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JazzWords > Diana Krall
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I made the mistake of thinking that the slick packaging of jazz had some inverse relationship to its
quality recently when I picked up the GRP Diana Krall CD called "All for You." In case you haven't
heard of Diana, she is a pianist and vocalist, and the CD is a tribute to Nat "King" Cole and his trio.
Diana is attractive and appears in a manner on the CD cover that is somewhat inviting, but seemingly
irrelevant to the music, as I expected. She is sitting at the piano, but turned toward the camera,
sitting lengthwise on the piano bench, leaning toward us, yet not singing or playing. On
the back of the CD, the presentation is even more confusing, as she appears in a nice, kind of hip white
pant suit, in which she appears ill at ease. At this point, I am wondering if this is going to be
some nice sounding songbird that is good for one listen and then filed away behind the Billie Holiday and
Anita O'Day.
Inside, there is a nice, tight close-up of Diana's face, and then a full side view of her in a nice cream-colored
sweater and tight jeans. Mind you, she is not being presented in an overtly sexual way, but I am a guy,
and I get bombarded with visual and typographic sexual innuendo all the time. I can't be sure, but
perhaps she is being made to appear (perhaps against her will?) more palatable to general record buyers through
her sexuality?
OK, she is attractive. But she is also a great musician, and quite good at expressing herself, viscerally,
musically and verbally. Not all youthful artists catch my attention, especially against such odds as this
blatantly suggestive packaging. So, after a negative first impression, I'm feeling pretty silly about being
so obviously (and wrongly) influenced by the packaging. Then I remind myself that, as a communicator, I seek
to apply visual communications that are strong and often overwhelming to gain the same unfair advantage for my
clients and employers.
I am willing to accept that GRP should use Diana's looks to her advantage. So Diana, I appreciate your
musicianship and I like the stuff of which you are made (musically, of course). I wish you and your group the best,
and hope to hear you soon live. And, I guess I will have to get used to the fact that GRP is going to play up your
looks and musicianship in equal amounts. (Or perhaps, disproportionately?) Please forgive me for looking first,
and listening second. In a jazz perspective, I was skeptical because of your looks.
Now, can someone tell me why, in the world of Mary Lou Williams, Anita O'Day, Sarah Vaughan, Renee Rosnes, Helen
Merrill, Billie Holiday, Maxine Sullivan and countless other women musicians with talent and attractiveness,
I assumed that Diana was too attractive to be taken seriously?
Clearly, it's time for me to take off my blinders, get beyond the packaging and check out the landscape.
©1998 Dave Leonnig
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