I had the pleasure last year of seeing Diana Krall from the fourth row orchestra of the Wang Center. She sings and plays piano with a small ensemble of musicians. Although the Wang Center is a concert hall that seats a few thousand people, Diana Krall still made me feel like I was in a small intimate jazz club. (Being in the fourth row didn't hurt).
Diana Krall is one artist who has not only released many CDs, she is also an artist who has released several of her albums on both DVD-Audio and SACD. I have a few of her CDs and enjoyed them all. My first album pick from Diana Krall on Super Audio Compact Disc was "When I Look in Your Eyes". No particular reason for picking that one, I like her others as well. So, why do I tell you about my seeing Diana Krall in concert and what does that have to do with a SACD release review? On CD, Diana Krall sounds good, on SACD (surround sound mix) you can close your eyes, and picture yourself right inside a small intimate jazz club seated in the middle of the stage no less! It really reminded me of the concert experience. If you thought her voice could melt ice cream before, turn your freezer up before putting this SACD in your surround sound system. Okay, that line was a little hoakey, forgive me, but Diana's voice just sounds sultrier and sexier on the SACD. Most arrangements on "When I look in Your Eyes" are only four instruments. When you listen to this on SACD, it sounds like all four have been set up in your living room. Diana's piano seems as if it is right next to you, or slightly behind you. Her smooth voice just seems to float in the air in the middle of the room. The bass player usually plays in the center front stage, and guitar and drum are placed to the sides. (It varied from song to song).
The surround sound mix just really makes you feel right there. It provides an intimacy with the quartet that you just don't feel in stereo. I love to listen to this album in the sweet spot (you know, the cushy leather recliner right in the middle towards the rear of the sound field) with my eyes closed. That is not to say that the stereo track doesn't sound terrific, it does, I just prefer the surround sound mixes. This album will NOT play on a regular CD player, it only plays on SACD players. Some SACDs are hybrids which have tracks that will play on regular CD players and SACD players. When I look in Your Eyes has an SACD stereo track and an SACD surround sound track.
The SACD features a bonus track, " Why Should I Care?" co-written by Clint Eastwood (and Carole Sager & Linda Thompson). Yes, that Clint Eastwood, he is a big jazz fan.
I guess one thing I miss on the SACD, and this is my opinion on SACD vs. DVD-Audio in general, and not this album in particular, is the visual elements. I enjoy the added bonus videos, or the photo albums and visual menus that DVD-Audio uses. The only visual you will get with SACD is some print on your TV that says SACD track 1 or track 2 searching etc. I enjoy even seeing the still photos of the artist on my TV as I listen that DVD Audio provides. (Perhaps more so, when that artist is the lovely Diana Krall).
All of Diana Krall's recent albums have been available in CD, DVD-Audio and SACD, so she really gives her fans whatever options they want. I think next time I pick out a Diana Krall album, I will try one in the DVD Audio format.
As to the music itself, I will provide my brief opinion on the content as music. "When I Look In Your Eyes" is a selection of covers. Diana Krall in my opinion has a very smooth and sexy voice. It does far more for me than a Britney Spears or Christina Aguelira can any day of the week. The arrangements of the songs; the clarity and sound are very well done (even on the original CD which I owned prior to the SACD). In stereo or in surround, you can really hear the details in each individual instrument. Krall creates a jazz club atmosphere very well. The added depth and jazz club feeling of the surround sound mix is worth purchasing the SACD. The songs here are of the slow romantic variety.
This disc includes the following songs:
Lets Face the Music and Dance
Devil May Care
Let's Fall in Love
When I look in your eyes
Popsicle Toes
I've Got you Under my Skin
I can't give you anything but love
I'll String along with you
East of the Sun
Pick Yourself Up
The Best Thing for You (is me)
Do it Again (Gershwin, not Steely Dan)
Why Should I Care for You (bonus track only on SACD)
Recommended:
