5/5 five stars aren't enough...
  by
I discovered this album because a friend of mine in the music industry (who doesn't know all that much about jazz vocalists) wanted to know if Diana Krall was as good as all the hype about her said she was. After a quick scan of the song list I replied that it would be easy to tell because she had a version of "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" and that was one of my favorite pieces -- not only one of my favorites, I said, but I have a recording on a mix tape at home by some woman (who's name escaped me) that I considered the definitive version of " Boulevard Of Broken Dreams".

Two seconds into the song I realized that this was the woman. I said, " she's better".

Diana Krall's ability to interpret standards is truly amazing. I have a fairly extensive collection of jazz vocal albums and I place this one right up there at the top with singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hartman, Nat Cole & Billy Holiday -- not necessarily because they sound alike, but more because all of these artists can sing a song and make you hear it differently than you've ever heard it before.

Now I'm not going to try to convince you that all of her recording are flawless, but this one is a pure winner. There's not a bad track on here. Some of the stand outs are 'You Call It Madness', 'You're Looking At Me', 'A Blossom Fell', and of course my favorite 'Boulevard Of Broken Dreams'.

I can't wait for Diana to outgrow this label. They spend way too much time trying to promote her image. It's not an insult to say that her image is the least of her qualities.

5/5 The album that alerted people to Diana's brilliance
  by Peter Durward Harris (Leicester England)
After buying and enjoying her next two albums (Love scenes and When I look in your eyes), this one came as a surprise to me - but what a pleasant surprise. Like Jeri Southern, a brilliant singer-pianist of an earlier generation, Diana began as a pianist but was obliged to sing as well in order to get work. On this album, recorded when Diana was still unknown, Diana's piano is very prominent. For those who enjoy hearing Diana singing love songs, there are plenty here, but there are upbeat songs to give more variation than you will find in the other albums I mentioned.

Yet, this is all achieved with very few musicians. Russell Malone on guitar and Paul Keller on bass accompany Diana singing and playing piano. On most tracks, that's it. Steve Kroon plays percussion on Boulevard of broken dreams, while Benny Green plays piano on If I had you, leaving Diana (for that track only) to just sing.

You have to be good to deliver an album of such quality with so few musicians (especially without a drummer), but Diana and her musicians prove that it can be done. While I did not find this album as instantly appealing as her next two (perhaps because it was not what I expected), it is one that grows on me each time I play it.

5/5 The best (so far!)
  by
You can't argue that Diana Krall isn't sensous looking, and that's how her record company is selling her(pick up her fine XMAS 3 song CD/calendar and you'll see.) Listen carefully to this album and you'll hear sensual singing, thoughtful production and top notch musicianship. It is a joy, and so far the best of her recordings (and the others are all very good.) Listen in your car, or alone in a quiet room, or through headphones. Her voice, husky and idosyncratic, is mesmerizing. Her interesting pianistics matches perfectly. And her interplay with the phenomenal guitarist Russell Malone is almost telepathic. If this were a vinyl disk, you'd wear it out from overplaying. Every track is a gem, perhaps aided by the programmatic nature of this material. It makes you wish that the great Nat Cole were still here to hear this tribute! P.S. Want better than this disc? - You'll have to catch Krall live in an intimate jazz club setting. If she's in your neighborhood, don't miss her!!!

5/5 I think Nat would be pleases...
  by Craig (St. Louis, MO)
I have been Nat King Cole fan for a long time, so when I saw this CD I thought I would give it a try. Boy am I glad that I did! The range of tunes that Diana covers is fantastic, and the way they are arranged is unforgettable. (no pun intended) I love the upbeat tunes like "Frim Fram Sauce" and "I'm an errand girl for rythm" as well as the soft soulful "A blossom fell". I can't beleive that there was a time when all she did was play the piano. Please find the person that conviced her to start singing and shake their hand for me. If you find a track on this CD you don't like, let me know, because I sure didn't. I would recommend this CD to anyone from 19 to 90.

5/5 Diana Krall's finest
  by James Kim (Northern Virginia, USA)
This is Diana Krall's best album, and if you are just starting to get to know her music, I would start with this one. I really love all her other albums too (I'd give them all five stars), but this one has the best balance of the sweet and sultry Diana Krall and the witty, winsome and fast playing Diana Krall that I love listening to. Stylistically, I think her singing in her subsequent CDs 'Love Scenes' and 'When I Look in Your Eyes' is more refined and understated, but 'All for You' is definitely closest to what she is like live.

And what a live show she puts on! I just saw her in Washington DC in March and she thrilled a packed theatre with her music, humor and charm. It is great to see that she is getting the acclaim that she deserves.