Diana Krall’s marriage to pop icon Elvis Costello has yielded some intriguing song partnerships between the two. This time, Costello suggested that she work with one of his producers, the famed T Bone Burnett, but the results are mixed. Burnett is generally unable to deliver the magic he brought to Alison Krauss, among others. He and Krall mostly take a journey through ’20s and ’30s cover songs, some of which should have remained consigned to history, such as the somnolent “Here Lies Love” and the impossibly corny “When the Curtain Comes Down.” It feels at times more like a vanity project than a breakthrough musical feat. There’s a lot of light, sentimental swing but with annoyingly overmiked basslines and often tentative acoustic guitar by Burnett. There’s more life on a surprise cover of the Doc Pomus ’50s song “Lonely Avenue” with eerie guitar sustains and a haunting vocal by Krall. Another winner is the more modern “Wide River to Cross” by Buddy and Julie Miller. Overall, this album doesn’t live up to its promise despite some fine moments. (Out Tuesday)
ESSENTIAL “Lonely Avenue”