What makes Desmond Blue by Paul Desmond notable?

The album is notable for its innovative blend of jazz and orchestral elements, showcasing Desmond's signature airy saxophone style. It received positive critical reception and has been influential in shaping the sound of contemporary jazz ballads. When Paul Desmond released 'Desmond Blue' in 1962, he was already well-known as the saxophonist for the Dave Brubeck Quartet. This album marked his first major solo project, allowing him to explore a more personal sound while still building on his established reputation in the jazz world.

How many songs are on Desmond Blue?

Desmond Blue has 12 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Desmond Blue

Paul Desmond · 1962

49 min · 12 tracks · jazz

Smooth, lyrical saxophone melodies intertwine with lush orchestral arrangements, creating an intimate jazz experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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My Funny Valentine — This cover highlights Desmond's ability to infuse a familiar standard with fresh emotion through his delicate phrasing and rich tone.
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Desmond Blue — The title track exemplifies the album's overall mood, showcasing a unique interplay between Desmond's saxophone and lush string arrangements that encapsulate his distinct sound.
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I've Got You Under My Skin — Desmond’s interpretation transforms this classic into a smooth, sultry affair, underlining his skill at making popular songs resonate within a jazz context.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Desmond Blue blends jazz and orchestral elements effectively, showcasing strong melodies and skilled craftsmanship.

What we noticed

The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Desmond's saxophone, creating a rich sonic texture.
Each track is structured around a central melody, with improvisational sections that showcase Desmond's lyrical playing style.
The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo feel, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 My Funny Valentine 3:53
2 Desmond Blue 3:42
3 Then I'll Be Tired of You 4:08
4 I've Got You Under My Skin 4:41
5 Late Lament 4:11
6 I Should Care 3:52
7 Like Someone in Love 4:13
8 Ill Wind 3:52
9 Body and Soul 5:05
10 Advise and Consent 2:04
11 Autumn Leaves 5:46
12 Imagination 4:04

What to play next

Listen next

Two of a Mind

1962

Go back to

First Place Again

1959

Full Paul Desmond discography Artists like Paul Desmond

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata