All for You (A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio) [LP]

Personnel: Diana Krall (vocals, piano); Benny Green (piano); Russell Malone (guitar); Paul Keller (bass); Steve Kroon (percussion).
Recorded at The Power Station, New York, New York on October 3-8, 1995. Includes liner notes by Terry Teachout.
ALL FOR YOU was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.
Tributee: Nat King Cole.
On this salute to pianist/vocalist extraordinaire Cole, Diana Krall has a lot to live up to, presenting a group of compositions that are ingrained in the public's memory as part of a lasting legacy of both jazz and pop music. It's to her credit that she went about this intimidating task with a resourcefulness and quiet grace that make ALL FOR YOU an exceptional tribute.
The bulk of ALL FOR YOU features Krall in an appropriately unadorned trio setting, and it captures the essence of the Cole trio's arrangements without resorting to slavish imitation. With guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Paul Keller, Krall swings hard on "I'm An Errand Girl For Rhythm" and "Hit That Jive Jack," often employing Cole trio devices such as repeated unison figures and on-top-of-the-beat eighth notes on bass. Nowhere, however, does she attempt to emulate Cole's vocal or piano style. Her own sultry, understated singing and crisp, straightforward piano combine to present a well-developed artistic vision that is distinctive enough to cast a new light on these classic songs.