The record begins with a distinct highlight, a luxurious stroll through the Rodgers/Hart standard "Where or When," which sets the mood and pace for the entire affair. From there, Krall continues to mine the Great American Songbook for such beauties as the Lerner/Lowe staple "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face" and the Hal David/Burt Bacharach favorite "Walk on By."

Krall is at least as good a pianist as she is a vocalist, yet this album isn't much of a showcase for her finger work. "Quiet Nights," as one might suspect given its title, is a bit light on jazz chops. Instead, Krall and her always marvelous band (guitarist Anthony Wilson, bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton) opt for a more refined, and refrained, sound.

The whole package is pulled together in glorious fashion by producer Tommy LiPuma, who also worked on Krall's previous nine outings, and arranger Claus Ogerman, a true legend with a track record that includes work with Stan Getz, Bill Evans, Frank Sinatra and, most significantly in the case of "Quiet Nights," Jobim.