What makes Dorothy's Harp by Dorothy Ashby notable?

This album is significant for its role in popularizing the harp within jazz, a genre where it had been largely underrepresented. Critical reception highlighted its fresh interpretations of contemporary songs from the era, such as Love Is Blue and Fool on the Hill, which helped Ashby gain recognition beyond the jazz community. Released in 1969, Dorothy's Harp marked Ashby's third album, following her acclaimed 1966 release, In a Minor Groove. At this point in her career, Ashby was solidifying her reputation as a pioneering jazz harpist, showcasing her unique ability to blend traditional jazz elements with innovative arrangements.

How many songs are on Dorothy's Harp?

Dorothy's Harp has 11 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Dorothy's Harp

Dorothy Ashby · 1969

35 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A lush tapestry of jazz harmonies interwoven with Dorothy Ashby’s virtuosic harp, creating a soothing yet intricate soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Love Is Blue — Ashby’s interpretation transforms this pop hit into a mesmerizing jazz piece, showcasing her skillful harp melodies and rich harmonic textures.
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Fool on the Hill — This track captures a dreamy quality with Ashby's delicate playing, perfectly complementing the ethereal nature of the original song and highlighting her innovative style.
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Canto de Ossanha — This composition features intricate rhythms and rich cultural influences, demonstrating Ashby's versatility while embracing Afro-Brazilian music traditions.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Ashby's unique harp compositions within a cohesive jazz framework, balancing complexity and accessibility.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of the harp as the lead instrument, with intricate melodies that often weave in and out of the lush harmonic backdrop.
Several tracks incorporate subtle rhythmic variations, creating a dynamic interplay between the harp and accompanying instruments without overwhelming the listener.

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: 7/10
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.

Tracklist

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

1 By the Time I Get to Phoenix 3:31
2 Canto de Ossanha 3:37
3 Love Is Blue 2:53
4 Reza 3:01
5 This Girl’s in Love With You 2:50
6 Truth Spoken Here 2:52
7 Toronado 3:06
8 The Windmills of Your Mind 3:22
9 ’Cause I Need It 3:02
10 Just Had to Tell Somebody 2:39
11 Fool on the Hill 4:10

What to play next

Listen next

The Rubaiyat of Dorothy Ashby

1970

Go back to

Afro-Harping

1968

Full Dorothy Ashby discography Artists like Dorothy Ashby

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata