jazz classic.     

REVIEW:

Bolstered by a low-key instrumental approach, Diana Krall’s take on “L-O-V-E” is a delight.  Her husky rendition is both classy and well-played.  It’s a serene little gem of old-school easy listening. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         8 Stars