Is By Special Request a good place to start with Carmen McRae?

Yes, By Special Request is recommended as a starting point for new Carmen McRae listeners. Carmen McRae's smooth vocals glide effortlessly over lush arrangements, blending jazz standards with emotional depth and sophisticated artistry. When 'By Special Request' was released in 1956, Carmen McRae was establishing herself as a prominent jazz vocalist. This album followed her successful debut 'Carmen Sings Monk' and showcased her ability to interpret well-known standards with a unique flair, further solidifying her position in the jazz scene.

Who is By Special Request for?

By Special Request works well if you're into steady melodic flow throughout, warm voice for cozy evenings and for relaxed gatherings.

How many songs are on By Special Request?

By Special Request has 17 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Released 70 years ago

By Special Request

Carmen McRae · 1956

48 min · 17 tracks · jazz

Carmen McRae's smooth vocals glide effortlessly over lush arrangements, blending jazz standards with emotional depth and sophisticated artistry.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Give Me the Simple Life Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
→
Love Is Here to Stay — This track exemplifies McRae's ability to convey deep emotion through subtle phrasing and dynamic control, making it a standout interpretation of a classic standard.
→
My One and Only Love — The delicate interplay between McRae's voice and the lush instrumentation creates an intimate atmosphere, showcasing her skill at transforming romantic ballads into deeply personal experiences.
→
I'll Remember April — McRae's interpretation brings a fresh perspective to this well-loved tune, combining technical prowess with heartfelt delivery that captures the essence of nostalgia.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

McRae's smooth vocals and lush arrangements create a cohesive exploration of jazz standards.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of lush orchestral arrangements that complement McRae's vocal delivery throughout.
Tracks often transition smoothly from one to the next, maintaining a relaxed tempo and mood.
Several songs include instrumental interludes that showcase the accompanying musicians, allowing for moments of improvisation.
The final track closes with a gentle fade-out, creating a sense of completion after the preceding emotional journey.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic flow throughout
warm voice for cozy evenings
for relaxed gatherings
short tracks for casual listening
sophisticated elegance in every song

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy anthems
prefer lengthy, immersive albums

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album contributed to Carmen McRae's rise as a prominent jazz vocalist.
Career context: When 'By Special Request' was released in 1956, Carmen McRae was establishing herself as a prominent jazz vocalist. This album followed her successful debut 'Carmen Sings Monk' and showcased her ability to interpret well-known standards with a unique flair, further solidifying her position in the jazz scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Ella Fitzgerald