Cry Young
Ahmad Jamal · 1967
33 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A seamless blend of cool jazz sophistication and emotive expression, anchored by intricate piano arrangements and lush instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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A Beautiful Friendship Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Cry Young — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of youthful exuberance, featuring an engaging melody and dynamic interplay between the piano and rhythm section.
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Nature Boy — This interpretation of the classic song highlights Jamal's ability to infuse emotional depth into his performances, with a haunting arrangement that enhances its lyrical poignancy.
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Who Needs Manhattan — This track stands out for its clever rhythmic shifts and playful exploration of urban themes, showcasing Jamal's knack for blending narrative with musicality.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases intricate compositions and cohesive arrangements that reflect Jamal's distinctive style.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of intricate piano melodies that are often accompanied by subtle string arrangements, creating a lush soundscape.
- Each track maintains a relaxed tempo, with several pieces transitioning seamlessly into one another without noticeable breaks.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- reflective moments of calm
- steady melodic improvisation flow
- gentle background for relaxation
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
Maybe skip if you
- seeks fast-paced excitement
- prefers lengthy immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases artistic depth and influences modal jazz evolution during the late 1960s.
- Career context
- Released in 1967, Cry Young is Ahmad Jamal's follow-up to his critically acclaimed album, At the Pershing: But Not for Me. By this time, he had established himself as a significant figure in the jazz scene, renowned for his innovative approach to rhythm and space within compositions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bill Evans· Cecil Taylor· Oscar Peterson
Tracklist
- 1 A Beautiful Friendship Start here 3:06
- 2 Where Is Love 2:32
- 3 Little Ditty 2:24
- 4 Who Needs Manhattan 3:53
- 5 Minor Moods 2:21
- 6 Cry Young 3:42
- 7 Nature Boy 3:12
- 8 There Are Such Things 3:24
- 9 Call Me Irresponsible 2:53
- 10 Tropical Breeze 3:00
- 11 C'est si bon 2:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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