Diana Krall

I have seen her live three times, and came away thoroughly impressed and entertained. She doesn't have a great voice, but a voice that's a natural for the jazz genre, and she has a way with a lyric and can curl the words just so and I have a hard time taking my eyes off of her. Call it that elusive "it" factor. Top notch musicians at every show, and she plays that piano with style and verve. No lip synching, no gyrating strippers, real musicians, and great songs. Just what most Americans don't want to see or hear these days!

@lalitk... Yes, she has a sultry voice and a come hither quality that grabs my attention when she sticks to Jazz/American Song Book recordings. I think The Girl In The Other Room, one of the first times she ventured away from her comfort zone, was actually a very good album. Shirley Horn and Blossom Dearie are mentioned often as influences, some similarities. Maybe she is "Jazz lite" compared to the purists out there, but whatever she is and does, she does well and I just happen to dig her. I feel the same way about Julie London; not the greatest voice, narrow range, but she did more with what she had than many more naturally gifted singers. Julie London captured an era and style in the '60s with her sultry, smokey voice and her languid vocal style. It was said that "she sang as if she was in one room - with you, and that made all the difference." It really is amazing what Julie London could do with such limited vocal range, but within that range she was pure dynamite and a unique talent.