Released 50 years ago
End of a Rainbow
Patti Austin · 1976
39 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A smooth blend of jazz-inflected pop and rhythm and blues, showcasing rich vocals and sophisticated arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Say You Love Me — This track highlights Austin's powerful vocal delivery and emotional range, becoming one of her signature songs that showcases her ability to convey deep feelings through music.
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More Today Than Yesterday — A cover of a classic song, Austin's rendition adds a fresh interpretation with her soulful voice, illustrating her versatility and connection to the song's emotional core.
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Sweet Sadie the Savior — This track stands out for its intricate arrangement and lyrical depth, allowing Austin to explore themes of hope and redemption with grace and power.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid vocal performances and arrangements but lacks standout compositions that elevate it beyond its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong vocal performance on 'Say You Love Me', establishing a smooth pop-jazz sound that persists throughout.
- Tracks feature layered arrangements with prominent horns and strings, creating a lush backdrop for the vocals.
- Several songs incorporate rhythmic shifts, such as 'More Today Than Yesterday', which blends upbeat tempos with reflective lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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
- smooth vocals for easy listening
- emotive storytelling through song
- reflective moments of nostalgia
- gentle melodies for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- want immediate energetic gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1976, End of a Rainbow marked Patti Austin's debut album, introducing her unique vocal style to a wider audience after years of working as a session vocalist. This album set the foundation for her successful career in jazz and pop music, establishing her as a prominent artist in the 1970s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Roberta Flack· Natalie Cole· Chaka Khan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Say You Love Me 6:07
- 2 In My Life 4:22
- 3 You Don’t Have to Say You’re Sorry 3:39
- 4 More Today Than Yesterday 5:33
- 5 Give It Time 3:27
- 6 There Is No Time 3:43
- 7 What’s at the End of a Rainbow 2:54
- 8 This Side of Heaven 3:05
- 9 Sweet Sadie the Savior 6:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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