from WALLFLOWER
Written by Leon Russell & Bonnie Bramlett
Released on Verve Records in February 2015, Diana Krall’s Wallflower was a well-focused attempt to present the phenomenal jazz singer and pianist in a sophisticated pop/adult contemporary atmosphere.
David Foster, who was the then-president of Verve, produced the album. Foster added his trademark traditional pop feel to the album. Wallflower was made of some brilliant covers of pop classics from the Seventies which included the hit from the Mamas and the Papas, “California Dreamin’,” Gilbert O’Sullivan’s iconic “Alone Again (Naturally),” The Eagles classic “Desperado” and 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love.” The Hitman built a smooth, melodic musical scenario that matched perfectly with Ms. Krall’s husky and lush contralto voice. Wallflower became a top ten hit in several countries worldwide including Canada, United States, Australia, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.
This week, to give our readers a taste of this noteworthy endevour, the spotlight is on Ms. Krall’s beautiful cover of The Carpenters’ classic 1971 hit, “Superstar.”
The evergreen was co-written by the amazing Leon Russell (1942-2016) with Bonnie Bramlett of the pop/rock duo Delaney & Bonnie that sung the original version in 1969. “Superstar” was also interpreted in 1983 by the unforgettable Luther Vandross (1951-2005) who delivered a killer, soulful rendition that’s a must-listen.
Ms. Krall’s take on “Superstar” was in a different direction than previous versions of the material with Foster’s pensive and moody arrangement plus the fundamental addition of gorgeus strings crafted by William Ross that support Ms. Krall’s luscious vocal on the intro. The song eventually goes in a jazzy direction with the superb performance of Foster on piano, Christian McBride on acoustic bass and Karriem Riggins on drums. Ms. Krall’s vocal was a total knock-out. She owned the song with her intense and emotional performance without any need of vocal acrobatics or so-called “money notes.” “Superstar” was a good indication of the top-notch level of Wallflower. The album was one of the best productions The Hitman delivered in the new millennium.
Foster dedicated the following words to his work with Ms. Krall:
“Loved working with Diana, she is an incredible piano player and vocal stylist with great taste! Strangely, she wanted ME to play piano on the whole album which really threw me as she is such an accomplished piano player, but she said she wanted “my sound” which is exactly what she got. I absolutely love everything we did together on Wallflower although, I gotta admit, I still personally prefer her real jazz records.”
- Lead Vocal: Diana Krall
- Bass: Christian McBride
- Keyboards: David Foster
- Drums: Karriem Riggins
- Synth Programming & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saag
- Orchestra Arranged by David Foster & William Ross
- Produced & Arranged by David Foster
- Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag
Lyrics
Long ago and oh so far away
I fell in love with you before the second show
Your guitar, it sounds so sweet and clear
But you’re not really here
It’s just the radio
Don’t you remember you told me you loved me baby
You said you’d be coming back this way again baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, baby, I love you I really do
Loneliness is a such a sad affair
And I can hardly wait to be with you again
What to say to make you come again
Come back to me again
And play your sad guitar
Don’t you remember you told me you loved me baby
You said you’d be coming back this way again baby
Baby, baby, baby, baby, oh, baby, I love you I really do
I love you I really do