Della by Starlight
Della Reese · 1960
45 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A lush orchestral backdrop supports Della Reese's powerful, emotive vocals across standards of jazz and traditional pop.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
The Touch of Your Lips Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
-
→
More Than You Know — This track highlights Reese's vocal range and emotional depth, showcasing a nuanced interpretation of longing that resonates throughout the album.
-
→
He Was Too Good to Me — Reese's delivery here combines vulnerability and strength; the arrangement complements her voice, creating an unforgettable moment of introspection.
-
→
Embraceable You — The lush instrumentation paired with Reese's warm vocals brings a sense of intimacy to this classic love song, making it a standout performance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Rich orchestral arrangements support emotive vocals, showcasing Reese's range across jazz standards.
What we noticed
- The orchestral arrangements feature lush strings and brass that complement Reese's vocals, creating a rich sonic texture.
- Each track showcases a different standard, with Reese's vocal delivery varying from soft and intimate to powerful and soaring.
- The album maintains a consistent mid-tempo feel throughout, with only slight variations in pacing between tracks.
- 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
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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 progression throughout
- soulful warmth for cozy evenings
- reflective moments with soft vocals
- gentle pacing for relaxed listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped establish Della Reese as a significant crossover artist.
- Career context
- Released in 1960, 'Della by Starlight' marked Della Reese's transition from a gospel artist to a prominent figure in the jazz and pop genres. This album followed her successful career on the nightclub circuit and showcased her ability to deliver sophisticated interpretations of classic songs, solidifying her place in the music industry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan· Billie Holiday
Tracklist
- 1 The Touch of Your Lips Start here 3:18
- 2 He Was Too Good to Me 3:23
- 3 That Old Feeling 3:32
- 4 I Had the Craziest Dream 3:58
- 5 I Wish I Knew 3:25
- 6 Lamplight 3:41
- 7 How Did He Look? 4:21
- 8 More Than You Know 4:32
- 9 These Foolish Things 4:24
- 10 Deep in a Dream 3:44
- 11 Embraceable You 3:48
- 12 Two Sleepy People 3:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.