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Saturday 21 February 2015

After sexy Glad Rag Doll Diana Krall slips into something comfortable with Wallflower


She smouldered through the rootsy Glad Rag Doll back in 2012.

Now Diana Krall slips into something comfortable, a long delayed album of classic pop songs given a loving late night makeover.

Originally due last October but postponed first by a bout of pneumonia and then the death of her father, Wildflower is subtly seductive.

Eleven covers plus a new Paul McCartney song find Krall delivering classy pop with a pure jazz-rooted vocal.

Among the best are Eagles hallmark Desperado, Crowded House hit Don't Dream It's Over, 10cc chart topper I'm Not In Love and Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.

Less obvious are Bob Dylan's Wildflower, from which the album takes its title and Jim Croce's Operator - sublime songs waiting to be rediscovered. McCartney track I'll Take You Home Tonight, however, is forgettable.

Michael Buble guests on an unlikely take on Gilbert O'Sullivan's Alone Again (Naturally) perhaps reflecting Krall's own feeling of loss.

It`s very different from Glad Rag Doll's back to basics earthiness but a good album nonetheless ahead of her live dates.