IRENE KRAL - Second Chance (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Irene Kral was only in her mid-forties when she lost her battle with cancer. Decades after her death in 1978, Jazzed Media has uncovered additional unissued live recordings to follow their previous collection Just for Now (issued in 2004). These performances also were taped in 1975, but at a different venue (the Times restaurant) with another rhythm section. Pianist Alan Broadbent is the perfect accompanist for the rich-voiced, clear-toned alto, while her choice of material is a fascinating mix of standards, obscurities, and modern pop. She opens with an invigorating, spirited interpretation of "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes." Kral savors the longing of the lyrics to the bittersweet ballad "Never Let Me Go," which is buoyed by Broadbent's sensitive backing. The South American song "Sometime Ago" was a favorite of Art Farmer and a number of other jazz instrumentalists (though they usually chose a bright tempo), but Kral's very deliberate interpretation brings out the essence of its message in a new light. The pop songs include Leon Russell's "This Masquerade" (a hit for George Benson) and folksinger Tim Hardin's lesser-known "Misty Roses," both rendered in soft bossa nova settings. Peter Marshall (who was subbing for Kral's regular bassist) and drummer Frank Severino round out the superb rhythm section. One can only hope that additional recordings by Irene Kral will be located to join this outstanding CD in her discography. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    The Night Has A Thousand Eyes 2:22
Written-By – Buddy Bernier, Jerry Brainin
2    Second Chance 3:52
Written-By – Andre Previn, Dory Langdon Previn
3    Something To Remember You By 2:42
Written-By – Arthur Schwartz & Howard Dietz
4    Misty Roses 3:34
Written-By – Tim Hardin
5    Time For Love/Small World, Isn't It?    (6:12)
5.1        A Time For Love
Written-By – Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster
5.2        Small World, Isn't It?
Written-By – Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim
6        Oh You Crazy Moon 2:37
Written-By – Jimmy Van Heusen And Johnny Burke
7    Never Let Me Go 5:19
Written-By – Jay Livingston & Ray Evans
8    It Isn't So Good It Couldn't Get Better 2:11
Written-By – Fran Landesman, Tommy Wolf
9    Sometime Ago 5:11
Written-By – Sergio Mihanovich
10    Unlit Room 2:28
Written-By – Bob Dorough, Fran Landesman
11    Star Eyes 5:18
Written-By – Don Raye, Gene DePaul
12    This Masquerade 4:52
Written-By – Leon Russell
13    Something In Your Smile/When I Look Into Your Eyes (6:13)
13.1        Something In Your Smile
Written-By – Leslie Bricusse
13.2        When I Look Into Your Eyes
Written-By – Leslie Bricusse
14        Nobody Else But Me 1:44
Written-By – Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II
Credits :
Bass – Peter Marshall
Drums – Frank Severino
Piano – Alan Broadbent
Vocals – Irene Kral

IRENE KRAL - Where is Love? (1974-2001) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1996 CD reissues a classic set originally cut for the Choice label, a program of ballads exquisitely interpreted by singer Irene Kral and pianist Alan Broadbent. The tempos are all quite slow, but the emotional yet cool intensity given by Kral and Broadbent means that there are no slow moments. Among the songs given definitive and memorable treatment are Blossom Dearie's "I Like You, You're Nice" and Bob Dorough's "Love Came on Stealthy Fingers," "Never Let Me Go," and especially "Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most." This is a haunting program, Irene Kral's best; it sticks in one's memory long afterwards and can be considered one of the finest sets of ballads ever recorded. Essential music. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    I Like You, You're Nice 3:02
Written-By – Blossom Dearie
2    When I Look In Your Eyes 3:04
Written-By – Leslie Bricusse
3    A Time For Love/Small World 6:25
Written-By – Johnny Mandel, Jule Styne, P. F. Webster, Stephen Sondheim
4    Love Came On Stealthy Fingers 3:04
Written-By – Bob Dorough
5    Never Let Me Go 4:32
Written-By – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
6    Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most 4:57
Written-By – Fran Landesman, Tommy Wolf
7    Lucky To Be Me / Some Other Time 6:40
Written-By – Adolf Green, Betty Comden, Leonard Bernstein
8    Where Is Love? 4:18
Written-By – Lionel Bart
9    Don't Look Back 3:01
Written-By – Johnny Mandel, K. L. Dunham
Credits:
Piano – Alan Broadbent
Vocals – Irene Kral 

IRENE KRAL - The Band and I + Better Than Anything (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Band and I pairs Irene Kral with Ernie Wilkins and Al Cohn, whose energetic, robust arrangements capture a dimension of the singer rarely glimpsed on record -- upbeat and persuasive, with little of the spectral melancholy that hangs over her later, more familiar sessions. The titular backing unit in question, led by trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, expertly bridges the gap between traditional big band and modern-era jazz, creating a soulful, lightly swinging showcase that inspires Kral to deliver some of her most appealing performances -- cuts like "This Little Love" and "I'd Know You Anywhere" boast a radiance sadly absent from subsequent sessions. by Jason Ankeny

The Band and I

1 I'd Know You Anywhere 2:14

Jimmy McHugh / Johnny Mercer

2 Detour Ahead 3:43

Lou Carter / Herb Ellis / John Freigo

3 Comes Love 2:36

Lew Brown / Sam H. Stept / Charles Tobias

4 Everybody Knew But Me 2:01

Irving Berlin

5 Lazy Afternoon 2:56

John Latouche / Jerome Moross

6 What's Right for You 3:01

7 I Let a Song Go out of My Heart 2:46

Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Henry Nemo / John Redmond

8 Memphis in June 2:58

Hoagy Carmichael / Paul Francis Webster

9 This Little Love 2:07

10 The Night We Called It a Day 2:32

Tom Adair / Matt Dennis

11 It Isn't So Good 2:32

12 Something to Remember You By 2:12

Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz

Better than Anythin 

This CD reissues a formerly rare Irene Kral album that was originally recorded for the Ava label, one of only two records that she recorded during 1960-1973. Kral is quite recognizable, although not singing with quite the emotional intensity that she would display during her final three albums (which are all classics). Joined by pianist Junior Mance, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Mickey Roker (whose name is misspelled Rocker), Kral was already a delightful singer. Best are her versions of "Better Than Anything," "The Meaning of the Blues," "It's a Wonderful World," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," and "Nobody Else But Me." This enjoyable set is available through the Spanish Fresh Sound label. by Scott Yanow

13 Better Than Anything 2:21

David "Buck" Wheat

14 The Touch of Your Lips 2:22

Ray Noble

15 The Meaning of the Blues 3:11

Bobby Troup / Leah Worth

16 Rock Me to Sleep 2:20

Lou Carter / Paul Vandervoort II

17 No More 3:10

Tutti Camarata / Bob Russell

18 Passing By 1:54

Johnny Hess / Jack Lawrence / Paul Misraki / Charles Trénet

19 It's a Wonderful World 2:34

Harold Adamson / Jan Savitt / Johnny Watson

20 This Is Always 3:23

Mack Gordon / Harry Warren

21 Just Friends 2:40

John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis

22 Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry 3:35

Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne

23 Nobody Else But Me 1:54

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

- Bonus Tracks -

24 The Meaning Of The Blues

25 Just Friends

26 Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most

27 Nobody Else But Me

28 Detour Ahead

29 It's A Wonderful World

30 Forgetful