Breath-takingly intimate

There's a lovely chandelier over head, a waiter in tails serving drinks to the relaxed clientele who are dressed as though they have been plucked from a still life of 1920s Hollywood. On the stage stands a mystifyingly beautiful blonde woman whose voice is seductive and strong.

Actually, there's nothing of the sort but that is the beauty of it. All there is surrounding me is stacks of clutter and my laptop, which is mesmerising me with the sounds of Diana Krall.

The 43 year old, Canadian born award winning pianist and singer has always been musical, her father was an avid record collector and a stride-pianist, so attending music college and embarking on a journey whihc would see Krall carve out a stellar career path was inevitable.

Her new album, also her twelfth album, 'Quiet Nights' is completely soul stilling.

“It’s not coy. It’s not ‘peel me a grape,’ little girl stuff. I feel this album’s very womanly – like you’re lying next to your lover in bed whispering this in their ear.” Krall is not suggesting nights out but nights in.

The breathy vocals, stunning sensuality and breath-taking intimacy of all ten tracks is astounding. There is not one song that fails to impress. The beautiful renditions of 'You're my thrill', 'Walk on by' and 'Boy from Ipanema' are sure to continue to satisfy my musical needs for a long time yet.

“It’s a sensual, downright erotic record and it’s intended to be that way.”

And with that I close my eyes once more...