What makes Glad to Be Unhappy by Paul Desmond notable?

The album is significant for its critical reception, particularly for Desmond's composition 'Glad to Be Unhappy,' which has since become a standard in jazz repertoire. Additionally, it reflects a period when the cool jazz genre was gaining widespread popularity, influencing many contemporaneous artists. Released in 1965, Glad to Be Unhappy was Paul Desmond's first album after achieving fame as part of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. At this point in his career, Desmond had established himself as a leading voice in jazz, known for his lyrical playing and unique sound, which he further explores in this solo project.

How many songs are on Glad to Be Unhappy?

Glad to Be Unhappy has 7 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Glad to Be Unhappy

Paul Desmond · 1965

40 min · 7 tracks · jazz

A smooth blend of cool jazz harmonies and introspective melodies that showcase Desmond's signature alto saxophone style.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Glad to Be Unhappy — This title track encapsulates Desmond's ability to weave melancholy into mesmerizing melodies, showcasing his distinctive tone and improvisational skill.
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Poor Butterfly — Desmond's interpretation of this classic brings a fresh perspective, blending emotional depth with intricate phrasing that highlights his innovative approach.
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Angel Eyes — This track stands out for its haunting atmosphere and eloquent solos, exemplifying Desmond's ability to evoke complex feelings through his instrument.

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 Desmond's lyrical saxophone style within a cohesive cool jazz framework.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of soft, laid-back tempos across all seven tracks, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Desmond's alto saxophone takes the lead on nearly every track, with minimal accompaniment from piano and bass, emphasizing his melodic lines.
Each track typically follows a standard jazz structure, often featuring a head followed by improvisation before returning to the main theme.

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 Glad to Be Unhappy 5:34
2 Poor Butterfly 7:19
3 Stranger in Town 6:26
4 A Taste of Honey 4:32
5 Any Other Time 5:26
6 Hi‐Lili, Hi‐Lo 4:44
7 Angel Eyes 6:16

What to play next

Listen next

Easy Living

1966

Go back to

Bossa Antigua

1965

Full Paul Desmond discography Artists like Paul Desmond

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata