As Long as There's Music
Charlie Haden · 1978
38 min · 5 tracks · jazz
A reflective blend of avant-garde jazz and free improvisation, embracing both lyrical melodies and experimental textures.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Irene — This opening track establishes the album's contemplative tone, featuring Haden's poignant bass lines intertwined with Hawes' delicate piano work, creating an intimate atmosphere.
-
→
As Long as There’s Music — The title track embodies the album's theme, combining lyrical melodies with intricate improvisation that reflects Haden's deep emotional connection to the music.
-
→
This Is Called Love — This piece showcases a dynamic interplay between the musicians, illustrating their chemistry and ability to communicate complex emotions through their instruments.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong improvisational skills and thoughtful composition within avant-garde jazz.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow, contemplative melody that gradually introduces more complex harmonies as it progresses.
- Each piece features extended improvisation sections, allowing both the bassist and pianist to explore themes in depth.
- The album's final track employs a contrasting tempo and texture, creating a sense of closure that differs from the preceding pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
Known within its scene. 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
- exploratory soundscapes for introspection
- patient melodies inviting contemplation
- immersive experience through improvisation
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of immediate gratification
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1978, As Long as There's Music marked a significant collaboration between bassist Charlie Haden and pianist Hampton Hawes. This album came after Haden's work with the groundbreaking Liberation Music Orchestra, showcasing his evolving artistic vision while exploring deeper emotional landscapes through music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Paul Bley· Keith Jarrett· Ornette Coleman
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Irene 7:56
- 2 Rain Forest 5:34
- 3 Hello/Goodbye 8:00
- 4 As Long as There’s Music 8:11
- 5 This Is Called Love 9:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.