Irene Kral - Comes Love

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:20
Size: 150,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:44)  1. Detour Ahead
(2:36)  2. Comes Love
(2:46)  3. I Let a Song Go out of My Heart
(2:34)  4. It's a Wonderful World
(2:33)  5. The Night We Called It a Day
(2:20)  6. Rock Me to Sleep
(3:11)  7. The Meaning of the Blues
(2:32)  8. It Isn't so Good
(2:54)  9. Lazy Afternoon
(3:01) 10. What's Right for You
(3:35) 11. Guess I'll Hang My Tears out to Dry
(2:07) 12. This Little Love of Ours
(2:14) 13. Something to Remember You By
(3:03) 14. Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most
(2:13) 15. I'd Know You Anywhere
(3:23) 16. This Is Always
(2:21) 17. Better Than Anything
(2:22) 18. The Touch of Your Lips
(2:57) 19. Memphis in June
(1:56) 20. Nobody Else but Me
(2:40) 21. Just Friends
(3:11) 22. No More
(2:02) 23. Everybody Knew but Me
(1:54) 24. Passing By

A superb ballad singer who always put both plenty of emotion and subtlety into her often haunting interpretations, Irene Kral stood near the top of her field during her shortened life. The younger sister of singer/pianist Roy Kral (of Jackie & Roy), she debuted as a singer with the Jay Burkhardt Big Band. Freelancing in Chicago (including with a vocal group called the Tattle-Tales), Kral spent nine months singing with Maynard Ferguson's big band in 1957. Next up was an association with Herb Pomeroy's Orchestra. After getting married and settling in Los Angeles, Kral did not work for a while. However, from 1974-1977, she recorded three exquisite albums for Choice and Catalyst, including two duet sets with pianist Alan Broadbent (Where Is Love and Gentle Rain), that are considered classics; her rendition of "Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most" is definitive. 

Sadly, Irene Kral was struck down by cancer at the height of her career at age 46. Her recordings (for United Artists in 1959, a 1963 date for Ava, a Mainstream session in 1965, and the Choice and Catalyst albums) are all currently out of print, although a live set from September 1977 put out by Just Jazz in the mid-'90s is available on CD. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/irene-kral-mn0000080919/biography

Comes Love

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The Buddy Collette Quintet - With Guest Vocalist Irene Kral

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:36
Size: 65.5 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Contemporary jazz
Year: 1962/1990
Art: Front

[1:52] 1. A Taste Of Fresh Air
[2:16] 2. Hunt And Peck
[2:00] 3. Emaline's Theme
[2:29] 4. The Meaning Of The Blues
[2:23] 5. Laura
[1:16] 6. Just Friends
[1:39] 7. There Will Never Be Another You
[3:01] 8. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
[2:07] 9. Tenderly
[1:22] 10. Nobody Else But Me
[1:48] 11. Road Trip
[2:57] 12. Detour Ahead
[1:31] 13. Soft Touch
[1:49] 14. It's A Wonderful World

Buddy Collette, flute, clarinet, tenor, alto; Al Viola, guitar; Jack Wilson, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Bill Goodwin, drums; Irene Kral, vocalist. Recorded 1962, United Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA.

The fourth of four CDs released by Studio West, a subsidiary of V.S.O.P. Records, that is taken from previously unissued transcriptions made for the radio show "The Navy Swings" features the Buddy Collette Quintet, which in 1962 was comprised of the leader on flute, clarinet, tenor and alto, guitarist Al Viola, pianist Jack Wilson, bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Bill Goodwin. As good as Collette (who contributed four melodic originals) plays on these very concise performances (all clocking in around three minutes or less), it is the six often-touching vocals of Irene Kral that particularly make this a recommended disc. Kral's versions of "The Meaning of the Blues," "Nobody Else but Me" and especially "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" are quite definitive and memorable. ~Scott Yanow

With Guest Vocalist Irene Kral

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Irene Kral - The Band And I / Steveireneo!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:53
Size: 144.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[2:10] 1. I'd Know You Anywhere
[3:40] 2. Detour Ahead
[2:35] 3. Comes Love
[1:59] 4. Everybody Knew But Me
[2:52] 5. Lazy Afternoon
[2:58] 6. What's Right For You
[2:43] 7. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
[2:55] 8. Memphis In June
[2:04] 9. This Little Love
[2:32] 10. The Night We Called It A Day
[2:29] 11. It Isn't So Good
[2:11] 12. Something To Remember You By
[2:21] 13. Too Late The Spring
[2:26] 14. Run (Don't Walk)
[2:27] 15. The Best Time Of The Day
[2:28] 16. Yes
[2:46] 17. There He Goes
[3:03] 18. And Even Then
[3:02] 19. Houseboat
[2:02] 20. Cool Blue
[2:30] 21. What Is A Woman
[2:49] 22. Spring Is Where You Are
[2:58] 23. Impossible
[2:42] 24. Pleasant Dreams

Twofer: Tracks #1-12 from the United Artists 12" LP "The band and I" (UAS 5016); Tracks #13-24 from the United Artists 12" LP "Steveireneo!" (UAS 6052). Irene Kral (vcl), with Herb Pomeroy, Lenny Johnson, Joe Newman (tp), Urbie Green (tb), Charlie Mariano, Zoot Sims, Danny Bank (saxes), Joe Venuto (vib), Ray Santisi, Hank Jones (p), Jimmy Raney (g), John Neves (b), Jimmy Zitano, Charlie Persip (d).

The Band and I was the debut album of the great Irene Kral. On it the outstanding young vocalist, who first came to prominence with Maynard Fergusons band, had the benefit of Herb Pomeroys celebrated big band which, though it had never featured a vocalist before, gave her a backing that no orchestra composed of studio musicians could match. She responded with innate jazz feeling, sensitive phrasing and a warm, unaffected sound. Singer and big band are well served by the excellent Al Cohn and Ernie Wilkins charts.

On Steveireneo!, her second album, she handles a dozen of Steve Allens songs with complete command. Under the direction of Al Cohn, the band ideally complements her singing; Cohns well-conceived arrangements are, like everything he did, extremely musical. And the front-rank East Coast personnel consistently deliver fine solos in a savoury showcase for a superior singer.

The Band I/Steveireneo!

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Irene Kral - Second Chance

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:33
Size: 126,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:20)  1. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
(3:52)  2. Second Chance
(2:42)  3. Something To Remember You By
(3:34)  4. Misty Roses
(6:11)  5. A Time For Love/Small World, Isn't It
(2:36)  6. Oh You Crazy Moon
(5:18)  7. Never Let Me Go
(2:10)  8. It Isn't So Good It Couldn't Get Better
(5:10)  9. Sometime Ago
(2:27) 10. Unlit Room
(5:17) 11. Star Eyes
(4:52) 12. This Masquerade
(6:13) 13. Something In Your Smile/When I Look In Your Eyes
(1:44) 14. Nobody Else But Me

Singer Irene Kral (1932-1978) communicated with her audience through more than just music; she could make everyone in the room believe in what she had to say and take the message home with them for keeps. Recorded in 1975, this program of jazz standards features a nightclub performance with vocalist, acoustic piano trio and swirling emotions. The lyrics of "Second Chance," by Andre Previn and Dory Langdon Previn, make it clear that she believed in letting her feelings tell the story. All of her work came loaded with that kind of sincere expression; Kral knew how to persuade. On this release of ballads and up-tempo romps, the singer fills the room with her message. Piano, double-bass and drums give her plenty of support, but it's a singer's session and Kral is the star. She delivers funny lines, such as the Tommy Wolf, Fran Landesman ditty, "It Isn't So Good It Couldn't Be Worse" as well as classic love ballads such as "Never Let Me Go" and "This Masquerade," which both move dramatically with purpose. Kral is at her best with lyrics. Some wordless fill gives the program an aside, and brief instrumental bridges span one chorus to another with seamless integrity. Frank Severino's stand-out brushwork and Alan Broadbent's wholesome piano cascades add substance to the session, but it's Kral's way with words that lead to her remarkable success. Of course, the music drives much of the program, as in Bob Dorough's brisk "Unlit Room," where rhythm keeps it interesting, and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," where walking bass and a classic jazz trio heartbeat help drive the message. Kral is in the best of company here and her performance stands out as a fine remembrance of her being one of the greatest jazz singers. ~ Jim Santella https://www.allaboutjazz.com/second-chance-irene-kral-jazzed-media-review-by-jim-santella.php
 

Personnel: Irene Kral: vocals; Alan Broadbent: piano; Peter Marshall: bass; Frank Severino: drums.

Second Chance

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Buddy Collette Quintet - Buddy Collette Quintet With Guest Vocalist Irene Kral

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:37
Size: 65.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Vocal jazz
Year: 1962/1990
Art: Front

[1:52] 1. A Taste Of Fresh Air
[2:12] 2. Hunt And Peck
[2:00] 3. Emaline's Theme
[2:33] 4. The Meaning Of The Blues
[2:23] 5. Laura
[1:16] 6. Just Friends
[1:39] 7. There Will Never Be Another You
[3:01] 8. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
[2:07] 9. Tenderly
[1:22] 10. Nobody Else But Me
[1:48] 11. Road Trip
[2:53] 12. Detour Ahead
[1:36] 13. Soft Touch
[1:50] 14. It's A Wonderful World

The fourth of four CDs released by Studio West, a subsidiary of V.S.O.P. Records, that is taken from previously unissued transcriptions made for the radio show "The Navy Swings" features the Buddy Collette Quintet, which in 1962 was comprised of the leader on flute, clarinet, tenor and alto, guitarist Al Viola, pianist Jack Wilson, bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Bill Goodwin. As good as Collette (who contributed four melodic originals) plays on these very concise performances (all clocking in around three minutes or less), it is the six often-touching vocals of Irene Kral that particularly make this a recommended disc. Kral's versions of "The Meaning of the Blues," "Nobody Else but Me" and especially "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" are quite definitive and memorable. ~Allmusic

Buddy Collette Quintet With Guest Vocalist Irene Kral

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Irene Kral - Better Than Anything (With The Junior Mance Trio)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 29:38
Size: 67.8 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1964/ 2004
Art: Front

[2:21] 1. Better Than Anything
[2:22] 2. The Touch Of Your Lips
[3:13] 3. The Meaning Of The Blues
[2:20] 4. Rock Me To Sleep
[3:10] 5. No More
[1:54] 6. Passing By
[2:37] 7. It's A Wonderful World
[3:23] 8. This Is Always
[2:43] 9. Just Friends
[3:35] 10. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
[1:54] 11. Nobody Else But Me

This CD reissues a formerly rare Irene Kral album that was originally recorded for the Ava label, one of only two records that she recorded during 1960-1973. Kral is quite recognizable, although not singing with quite the emotional intensity that she would display during her final three albums (which are all classics). Joined by pianist Junior Mance, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Mickey Roker (whose name is misspelled Rocker), Kral was already a delightful singer. Best are her versions of "Better Than Anything," "The Meaning of the Blues," "It's a Wonderful World," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," and "Nobody Else But Me." This enjoyable set is available through the Spanish Fresh Sound label. ~Scott Yanow

Better Than Anything 

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Irene Kral - You Are There

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:35
Size: 147.9 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[2:07] 1. Watch What Happens
[3:16] 2. If Love Were All
[4:04] 3. Emily
[2:57] 4. Wheelers And Dealers
[4:41] 5. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
[3:31] 6. Mad About The Boy
[3:30] 7. The Underdog
[2:54] 8. You Were There
[1:46] 9. A Child Is Born
[2:57] 10. The Shadow Of Your Smile
[2:47] 11. A Time For Love
[2:21] 12. The Winds Of Heaven
[4:31] 13. A Noel Coward Medley
[3:43] 14. Small Day Tomorrow
[3:10] 15. Pieces Of Dreams
[1:50] 16. Unlit Room
[2:44] 17. Summer Me, Winter Me
[2:40] 18. Love Came On Stealthy Fingers
[2:12] 19. A Room With A View
[2:06] 20. Nothing Like You
[2:18] 21. You Are There
[2:22] 22. I Like It Here (And Here Is Where I'll Stay)

Irene Kral, vocals; Loonis McGlohon, piano, leader, arrangements; Terry Lassiter, bass; Jim Lackey, drums.

Clint Eastwood's Bridges of Madison County is one film that changed my life. Not that I ended up getting a date with Meryl Streep. Nor that I had a Zen awakening to all the bridges that exist in life and love. No, it was the background crooning of two astonishing vocalists whom I, in my regrettable ignorance, had never before heard. When I saw the movie (and listened to its absorbing soundtrack), I glued my eyes to the credits and picked out the names Johnny Hartman and Irene Kral. Since then, my life has become an obsession to find the recordings of these two extraordinary singers who at their best rose far above the crowd of their contemporaries. By now, Hartman's recordings- partly thanks to the movie- are relatively easy to obtain on numerous CD's. With Irene Kral, it is another story. Unfortunately, she was not a prolific recording artist. My life has become one lonely, repetitious series of visits to the jazz section of Tower Records, and with one of every hundred peeks at the "Irene Kral" space (Kral Space is actually the title of one of her albums), I have espied and captured another one of her CD's. At present, I have put my hooks on three: Irene Kral Live ; Gentle Rain ; and now You Are There. All these albums were originally recorded in the 1970's with small groups, or in the case of Gentle Rain, Alan Broadbent's piano accompaniment. This, long after Ms. Kral had done her stints with the best of the big bands- Kenton, Ferguson, etc.- and made that difficult decision to quietly pursue artistic intimacy rather than commercial success.

Johnny Hartman and Irene Kral were both poets of ballads. (Hartman could also swing quite well on up-tempo tunes, while Kral seemed to focus almost entirely on ballads.) Their skill at timing, pitch, and phrase were usually impeccable (Hartman seems to me to have been a bit less consistent than Kral, but that may be because he did diverse recording gigs over several decades.) Their interpretations- their sentiment, their values- were totally pure, such a delicious contrast to the jaded quality of so many of the "greats" whom we all know. They captured the essence of what legendary trombonist J.J. Johnson somewhat mysteriously referred to as "jazz syntax," that special "feel" (with blues somewhere in the background) which makes jazz soulful, meaningful, and creative. As Robert Bly has pointed out, a characteristic of the best modern poets is the way they use vowel sounds. If you listen carefully to Kral's phrasing, you will hear how she emphasizes vowels and gives them her own special speech quality, infusing them with meaning.

You are There was originally recorded in 1977 in record producer Dick Phipps' home music room in Lexington, South Carolina. Kral was somewhere between episodes of breast cancer, which was to take her life at the age of 40 in 1978 (what an incalculable loss!) Her voice, however is strong, and her articulation confident and full of life, with no sign of illness. Her friends, among whom was Carmen McCrae, say that she bore her fate with extraordinary grace. (James Gavin's very helpful liner notes provide useful information about her life and work, as well as a clear appreciation of Kral, the person and the singer.) Each track is excellent: the album is of consistent quality from beginning to end. (The acoustics and recording equipment are quite good, except for a slight "analog" hiss, which is quickly forgotten.) The backup group is the Loonis McGlohon Trio with McGlohon on piano, Terry Lassiter, bass, and Jim Lackey, drums. They are superb accompanists, never intrusive, always to the point. (Ms.Kral's main accompanist at the time was the incomparable Alan Broadbent, but McGlohon, though more restrained in his improvising than Broadbent, provides a perfect frame for Ms. Kral's vocal images.)

Kral always chose her songs carefully. The tunes on this album are tasteful, tender, and interesting. I like her rendition of Mandel's "The Sunshine of Your Smile." "Small Day Tomorrow" seems to reflect Kral's own decision to "follow a different drummer." "A Noel Coward Medley" is a delightful surprise. Kral naturally draws the listener to the uniqueness of both the melody and the words in each song.

If there is a jazz heaven, Ms. Kral's name is surely up there in lights with the great, beautiful, and true jazz artists who will never be known to the marketplace world of the commercial successes. You are There will serve as an excellent introduction to the extraordinary gifts of a singer whose light shone so very brightly for all too short a time. ~AAJ Staff

You Are There

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Irene Kral, Alan Broadbent - Where Is Love?

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:27
Size: 92,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:09)  1. I Like You, You're Nice
(3:38)  2. When I Look in Your Eyes
(6:31)  3. A Time for Love/Small World
(3:10)  4. Love Came on Stealthy Fingers
(4:36)  5. Never Let Me Go
(5:03)  6. Spring Can Really Hang You Up
(6:44)  7. Lucky to Be Me/Some Other Time
(4:22)  8. Where Is Love?
(3:09)  9. Don't Look Back

It's really quite amazing to read anything about the late jazz vocalist Irene Kral. I've never seen anything less than superlative adjectives applied to her all-too-brief career. The younger sister of singer-pianist Roy Kral (Jackie & Roy) who died in July 2002, she spent some time with Maynard Ferguson's band in 1957 and Herb Pomeroy's organization in Boston in '58. I've always enjoyed her presence as Eliza Doolittle on Shelly Manne's 1964 My Fair Lady with the Unoriginal Cast, in which she sings with, and without, a clowning Jack Sheldon as Henry Higgins. After leaving the business in the mid 1960s to raise a family, Irene Kral returned to record a series of ballad albums with pianist-arranger Alan Broadbent and a final work with Loonis McGlohan, before succumbing to breast cancer in 1978. Which brings us to Where is Love, recorded in 1976. It's been almost 30 years since it was released and I haven't heard my vinyl copy in a while (well... decades), so I don't mind telling you that if I had my Desert Island Discs all lined up, Kral's would certainly be represented.

With just a spare piano accompanyment, the vocalist tackles nine very well chosen ballads that are meant not only to entertain us but to advise us about the compositions of singer-songwriters like Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg and Blossom Dearie. Her "Lucky To Be Me"/"Some Other Time" medley are two of the best reasons to see the Leonard Bernstein-Comden/Green musical Wonderful Town (just revived in NYC). It's no wonder that musicians like Bill Evans/Mark Murphy/Fred Hersch have gravitated to recording these tunes. Her unhurried and moving delivery opens up the lyrical content of show tunes like the title song from Oliver or Leslie Bricusse's "When I Look In Your Eyes." I defy you to find a better recording of "Love Came On Stealthy Fingers" or the jazz chanteuse standard "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most."  Although Kral chose to perform in a low-key manner in her final years, she was a fine interpreter of mid- and up-tempo vocals. Clint Eastwood was well aware of this when he chose two of her selections with the Junior Mance Trio to use in his Bridges of Madison County film. When the Eastwood character wanted to demonstrate the power of jazz music circa 1965, he turned on the truck radio and received her versions of "It's A Wonderful World" and "This is Always." ~ Michael P.Gladstone https://www.allaboutjazz.com/where-is-love-irene-kral-choice-candid-review-by-michael-p-gladstone.php

Personnel: Irene Kral, vocals; Alan Broadbent, piano

Where Is Love?

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Laurindo Almeida - Guitar from Ipanema

Styles: Guitar Jazz, Brazilian Jazz

Year: 1964

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 30:07

Size: 69,2 MB

Art: Front

(2:20)  1. Girl from Ipanema

(3:10)  2. Manhã de Carnaval

(2:08)  3. Sarah's Samba

(2:59)  4. Winter Moon

(2:34)  5. Izabella

(2:49)  6. Choro for People in Love

(2:43)  7. Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

(3:51)  8. Old Guitaron

(2:13)  9. Um Abraço No Bonfa

(3:04) 10. Twilight in Rio

(2:10) 11. The Fiddler's Wolf Whistle

It is a bit ironic that guitarist Laurindo Almeida found himself in the 1960's jumping on the bossa-nova bandwagon a bit late for he had actually pioneered the movement a decade earlier. The Brazilian guitarist plays well enough on the 11 bossa tunes included on this out-of-print Lp (mostly originals plus covers of "The Girl From Ipanema," "Manha De Carnaval" and "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars") but the arrangements (which sometimes utilize the whistling of Jack Marshall, George Field's harmonica and flutist Harry Klee among others) are commercial and overly concise; all but two of the songs are under three minutes. Irene Kral's two vocals (quite early in her career) are a plus and the music is quite pleasing but there are no surprises. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/guitar-from-ipanema-mw0000573855

Personnel: Laurindo Almeida (guitar); Irene Kral (vocals); Jack Marshall (whistling, guitar); Al Hendrickson (guitar); Fafá Lemos (violin); Harry Klee (flute); George Fields (harmonica); Djalma Ferreira (organ).

Guitar from Ipanema    

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Irene Kral - The Band And I

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:09
Size: 71.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1958/2006
Art: Front

[2:10] 1. I'd Know You Anywhere
[3:40] 2. Detour Ahead
[2:32] 3. Comes Love
[1:59] 4. Everybody Knew But Me
[2:52] 5. Lazy Afternoon
[2:58] 6. What's Right For You
[2:43] 7. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
[2:55] 8. Memphis In June
[2:04] 9. This Little Love
[2:30] 10. The Night We Called It A Day
[2:30] 11. It Isn't So Good
[2:11] 12. Something To Remember You By

he Band and I pairs Irene Kral with Ernie Wilkins and Al Cohn, whose energetic, robust arrangements capture a dimension of the singer rarely glimpsed on record -- upbeat and persuasive, with little of the spectral melancholy that hangs over her later, more familiar sessions. The titular backing unit in question, led by trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, expertly bridges the gap between traditional big band and modern-era jazz, creating a soulful, lightly swinging showcase that inspires Kral to deliver some of her most appealing performances -- cuts like "This Little Love" and "I'd Know You Anywhere" boast a radiance sadly absent from subsequent sessions. ~Jason Ankeny

The Band And I

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Irene Kral - In The Name Of Love

Size: 147,3 MB
Time: 62:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Comes Love (2:32)
02. It's A Wonderful World (2:30)
03. The Night We Called It A Day (2:29)
04. Rock Me To Sleep (2:17)
05. Detour Ahead (3:40)
06. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart (2:42)
07. The Meaning Of The Blues (3:07)
08. It Isn't So Good (2:29)
09. Lazy Afternoon (2:51)
10. What's Right For You (2:57)
11. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (3:32)
12. This Little Love Of Ours (2:04)
13. Something To Remember You By (2:11)
14. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most (2:59)
15. I'd Know You Anywhere (2:09)
16. This Is Always (3:20)
17. Better Than Anything (2:18)
18. The Touch Of Your Lips (2:18)
19. Memphis In June (2:54)
20. Nobody Else But Me (1:52)
21. Passing By (1:50)
22. No More (3:08)
23. Everybody Knew But Me (1:58)
24. Just Friends (2:36)

Irene Kral (January 18, 1932 – August 15, 1978) was an American jazz singer who was born to Czechoslovakian parents in Chicago, Illinois, and settled in Los Angeles in the early 1960s. She died, due to breast cancer, in Encino, California.

Kral's older brother, Roy Kral, was a successful musician when she started singing professionally as a teenager. She sang with bands on tours led by Woody Herman and Chubby Jackson, former Herman bass player. She joined Maynard Ferguson's band in the late 1950s and sang with groups led by Stan Kenton and Shelly Manne. She then started a solo career until her death at 46 years of age. She was a ballad singer who stated that Carmen McRae was one of her inspirations. She became more famous posthumously when Clint Eastwood used her recordings in his 1995 movie The Bridges of Madison County.

Her style has been compared to that of Carmen McRae (the two singers were friends). Dana Countryman quotes from Lorraine Dahl's 1984 book on women in jazz, Stormy Weather: "Irene Kral had a lovely, resonant voice with a discreet vibrato, flawless diction and intonation, and a slight, attractive nasality and shaping of phrases that resembled Carmen McRae's. But where McRae's readings tend to the astringent, Kral's melt like butter. She was a master of quiet understatement and good taste. ~Wikipedia

In The Name Of Love

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