Diana Krall at Hamilton Place: A Quiet Night to Remember

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The hardest part was restraining myself from singing aloud last night, at the posh Hamilton Place as Diana Krall performed songs from her latest album Wallflower which features familiar pop hits of the '60s, '70s and 80s, including California Dreamin' by The Mamas and Papas, Operator by Jim Croce and Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House.

Krall also drew material from previous albums, including the electrified Tom Waits song, Temptation to the long-time fan pleasers Let's Fall In Love and a special emphasis on her Bossa nova release "Quiet Nights", especially complimented by the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.  

Having caught her on the 2013 "Glad Rag Doll" tour, the incorporation of vintage film yet again was amusing, but at times distracted from the music. A particular highlight was when the film and lights went out for a special tribute to Joni Mitchell, it was Krall performing solo, illuminated only by the flickering light of the stage candles as she performed Mitchell's A Case Of You  

While Krall did reminisce about returning home to British Columbia and re-discovering her vinyl, I was a little disappointed that the stories were briefer than her previous tour. As a jazz radio host, I've always been a fan of artists' telling the stories you can't hear by just listening to a CD.  Krall did loosen up the mood a little with some unplanned chatter, and improvising on the piano. It's those little things; the interaction with fans, the orchestra and the presentation that made it a quiet night to remember!

Diana Krall will be performing this Wednesday May 27 at the Centre in The Square in Kitchener, the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor on Saturday May 30, and many more dates!