Irene Kral - Kral Space (2000)

Review by Scott Yanow
One of the three classic albums that singer Irene Kral recorded near the end of her shortened life. Kral is heard throughout at the peak of her powers on this haunting session featuring pianist Alan Broadbent, bassist Fred Atwood, drummer Nick Ceroli and Emil Richards on percussion and vibes. Her renditions of a slower-than-usual "Star Eyes," "Once Upon Another Time," "Small Day Tomorrow," "Sometime Ago" (the definitive version), "Everytime We Say Goodbye" and a pair of Tommy Wolf/Fran Landesman songs ("It's Nice Weather for Ducks" and "It Isn't So Good It Couldn't Get Better") are all quite memorable. Her basic but heartfelt style and her ability to swing at the slowest tempos make Irene Kral one of jazz's great ballad singers.