Complete Live at the Pershing Lounge 1958
Ahmad Jamal · 2007
72 min · 20 tracks · jazz
A shimmering tapestry of cool jazz, this live recording captures the effortless interplay between rhythm and melody.
Top tracks — play these first
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But Not for Me Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Poinciana — This track exemplifies Jamal's signature style with its intricate rhythms and melodic embellishments, providing a highlight of improvisational brilliance.
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My Funny Valentine — Jamal's interpretation adds a unique depth to this classic, transforming its familiar melody with his distinct phrasing and dynamic touch.
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There Is No Greater Love — The arrangement showcases Jamal's ability to blend lyrical beauty with complex harmonic structures, making it a standout moment of emotional expression on the album.
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 solid craftsmanship, making it rewarding for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- Jamal's piano often takes the lead, with the bass and drums providing subtle yet intricate support, creating a rich interplay between the instruments.
- Several tracks feature extended improvisation sections, allowing for spontaneous exploration of themes rather than strictly adhering to written arrangements.
- 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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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
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
- steady pacing for relaxed evenings
- intimate ambiance for small gatherings
- smooth melodies for winding down
- engaging background for conversations
- live performance energy throughout
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone hit tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Documents a pivotal live performance, showcasing Jamal's influential style.
- Themes
- Pershing Lounge ambiance· 1950s jazz evolution· improvisational brilliance
- Career context
- By the time of its release in 2007, Ahmad Jamal was already an established figure in jazz, known for his innovative piano style that helped shape the genre. This album, recorded live in 1958 and released decades later, showcases Jamal's mastery during a period when he was gaining significant acclaim, especially after his influential work on 'At The Pershing: But Not For Me' which had solidified his reputation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bill Evans· Cecil Taylor· Oscar Peterson
Tracklist
- 1 But Not for Me Start here 3:33
- 2 The Surrey With the Fringe on Top 2:35
- 3 Moonlight in Vermont 3:09
- 4 Music! Music! Music! (Put Another Nickel) 2:56
- 5 There Is No Greater Love 3:26
- 6 Poinciana 8:07
- 7 Woody ’n You 3:40
- 8 What’s New? 4:10
- 9 Too Late Now 2:32
- 10 All the Things You Are 3:12
- 11 Cherokee 3:43
- 12 It Might as Well Be Spring 3:27
- 13 I’ll Remember April 2:41
- 14 My Funny Valentine 3:29
- 15 Gone With the Wind 3:24
- 16 Billy Boy 3:00
- 17 It’s You or No One 3:34
- 18 They Can’t Take That Away From Me 4:45
- 19 Poor Butterfly 3:38
- 20 Poinciana (single version) 3:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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