Live in Paris
Recorded at the historic Olympia Theatre in Paris in November 2001, this is Diana Krall's first live album. Backed by her quicksilver combo  of bassist John Clayton, drummer Jeff Hamilton, and guitarist John  Pisano (on some tracks), Krall's jazz heritage comes through loud and clear on this program  of standards, ballads, and bossa novas. OnPeggy Lee's "I Love Being Here  with You,"Bob Dorough's "Devil May Care," andFrank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon," Krall's snappy, postbop piano playing shows off her debt toNat "King" ColeandJimmy Rowles. Her cool contralto vocals are illuminated by the Orchestre Symphonique Europeen, under the direction of Alan Broadbent, as well as the London Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Claus Ogerman. Krall's deep take onJoni Mitchell's "A Case of You" is a great choice for an encore, and the CD concludes withBilly Joel's "Just the  Way You Are" (a studio track from a film calledThe Guru), with  tenor saxophonistMichael Breckerand bassistChristian McBride. This collection only hints at what Diana Krall has to offer in the future.--Eugene Holley Jr.