What makes Beauty Is a Rare Thing by Ornette Coleman notable?

'Beauty Is a Rare Thing' is notable for its ambitious length and complex arrangements, which contributed to the ongoing discourse around free jazz. The album received critical acclaim for its innovative structure and depth, helping to reinforce Coleman's status as a pioneer in the genre. Released in 1993, 'Beauty Is a Rare Thing' marked Ornette Coleman's return to the studio after a decade-long hiatus. This album compiles various performances showcasing his avant-garde approach to jazz, reflecting both his prolific career and the evolution of his sound through the years.

Who is Beauty Is a Rare Thing for?

Beauty Is a Rare Thing works well if you're into dynamic improvisation with peaks, long-form explorations of sound and engaging late-night listening sessions.

How many songs are on Beauty Is a Rare Thing?

Beauty Is a Rare Thing has 57 tracks, running approximately 426 minutes.

Beauty Is a Rare Thing

Ornette Coleman · 1993

426 min · 57 tracks · jazz

A sprawling exploration of free jazz, merging vibrant improvisation with intricate melodic structures.

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Why this album works

'Beauty Is a Rare Thing' is notable for its ambitious length and complex arrangements, which contributed to the ongoing discourse around free jazz. The album received critical acclaim for its innovative structure and depth, helping to reinforce Coleman's status as a pioneer in the genre.

Career context: Released in 1993, 'Beauty Is a Rare Thing' marked Ornette Coleman's return to the studio after a decade-long hiatus. This album compiles various performances showcasing his avant-garde approach to jazz, reflecting both his prolific career and the evolution of his sound through the years.
Stylistic neighbors: Diana Ross· Barbra Streisand· Bob Dylan· Ella Fitzgerald· Dave Brubeck· Andy Williams· Tony Bennett· Aretha Franklin

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

1 Focus on Sanity 6:51
2 Chronology 6:07
3 Peace 9:04
4 Congeniality 6:47
5 Lonely Woman Standout 4:59
6 Monk and the Nun 5:56
7 Just for You 3:53
8 Eventually 4:23
9 Una muy bonita 6:00
10 Bird Food 5:30
11 Change of the Century 4:44
12 Music Always 5:29

Disc 2

1 The Face of the Bass 6:57
2 Forerunner 5:15
3 Free 6:22
4 The Circle With a Hole in the Middle 4:53
5 Ramblin’ 6:37
6 Little Symphony 5:16
7 The Tribes of New York 4:34
8 Kaleidoscope 6:36
9 Rise and Shine 6:13
10 Mr. and Mrs. People 4:42
11 Blues Connotation 5:18
12 I Heard It Over the Radio 6:23

Disc 3

1 P.S. Unless One Has (Blues Connotation No. 2) 5:54
2 Revolving Doors 4:28
3 Brings Goodness 6:39
4 Joy of a Toy 4:57
5 To Us 4:36
6 Humpty Dumpty 5:24
7 The Fifth of Beethoven 6:37
8 Motive for Its Use 5:41
9 Moon Inhabitants 4:33
10 The Legend of Bebop 7:18
11 Some Other 7:23
12 Embraceable You 4:56
13 All 4:30

Disc 4

1 Folk Tale 4:48
2 Poise 4:38
3 Beauty Is a Rare Thing Standout 7:14
4 First Take 17:05
5 Free Jazz Standout 37:03

Disc 5

1 Proof Readers 10:27
2 W.R.U. 16:27
3 Check Up 10:11
4 T. & T. 4:38
5 C. & D. 13:12
6 R.P.D.D. 9:40
7 The Alchemy of Scott LaFaro 9:49

Disc 6

1 Eos 6:37
2 Enfant 6:28
3 Ecars 7:37
4 Cross Breeding 11:21
5 Harlem’s Manhattan 8:11
6 Mapa 9:07
7 Abstraction 4:10
8 Variants on a Theme of Thelonious Monk (Criss‐Cross): Variant I / Variant II / Variant III / Variant IV 15:22

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata

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Virgin Beauty

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