Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real
Rahsaan Roland Kirk · 1977
44 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A vibrant tapestry of jazz traditions woven with playful improvisation and rich emotional expression.
Top tracks — play these first
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Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real — The title track exemplifies Kirk's signature style, combining intricate melodies with lively rhythms that invite both deep listening and dance.
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Watergate Blues — This track stands out with its clever social commentary wrapped in an engaging blues structure, showcasing Kirk's ability to blend humor with serious themes.
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In a Mellow Tone — Kirk's rendition transforms this classic into a lush, atmospheric experience that highlights his emotive playing and deep connection to the song's essence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalKirk's adventurous fusion of styles and his unique instrumental approach mark this as a significant jazz record.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a lively piano and clarinet interplay, establishing a playful tone.
- Each track showcases Kirk's multi-instrumentalism, often layering different woodwinds to create rich textures.
- Several pieces incorporate traditional jazz standards, but they are reinterpreted with unconventional rhythms and improvisational sections.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- playful grooves for social gatherings
- swinging rhythms that invite movement
- mellow vibes for relaxed afternoons
- short tracks for sampling
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- seek intense, high-energy experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time of its release in 1977, Rahsaan Roland Kirk was already an established figure in jazz, known for his innovative multi-instrumentalism. This album followed his acclaimed work 'Blacknuss' and showcased his continued exploration of blending genres, particularly through the lens of hard bop and traditional jazz elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Charles Mingus· Sun Ra· Ornette Coleman
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Watergate Blues
Kirk shifts from playful banter to sharp political insights about contemporary issues.
This transition not only showcases his versatility as a performer but also underscores the socio-political context of the era, merging entertainment with critique.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Boogie-Woogie String Along for Real 8:52
- 2 I Loves You, Porgy 1:51
- 3 Make Me a Pallet on the Floor 7:14
- 4 Hey Babepips 5:10
- 5 In a Mellow Tone 6:15
- 6 Summertime 1:40
- 7 Dorthaan's Walk 7:08
- 8 Watergate Blues 6:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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