Diana Krall - All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series) [2LP]

Diana Krall's All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio is a loving, swinging tribute, newly presented across two LPs as part of the Verve Acoustic Sounds Series.

Released in 1996, her third studio album borrowed the piano, guitar and bass format that Cole made famous, with no drummer in sight. Producer Tommy LiPuma recorded the sessions at the Power Station in New York, where guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Paul Keller matched Krall's every move. Benny Green sits in on piano for one track and Steve Kroon adds percussion to another, but the focus stays firmly on that intimate trio sound.

I'm an Errand Girl for Rhythm opens with a wink, Krall's sly vocal riding a light, finger-snapping groove, while Frim Fram Sauce relishes the playful wordplay of one of Cole's best-loved novelties. Boulevard of Broken Dreams slows to a smoky, after-hours hush, and Hit That Jive Jack shows how tightly the trio locks in at tempo, Malone's guitar trading phrases with her piano.

It is the album where Krall's blend of understated vocals and elegant swing came into full focus. Spread across four sides, these performances have plenty of room to breathe, and the set makes a gorgeous companion to the Cole recordings that inspired it.