Also this issue: Soul for Sale De La Soul finds itself hunting for a new label and walking on sunshine. -Chris Parker The Gig -Nate Chinen Hope Sandoval -Paul Burress Mercury Program/ The Six Parts Seven -A.D. Amorosi Mayflies USA -Chris Parker

August 22-28, 2002

musicpicks

Diana Krall

At first, coolly reserved Canadian pianist-songstress Diana Krall -- on '98's When I Look in Your Eyes and '95's All for You -- came off as a cross between a cruise ship director and an unsweaty Alanis Morissette: a clarion clear, soulfully clipped chanteuse lacking the theatrical weariness of jazz's best divas. With last year's The Look of Love (Verve), Krall makes up for that with flighty elasticity and even a Grace Kelly-esque resignation (think of Grace knocked off her pedestal in High Society). Krall can finally interpret the torch song with the necessary supple nuance and intimate intimidation. Surely, Philly bassist Christian McBride and Claus Ogermann's lustrous orchestration helps. But dig how Krall turns "I Remember You" into a taunt or how she rattles "S'wonderful" to its not-so-hot foundation. She's getting scary. And that's even more wonderful.

Fri., Aug. 23, 8 p.m., $38-$58, The Mann Center, 52nd St. and Parkside Ave., 215-893-1999.

—A.D. Amorosi

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