Jazz albums of the year: Diana Krall | Nigel Clark | Billie Holiday | Martin Taylor & Alan Barnes | Curtis Stigers

Alison Kerr reviews the best of this year’s jazz releases.

Diana Krall

Glad Rag Doll

Verve

The Grammy Award-winning Canadian singer and pianist changed direction dramatically with this October release, her first album with the producer T Bone Burnett. Blurring the boundaries between various genres, it comprises mainly forgotten pop songs from the 1920s – but with a sprinkling of later tunes. It showcases her sensual vocals in an occasionally very intimate setting.

Nigel Clark

Under the Stars

Circular Records

While some solo guitarists seem to sap the life out of their material by picking it apart, stretching it out and extemporising ad infinitum, Glasgow-based guitar star Clark brings colour, energy and lyricism to whatever he plays. On the 16 eclectic tracks included on this, his first, solo album, his classy taste and respect for a beautiful melody shine through.

Billie Holiday

The Complete Masters 1933-1959

Universal

As somebody who already owns everything by her favourite singer – but scattered across box-sets, single CDs and LPs – I was thrilled with this exquisitely presented limited edition of all the master takes from her vast and varied career. To be able to hear her go from radiant, ebullient, teens-to-twentysomething Billie on her joyful 1930s small group recordings, right through to her worn-out but utterly compelling final album (with strings), is a privilege.

Martin Taylor & Alan Barnes

Two For the Road

Woodville Records

This duo can be the most satisfying of jazz line-ups. Taylor (guitar) and Barnes (clarinet) have created a beautiful, intimate, album which showcases their rapport and mutual respect and plays out like a series of conversations – some cosy chats, some playful banter and some lively debates.

Curtis Stigers

Let’s Go Out Tonight

Concord Jazz

Like Krall’s CD, Stigers’ 2012 release is very much a hybrid of musical genres with an emphasis on ballads penned by such singer-songwriters as Paul Buchanan, Neil Finn and David Poe. He introduced the album with a full band at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall in March, but it was his two duo dates at the Dirty Martini room in Le Monde which stand out in the memory – and of which this CD is a lovely souvenir.