Being There cover

Being There

Tord Gustavsen Trio · 2007

59 min · 13 tracks

A contemplative blend of jazz and classical elements, weaving intricate melodies with spacious, emotive improvisation.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    At Home — This opening track establishes the album's intimate tone with its gentle piano lines and subtle rhythmic pulse, inviting listeners into Gustavsen's world.
  • →
    Blessed Feet — With its rich harmonic structure and expressive solos, this track exemplifies the trio's ability to blend improvisation with lyrical beauty.
  • →
    Cocoon — The delicate interplay between piano and bass creates a serene atmosphere, highlighting the trio's chemistry and musical empathy throughout the piece.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100
Alpine
Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate melodies and emotive improvisation, making it rewarding for repeated listens.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended tracks, with several pieces exceeding six minutes, allowing for deep improvisation and exploration of themes.
  • Each track often begins with a sparse arrangement, gradually building layers of melody and harmony before returning to a minimalist conclusion.
  • The piano frequently takes the lead, while the bass and drums provide subtle support, creating a conversational dynamic between the instruments.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 At Home 6:08
  • 2 Vicar Street 3:43
  • 3 Draw Near 3:54
  • 4 Blessed Feet 6:06
  • 5 Sani 2:38
  • 6 Interlude 2:18
  • 7 Karmosin 5:10
  • 8 Still There 4:19
  • 9 Where We Went 4:46
  • 10 Cocoon 5:49
  • 11 Around You 5:34
  • 12 Vesper 4:27
  • 13 Wide Open 4:39

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata