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Title: Where's the jazz?
Review: Ms. Krall's latest album consists of stylish renditions of standard tunes, consisting of "mood music" appropriate for rainy days and background music. Unfortunately, for those who remember her earlier albums or may have heard her perform, there is very little if any of her substantial jazz piano playing ability on display. Given the abundance of elevator music and/or "smooth jazz" offerings, it is regrettable that Ms. Krall does not have the courage, conviction, or perhaps opportunity to simply record a straight ahead, hard bop trio album (or a quartet with someone of note -- Joe Lovano?). Most likely, given the success of her last two albums, she has the means to choose her own artistic projects. Her tasty, well-constructed improvisations were such a welcome addition to the new jazz talent that made its brief debut in the early and mid 90s. Now they have taken an excellent piano player who is easy on the eyes and made her a fixture of yuppie love affairs.
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