Customer Reviews

When I Look in Your Eyes (Sl)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am one of those compulsive nuts who has my radio permanently set on scan because I can't stand to listen to a song I don't like. I will never forget the day I heard the song "Why Should I Care" in my never ending search for the perfect song. I literally pulled my car off the road, turned up the radio and sat there in awe. I bought this CD the minute I had the chance. There is not a track on this album that is anything but great. If you are a jazz fan, and a Diana Krall fan in particular, this album will not disappoint.

There are plenty of reviews discussing Diana Krall and this album, so I'll skip repeating what they say and just comment on the difference between the CD and SACD versions. I've had the CD version of this album for years and love it. I recently got the SACD version (which is also stereo, unfortunately; multi-channel would have been great) and was surprised at how different it sounds. The CD version is brighter and seems to have less bass. Which is truer to the original performance? I don't know, but the SACD version ends up sounding a little cleaner.

"When I Look in Your Eyes," by Canadian born jazz singer/pianist Diana Krall was released in 1999, with underlying orchestral arrangements by noted jazz composer/arranger Johnny Mandel. Krall recalls that, in her first conversation with Mandel, she told him that she was both a singer and a pianist. Mandel replied," Oh, so you're a hyphenate! Are you a singer-pianist or a pianist-singer?" The singer then confirms that her favorite singers have all played piano too: she lists Dinah Washington, Roberta Flack, Shirley Horn, Fats Waller, Andy Bay, and "especially" Carmen McRae: "ultimately" Nat King Cole.

Krall, who was granted a scholarship to the prestigious Boston Berklee College of Music, and is married to British singer Elvis Costello, won a Grammy for 1999 Jazz Vocalist of the year for the album, for which she also received an Album of the Year nomination. She knows how to swing a song; gives a song its emotional due, and demonstrates a true feeling for jazz. She can be bluesy when called for, or painterly on a ballad, and, very importantly, she tends to know what the lyrics are about. "When" is a compilation of some of the greatest items in the American Songbook."Let's Face the Music and Dance," a late, intense song by George Gershwin, gets outstanding treatment, as does the title song, and Cole Porter's "I've Got You under My Skin," a signature of Frank Sinatra's. "I Can't Give You Anything but Love," and "Let's Fall in Love,"are smooth and soothing as your favorite bartender's martini.

From overhead elevator conversation, I've gathered that many people prefer Live in Paris,(2002), her first live concert release, as they find it swings more, but "When" is surely a nice record to have around the house, when you're in the mood. This particular version of it is in SACD; that's enhanced sound, if, lucky you, you've got the equipment it calls for.

I wont be doing comparisions, or critique on performance. I expect the SACD 5.1 and the 2 channel to sound better than a red book version.....I know that is not always true. When I buy a SACD, I expect some WOW, something, not a sonic turd. This SACD is not a sonic turd. Straight from the first 10 seconds, you know if there is potential. I loved it. Sound quality is excellent. The music lends itself well to high resolution. The finally test....will I EVER play this again? Yes,I will.

This SACD delivers the voice of Diana as I heard it live. One warning: this sacd will not play on regular CD-palyers!

I own the standard version of this album and it is excellent. I have since gotten an Oppo BD-93 universal disc player and been opened to the world of SACD and DVD-audio. I can say without a doubt that Diana Krall never sounded so amazing. I have purchased all three of her albums available in SACD and each brings a new level of warmth and lifelike sound that just has to be experienced. Grab them while you can! They are one of the few titles left that are available for a good price.

Diana Krall has an absolutely fantastic voice and this SACD recording helps bring that to life at home.

The subtle textures of her singing come through clearly and the soundstage is wide with fair depth. The music is very well engineered and doesn't carry the torch of so many modern recordings that are over-compressed and lifeless. This recording puts Diana right in front of you, centered in the sound and very clear. Other instruments play in different areas in the stage and are all very well represented. With the right equipment this album will bring this performance to life in your home and you can almost touch the instruments yourself as they play.

As for the music itself, this album is the first time I've sat down and done any critical listening to Diana Krall. I find the music to be well produced and open with a natural and laid-back feeling that I expect from a great jazz album. The inclusion of vibraphone on some tracks just adds icing to the, already sweet, cake.

Lyrically this album is clever and engaging with great writing and some excellent imagery.

Overall this album is one you can enjoy listening intently to or playing as you work or accomplish other tasks around the house as it's quality is fantastic and it's also a very pleasant experience musically.

Primary listening: Onkyo TX-NR808 receiver, Pioneer DV610AV-S Player, Polk Audio Monitor 60 Series II speakers
Secondary listening: Yamaha DSP-A3090 receiver, Sunfire Stereo amplifier, Pioneer DV610AV-S Player, Polk Audio Monitor 60 Series II speakers
Additional Listening: McIntosh C220 tube preamp, McIntosh MC275 tube amp, McIntosh MCD301 SACD player, Martin Logan Spire electrostatic speakers

Very nice recording in both stereo and multi-channel SACD. Make sure your 5.1 setup is calibrated to your SACD player, as the surround channels are strong.

I have two versions of " When I Look in Your Eyes " CD and the SACD. They are both excellent but the SACD version is superior to the standard version. The SACD offers a slightly bigger presentation & more of everything good. All of Diana Krall's Productions are terrific sounding great even on modest systems.

I'm a fan of Jazz and Diana Krall and have just about all of her albums. But this one is definetely my favorite one, followed by the Look of Love. I like almost all the songs here -- good variety from fast tempos like Devil may care and East of the Sun, West of the Moon to slow Bossa tempos like I got you under my skin to bouncy ballad like Let's fall in Love. A big thumbs up from me.