Back to happier subjects...

...which so often involve music.

During a brief conversation last night, my friend K. hipped me to a singer she likes.

People do this a lot. I'm hardly the only person on the planet who loves good sounds, but I'm obvious about it, so I get a lot of "listen to this!" from friends and even acquaintances. The problem is that I don't love all genres equally, and I was initially conflicted about this singer. She inhabited, a least in the first cut I heard, a space that doesn't really speed up my pulse.

Ah, but it got much better.

All I can say is: Go dig Amel Larrieux.

This lady has a voice of pure, warm silk. She's no Diana Krall, but then Diana is no Amel, either. Beyond having brilliant voices and major piano chops, both have carved out their own unique vocal territories.

I ordered Larrieux' latest album, Lovely Standards last night. The tunelist is imaginative and free of overdone songs. The arrangements are right on. The singing is, in a word, impeccable.

If I were an aspiring gal singer, I think I'd take up bookkeeping. Larrieux and Krall have got it covered, if you ask me.

But since I'm not, I'm anticipating some happy listening-time ahead.