Amaryllis
Marilyn Crispell · 2001
55 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A contemplative blend of jazz textures intertwines with ethereal melodies, creating a serene yet complex auditory landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Voice From the Past Start here — This opening track introduces the listener to Crispell's introspective style, featuring delicate piano lines that evoke a sense of nostalgia and reflection.
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Amaryllis — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic essence with its lush harmonies and dynamic shifts, showcasing Crispell's ability to blend melody with improvisational freedom.
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Requiem — With its somber yet beautiful progression, this piece highlights Crispell's emotional depth and technical prowess, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Prayer — Closing the album, this track offers a meditative quality that resonates with spiritual undertones, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of peace.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalCrispell's work showcases strong improvisational skills and unique textures, making it engaging for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- Several tracks utilize extended improvisation, allowing the musicians to develop themes organically over time.
- The first half of the album maintains a contemplative mood, while the latter half introduces more rhythmic complexity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective moments of stillness
- delicate nuances in quiet passages
- thoughtful exploration of soundscapes
- intimate listening for introspection
- soothing background for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- fans of catchy melodies
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry in her catalog that doesn't stand out as a breakthrough or peak.
- Themes
- ethereal melodies· nostalgic reflection· spiritual meditation
- Career context
- When 'Amaryllis' was released in 2001, Marilyn Crispell was already an established figure in the jazz avant-garde scene, known for her innovative piano techniques. This album followed her critically acclaimed work 'Nothing Ever Was, Anyway' and further solidified her reputation as a leading voice in contemporary jazz composition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cecil Taylor· Paul Bley· Annette Peacock
Tracklist
- 1 Voice From the Past Start here 5:57
- 2 Amaryllis 3:35
- 3 Requiem 4:45
- 4 Conception Vessel / Circle Dance 5:39
- 5 Voices 4:32
- 6 December Greenwings 4:11
- 7 Silence 3:20
- 8 M.E. 5:18
- 9 Rounds 4:08
- 10 Avatar 4:18
- 11 Morpion 3:34
- 12 Prayer 5:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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