Heartdrops: Vince Benedetti Meets Diana Krall
American born, but living in Switzerland since 1964, Vince Benedetti has worked with such luminaries asDexter Gordon,Johnny Griffin,Dizzy Gillespie, andStan Getz, besides leading his own ensembles. He discovered Diana Krall singing in a hotel bar in his adopted homeland in 1988. She joined his band for a European tour and this album was recorded in 1990. It never found release at the time, but Krall's subsequent success has now brought it to light. Seven Benedetti originals make it clear why the composer and pianist (not to mention trombonist as well) felt he'd found an ideal voice for his songs. With guitarist Martien Oster, bassist Christoph Sprenger, and drummer Alberto Canonico, Krall sails through them with a swooping vigor and confidence one associates with timeless standards. Two numbers are offered in alternate takes, purposely played shorter to encourage radio airplay. From saucy swagger to lilting balladry, this is a perfectly matched set of players and material. It's also an early look at a singer whose debut wasn't to appear until three years after these recordings were made.--David Greenberger