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Diana Krall — Black Crow
Album: The Girl in the Other Room
Avg rating:
5.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 461









Released: 2004
Length: 4:42
Plays (last 30 days): 0
There's a crow flying
Black & ragged
Tree to tree
He's black as the highway that's leading me
Now he's diving down
To pick up on something shiny
I feel like that black crow
Flying
In a blue sky

I took the ferry to the highway
Then I drove to a pontoon plane
I took a plane to a taxi
And a taxi to a train
I've been traveling so long
How'm I ever gonna know my home
When I see it again
I'm like a black crow flying
In a blue blue sky

In search of love & music
My whole life has been
Illumination
Corruption
And diving diving diving diving
Diving down to pick up on every shiny thing
Just like that black crow flying
In a blue sky

I looked at the morning
After being up all night
I looked at my haggard face in the bathroom light
I looked out the window
And I I saw that ragged soul take flight
I saw a back crow flying
In a blue sky

Oh I'm like a black crow flying
In a blue sky
Comments (127)add comment
I like it!! I don't care what anybody says!  Thanx RP!   
It sounds like she's just reading the words, having just seen them for the first time - no feeling for the song at all, no emotion.
Diana can come over, sing to me and play my piano for anytime...I will clear my schedule!!!
Hmmm... I'd sure like to like this more. Missing the driving intensity; agree that for all the musicianship it falls flat. Molly Johnson does it some justice on the fabulous Canadian tribute compilation 'Back To The Garden'.
Yeah...  Joni kinda is sort of hard to top...  With Jaco—No Contest...

Not that this is a competition, it's that this version is a bit flat with nothing new brought to the table.
This is one of my favorite Joni songs. Joni's live version is stellar, energetic, passionate. This is bland, a disservice to the song. Technically good playing, but that's really all that can be said for it. 

For a very creative cover, try Cassandra Wilson
Damn, and one of my favourite Joni numbers too - it has already been said, a real talent but lacks feeling .. totally.
 kingart wrote:
Over rated. A jazz vocal hybrid of Joni Mitchell or such, and both versions are short of fire. 

 
No.  Joni had passion.  
 aspicer wrote:

I think you nailed it.  I always feel I "Should" really like her, and yes she has some wonderful tracks, but overall I'm often disappointed, passion rarely comes through.

 
Maybe that is because the 'passion' is largely absent to begin with?

Terrific talent, tight but part way through I'm thinking I have other things to do other than listen.... 
This is the type of stuff audiophiles love to play to show off how great their systems are. On one hand the production quality makes the speakers sound great but on the other hand the soulless music makes you want to gouge your ear drums out, so it's a real mixed bag. The ones who love music as much as the gear find music that not only sounds good but actually makes you want to listen to their systems.
I'm a huge fan of Diana. Sadly this is not one her best efforts. She is forgiven his time if only because she is easy on the eyes.
I think I heard a Pat Metheny reference there!
I just simply love her, but why she had to marry Elvis Costello is beyond me. Oh Well!
Dull standard jazzy thingy version of a number. Nothing added only a typical jazz saus. Waste of the listening effort ... please never again {#Stop}! PLEASE stick to the brilliant original. PLEASE!
 embo wrote:
Lame. I sense no heart in this song.
 
I think you nailed it.  I always feel I "Should" really like her, and yes she has some wonderful tracks, but overall I'm often disappointed, passion rarely comes through.
Love the variety on RP. Diana Krall is a great addition to your playlist. 
Beautiful and a nice change of pace.  Great addition to my favorite Radio Paradise.  
 JanzieNL wrote:

Holla dat! awesome! 
 


 onerb wrote:
Hadn't heard this outstanding version before. Goosebumps. Thanks!

 


Hadn't heard this outstanding version before. Goosebumps. Thanks!
 rKokon wrote:
Twice as irritating as it was last month! It's gotta be jazz. Why can't we just omit all jazz selections on this channel?
 
Amen to this.

Wandering and aimless.  
Over rated. A jazz vocal hybrid of Joni Mitchell or such, and both versions are short of fire. 
First time hearing this version.  It lacks all the urgency and vitality of the original.
Diana Krall is ok, but to me, she's low-energy. I don't feel the reserve of energy or feeling behind the cool, laid-back voice. She gets a 5 out of 10 for me.
Aha, so now you have her FOLLOWING Joni. And it STILL had me fooled; this time I was thinking, "Whoa! What's this -- Bill's playing the same artist twice in a row?" 'Course I figured it out after about 10 seconds, but still... Will I ever learn?
Well executed for my ears. Loved hearing this tune in the show Cowboy Bebop, although performed by a diff. artist.
Very smooth jazzy. Very cheesy. She herself has some chops but this is just lame.
catmaven wrote:
Twice as irritating as it was last month! It's gotta be jazz. Why can't we just omit all jazz selections on this channel?
E-c-l-e-c-t-i-c!
Few artists can sing a Joni Mitchell song and retain the essence. I think Diana does a great job on this particular song. The whole album's fine, too.
I love jazz, and love Diana Krall's music. She has expanded the range of her style over the years. Her voice is sensuous and her playing is captivating. I wish more RP'ers would learn to listen to the subtleties of jazz, and learn to appreciate it as an expansion of the rock music most of us grew up with.
The negative comments really surprise me. I hate to bum you all out for liking this song. Musically, reminds me of something by Steely Dan (a good thing in my book) I know Diana has taken a lot of heat for departing from standards on this album - I think it is a nice change.
Twice as irritating as it was last month! It's gotta be jazz. Why can't we just omit all jazz selections on this channel?
I much prefer Ms. Mitchell's version. Still a beautiful song...
This song magically transports me. I can just picture the shelves at Borders with me browsing the latest magazines.
I agree with most of the negative comments below. I dislike tinkly piano-bar sound--reminds me of directionless drunkards whiling away another pointless afternoon in overstuffed alcoholic lounges. And the singing seems to pander to that attitude of listlessness, ennui, and anomie.
soul-less
quixotic wrote:
Maybe you should embrace a dictionary before you post.
She gets points for being attractive. (hey, I have embraced my masogonism, ok?) but... still doesn't break above 2.
Maybe you should embrace a dictionary before you post.
I like Diana Krall, I worship Joni Mitchell. Diana Krall's version of this song is better than Joni's.
she is just awful. any version but this - joni's live version is soaring cassandra wilson's out there but extraordinary. this one is so freaking boring i can't believe it
She gets points for being attractive. (hey, I have embraced my masogonism, ok?) but... still doesn't break above 2.
Nuance wrote:
I WANT to like her... just sounds so affected? I think some said "without soul?"
I agree...I want to like her too, but she just doesn't do it for me. Actually, I prefer her earlier covers of standards.
I like some of Diana Krall's stuff, but I have to say - only a precious few artists can get away with covering Joni Mitchell's more esoteric pieces, and Krall's not one of them. In my opinion, this particular song should never be covered by anyone else. It's trademark Joni - intimate and intricate, filled with nuance and meaning, and there's just no way anyone else can capture that.
Wow.....what a bunch of critics. She is, imho, one of the best jazz vocalists currently working. Amazingly smooth stuff.
I like this a LOT! My rating? 8
Late-night cocktail bar music. Not my favourite.
and now for something completely different. *please*
joni mitchell she isnt. look at me, i can play the piano, and ill put it on the cover to prove it to you all! F!
Makes me sleepy, like most of her work. Technically great, fine production, but dull and lacking soul.
Gawd, this song is STILLon? Geez I thought it started like an hour ago. The piano is nice though but the rest............
saw Diana at Yoshi's in Oakland on her first tour. I'm not even sure she was old enough to be at the club. But she was a stand-out act even then. I luvff her!
brandog wrote:
She's beautiful, she's talented, her singing makes me gag. Honesty is hard, sometimes.
I WANT to like her... just sounds so affected? I think some said "without soul?"
Lame. I sense no heart in this song.
play cassandra wilson's version instead! (or joni's for that matter - the live version from "shadows & light" is to die for). krall is krap.
Leslie wrote:
I love Hejira so much that I bought the original album in 1976 and then bought the digital version from iTunes in 2004. Well worth it. This album stands the test of time. Joni's lyrics speak to all generations. Here's to you Joni Mitchell!
:nodhead:
kevbo77 wrote:
If i wanted to listen to diana krall, i'd kill the pope then shoot myself. I hear its diana krall 24/7 in hell.
That makes me giggle for some reason. Partially because this song usually results in me being completely pissed off at my desk here at work and never realizing why until the song is almost over. It's fingernails down the chalkboard bad. In my humble opinion, that is...
ploafmaster wrote:
Had to bump this up to an 8, because that Gershwin-esque piano just makes me soooooooooo happy...
Sorry, I'm leaving my 7. This had me fooled AGAIN -- I heard the opening line and thought, "Aha! FINALLY playing Joni's original!" Wrong again. It's scary that she nearly does Joni better than Joni...but it's still "nearly."
Had to bump this up to an 8, because that Gershwin-esque piano just makes me soooooooooo happy...
I love the soul Diana puts into her music. Yes sir, I like it. 8)
Awful!
Leslie wrote:
I couldn't disagree with you more on this particular song. Her rendition is as awesome as Joni Mitchell's original.
Now check out this comment, people. THIS is the proper way to disagree with people when they attack music you like. Leslie made no personal attacks. I wish more RP listeners would respond like this when their favorite tunes were insulted. Even some biting sarcasm would be welcome, but it just bugs me soooooooooo much when people retort with an insult to the naysayer. And by the way, I give this a 7.
radiojunkie wrote:
That would make sense, since I think Metheny played with Joni on the original...(or DID HE?) Anyway, since the vocals are also obviously patterned nearly exactly after Joni's originals -- makes me wonder, why bother?
Well there's a repeating guitar lick in here that is ripped off from Metheny's first album. BTW, I looked it up and Larry Carlton played guitar on the original track. I'm pretty sure Metheny didn't play on any studio recordings for Joni, just the live Shadows and Light. Anyway, I think covering Joni is a futile effort.
jbjnr wrote:
I'm not sure that random notes and awful singing is the same as music.
I'd agree - but I sure love this song.
I'm not sure that random notes and awful singing is the same as music.
BKardon wrote:
I hear some blatantly ripped off Pat Metheny licks here...
That would make sense, since I think Metheny played with Joni on the original...(or DID HE?) Anyway, since the vocals are also obviously patterned nearly exactly after Joni's originals -- makes me wonder, why bother?
octopoxho wrote:
...I bet her voice would have made the Marsian's heads explode in Mars Attacks...seriously though, I wish she would leave RP so that I wouldn't have to put on something different when she came on...
The Marsians? Aren't they from the planet Mart?
octopoxho wrote:
I'm pretty open to most music and enjoy almost everything I hear...but whenever I hear Diana Krall, I have to turn off RP...she makes me physically ill...I HATE her voice SOOOO much it makes me angry just thinking about her singing...her voice is perhaps one of the most revolting sounds know to man kind...I bet her voice would have made the Marsian's heads explode in Mars Attacks...seriously though, I wish she would leave RP so that I wouldn't have to put on something different when she came on...
I couldn't disagree with you more on this particular song. Her rendition is as awesome as Joni Mitchell's original.
I hear some blatantly ripped off Pat Metheny licks here...
I'm pretty open to most music and enjoy almost everything I hear...but whenever I hear Diana Krall, I have to turn off RP...she makes me physically ill...I HATE her voice SOOOO much it makes me angry just thinking about her singing...her voice is perhaps one of the most revolting sounds know to man kind...I bet her voice would have made the Marsian's heads explode in Mars Attacks...seriously though, I wish she would leave RP so that I wouldn't have to put on something different when she came on...
kevbo77 wrote:
If i wanted to listen to diana krall, i'd kill the pope then shoot myself. I hear its diana krall 24/7 in hell.
Well, now the pope is dead, so I guess you'll have to find some other way to get your Krall fix.
If i wanted to listen to diana krall, i'd kill the pope then shoot myself. I hear its diana krall 24/7 in hell.
What the perfect song for a rainy day :umbrella.gif:
Joni Mitchell is to Diana Krall as Radio Paradise is to Homihomi Cafe So there
Wow, I had never heard this version before. Really well done! Reminds me of Joni, but just different enough to get my attention...love them both. (And until I read the comments below, I didn't even know Ms. Krall was Mrs. Elvis...guess I haven't been paying enough attention to the society pages. Well, time to crawl back under my rock...)
Pyro wrote:
A desert island disk for me (Hejira). Love both the original, the live version, AND this cover. Without Joni's incredible songwriting talent, we wouldn't have this incredible song, in whatever incarnation! To Diana AND Joni
I love Hejira so much that I bought the original album in 1976 and then bought the digital version from iTunes in 2004. Well worth it. This album stands the test of time. Joni's lyrics speak to all generations. Here's to you Joni Mitchell!
Just another reason to like RP. This is the first time I've heard this and like it quite a bit. And without reading here I wouldn't be going to look for Joni Mitchell's version. Holy s, now some Monk is on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! way cool glad i'm home sick. I.S. police have a chokehold on the internet at work.
Leslie wrote:
Shadows and Light is an awesome live album no doubt about it. The original version of this song can be found on Joni's 1976 album, Hejira, which to this day remains one of my favorite albums.
A desert island disk for me (Hejira). Love both the original, the live version, AND this cover. Without Joni's incredible songwriting talent, we wouldn't have this incredible song, in whatever incarnation! To Diana AND Joni
Mmmmmm... this disk is my current "FM" (f**k music) favorite.
buttery
lbeaton wrote:
Diana Krall shore is purty, and her voice is not unpleasant. Unfortunately she doesn't have the instincts of a jazz singer, and her style is a generally poor substitute. Thumbs down from me.
yesssssss!!! pinned! (does the word 'phrasing' sound familiar? i didn't think so. and if you ever wanna hear who diana wants to sound like on the piano, check out ahmad jamal. an artist where diana is a practitioner.)
I FEEL LIKE I'M IN A STARBUCKS......
ElroyJetson wrote:
Pleasant but not my cup of tea.
I AGREE!
almost a bit too "smooth jazz"-ish for my tastes... but in the end, i'm really enjoying it, despite feeling that i should be decrying it's elevator qualities.
Leslie wrote:
Shadows and Light is an awesome live album no doubt about it. The original version of this song can be found on Joni's 1976 album, Hejira, which to this day remains one of my favorite albums.
I don't think this version does Joni's (on Hejira) justice. Sorry. Diana, nice try, but no cigar on this one.
oooo... it's SO sophisticated!
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
This shit sucks.
tell us what you really think lol
rcurrier wrote:
Hmmmm... what to rate this? I recognize the fine work being done by all involved, but, in the end, I'm mostly feeling bored. Errrr... I guess that's a 4.
Ditto - I like this kind of music but for some reason I find this too smooth. Diana Krall is obviously a great talent but this (and other things she's done) leaves me wanting more. Wish I could like it as much as everyone else. But I agree, Elvis Costello is one lucky dude.
Oh man - Diana's the greatest (and Elvis is one lucky dude!). Excellent musicianship in the band (one hot mofo of a guitar player) and she's no slouch on the piano! .....anyone that can hold her own with Tony Bennett..... Maybe some of the posters just don't get into jazz (light as it might be)? Oh well, I sure love her ....er, I mean the music.
Hmmmm... what to rate this? I recognize the fine work being done by all involved, but, in the end, I'm mostly feeling bored. Errrr... I guess that's a 4.
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
...compared to billie holiday she just does not cut it.
who does?
Both ho and hum.
ChardRemains wrote:
Joni is very tough to cover and cover well, so Diana gets props from me for her excellent work on this.
Amen to that - excellent interpretation, great performance by the entire band
(belch!) ...That was some delicious black crow, Mrs. Costello!
vomit inducing.
Daveinbawlmer wrote:
there is something empty and soul-less about her singing - very mechanical and dry. her band is quite good, but compared to billie holiday she just does not cut it.
This post is bang on. It's interesting that she is so successful ---- lowest common denominator jazz? Oh, and ArbiterOfGoodTaste? Nice post, ya weenie.
there is something empty and soul-less about her singing - very mechanical and dry. her band is quite good, but compared to billie holiday she just does not cut it.
Diana Krall shore is purty, and her voice is not unpleasant. Unfortunately she doesn't have the instincts of a jazz singer, and her style is a generally poor substitute. Thumbs down from me.
This shit sucks.
Leslie wrote:
Shadows and Light is an awesome live album no doubt about it. The original version of this song can be found on Joni's 1976 album, Hejira, which to this day remains one of my favorite albums.
You go, Leslie!!
Joni is very tough to cover and cover well, so Diana gets props from me for her excellent work on this.
namesbenny wrote:
I'm relatively new to this version, but I think people need to give more credit to Joni. This song is amazing in a non-traditional way-- it keeps moving forward all the time, and can be very ambient. It's Joni's version on Shadows & Light that I know the best, with a hell of a band backing her up. I like this and most anything I've heard from Diana Krall, and she has great taste in men. Bottom line-- those white Canadian chicks sure got some soul!
Shadows and Light is an awesome live album no doubt about it. The original version of this song can be found on Joni's 1976 album, Hejira, which to this day remains one of my favorite albums.
oldslabsides wrote:
sweet sweet sweet....this gets better every time i hear it.....as far as i'm concerned, this is a definate case of the cover bettering the original - by a lot
I'm relatively new to this version, but I think people need to give more credit to Joni. This song is amazing in a non-traditional way-- it keeps moving forward all the time, and can be very ambient. It's Joni's version on Shadows & Light that I know the best, with a hell of a band backing her up. I like this and most anything I've heard from Diana Krall, and she has great taste in men. Bottom line-- those white Canadian chicks sure got some soul!
Martini up, please.. And get that lovely lady a drink too...
The perfect tonic for my soul at this moment...
DownHomeGirl wrote:
Bleah. Pretentious. This music does not move me.
But U-Haul, they will move you, and from what I hear, very respectable rates!!
Pleasant but not my cup of tea.
I typically really enjoy her, but this song seems not up to her level.
Awesome
Bleah. Pretentious. This music does not move me.
oldslabsides wrote:
sweet sweet sweet....this gets better every time i hear it.....as far as i'm concerned, this is a definate case of the cover bettering the original - by a lot
definitely.
sweet sweet sweet....this gets better every time i hear it.....as far as i'm concerned, this is a definate case of the cover bettering the original - by a lot
Haven't heard this before. Very kewl!!!! One of my fav JM songs. Keep it up. Change is good.
Monkeysdad wrote:
Ohhhhh,....we gotta have more of this! Tasty as can be!
Diana Krall Rox!! (Didja know she's married to Elvis Costello?)
Spliff wrote:
Joni like.
Well, it is a Joni cover. I think it's pretty nice.
Next best thing to Joni Mitchell! I love this song and Ms. Krall's interpretation is GREAT!
Ohhh, this really works for me. Diana is in the same class with contemporaries Tierney Sutton, Carolyn Leonhart, and several others.
AWESOME! BRAVO!! BRAVO!!! ENCORE!! ENCORE!!
Diana Krall is very cool. She has a number of other albums, a great voice, and "way" with a piano.
Fantastic - is that her on the piano?