Dreams and Daggers
Cécile McLorin Salvant · 2017
112 min · 23 tracks · jazz
A rich tapestry of jazz standards interwoven with emotionally charged interpretations and Cécile McLorin Salvant's powerful vocal prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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Devil May Care — This track features Salvant's playful yet nuanced vocal delivery, capturing the essence of carefree abandon while navigating complex emotional themes.
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My Man’s Gone Now — Salvant's interpretation breathes new life into this poignant standard, showcasing her ability to convey profound sorrow through powerful phrasing and dynamic control.
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Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues — In this track, Salvant embodies the spirit of defiance and empowerment with a bold vocal performance that resonates with the song's historical context.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Salvant's powerful vocals and innovative arrangements create a strong yet varied listening experience.
What we noticed
- Many tracks include intricate arrangements that highlight both the vocal melodies and the accompanying instrumentation.
- Several songs transition smoothly into one another, creating a cohesive flow despite the diverse selection of material.
- 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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7/10
- 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
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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- contemplative late-night vibes
- rich sonic textures
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Dreams and Daggers' was released in September 2017, Cécile McLorin Salvant had already established herself as a prominent voice in contemporary jazz. This album followed her Grammy-winning project 'For One to Love' (2016), showcasing her continued artistic evolution and deepening engagement with classic material while further enhancing her reputation as a leading jazz vocalist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Esperanza Spalding· Nina Simone· Jazzmeia Horn
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 And Yet 1:06
- 2 Devil May Care 6:56
- 3 Mad About the Boy 6:52
- 4 Sam Jones’ Blues 2:59
- 5 More 3:33
- 6 Never Will I Marry 4:02
- 7 Somehow I Never Could Believe 9:55
- 8 If a Girl Isn’t Pretty 2:55
- 9 Red Instead 0:34
- 10 Runnin’ Wild 1:39
- 11 The Best Thing for You (Would Be Me) 7:08
Disc 2
- 1 You’re My Thrill 4:34
- 2 I Didn’t Know What Time It Was 6:29
- 3 Tell Me What They’re Saying Can’t Be True 5:29
- 4 Nothing Like You 3:49
- 5 You’ve Got to Give Me Some 6:11
- 6 The Worm 1:03
- 7 My Man’s Gone Now 6:27
- 8 Let’s Face the Music and Dance 6:55
- 9 Si J’étais Blanche 5:14
- 10 Fascination 1:27
- 11 Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues 6:50
- 12 You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me 9:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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