2021 · Album
Studio 104: Maison de Radio France
Recorded 2021, Maison de Radio France, Paris · Verve Records · Produced by Diana Krall
Krall Live, Relaxed, and Swinging in Paris
Krall sounds completely at home here — no showboating, just a pianist and singer doing exactly what she does well.
This live recording captures Diana Krall performing at the Maison de Radio France in Paris, and the setting suits her perfectly. The room gives the performance a kind of intimacy that big concert halls don't always allow, and Krall responds to it. She's not pushing for effect. Her piano playing is understated and rhythmically confident, and her voice sits right in the pocket of the arrangements rather than sitting on top of them. If you've heard her studio records and wondered what she sounds like with some actual air in the room, this is a good answer.
The repertoire leans on the Great American Songbook material she's always been most comfortable with — the kind of songs where the melody is strong enough that you can take your time with them. Her trio work here is tight without being stiff. The interplay between Krall and her bandmates gives the record a conversational quality that some of her more polished studio albums can lack. There's a looseness to it that feels earned rather than accidental.
That said, this isn't the place to start if you're new to Krall. Something like Love Scenes (1997) or When I Look in Your Eyes (1999) makes a stronger first impression. This one is for people who already know they like her and want to hear what she sounds like in a live context with a sympathetic audience. For that specific purpose, it delivers. The performances are warm, the sound quality is solid, and Krall is clearly enjoying herself. Sometimes that's enough.
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