Flirting with Twilight
Kurt Elling · 2001
56 min · 11 tracks · jazz
Smooth vocal jazz intertwines with lush arrangements, creating an intimate atmosphere that invites listeners into a world of complex emotions.
Top tracks — play these first
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Detour Ahead — This track showcases Elling's extraordinary vocal control and emotional depth, transforming a standard into a poignant exploration of longing.
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You Don't Know What Love Is — Elling's interpretation infuses this classic with both melancholy and warmth, highlighted by his ability to weave storytelling through each note.
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Lil' Darlin' — The playful arrangement allows Elling to demonstrate his scat singing prowess while maintaining a conversational tone that feels both relaxed and engaging.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Elling's smooth vocals and lush arrangements create an intimate atmosphere, showcasing strong composition and craftsmanship.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush orchestral arrangements that complement Elling's smooth vocal delivery throughout.
- Each track typically follows a standard jazz structure, with Elling improvising over the chord changes while maintaining melodic integrity.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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 journey throughout
- for evening relaxation
- emotional depth in every track
- vocal improvisations that captivate
- intimate moments for solo listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2001, Flirting with Twilight marked Kurt Elling's fourth studio album, following his critically acclaimed album, Live in Chicago. At this point in his career, Elling was establishing himself as a significant voice in modern jazz, known for his innovative approach to vocal jazz and lyrical interpretation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gregory Porter· Cécile McLorin Salvant· Diana Krall
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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You Don't Know What Love Is
The lyrics shift from reflective musings to a direct plea for understanding love's complexities.
This transition amplifies the emotional weight of the song, moving from personal introspection to an urgent appeal that deepens listener engagement.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Moonlight Serenade 4:22
- 2 Detour Ahead 5:34
- 3 You Don't Know What Love Is 5:36
- 4 Orange Blossoms in Summertime 6:33
- 5 Not While I'm Around 6:26
- 6 Easy Living 5:22
- 7 Lil' Darlin' 5:40
- 8 I Get Along Without You Very Well 3:37
- 9 Blame It on My Youth 3:27
- 10 I'm Thru With Love 4:57
- 11 Say It 4:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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