Hagar's Song
Charles Lloyd · 2013
69 min · 14 tracks · blues
A lush tapestry of jazz textures intertwines with bluesy emotional depth, capturing the essence of American music traditions.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hagar Suite: I. Journey Up River — This opening movement sets the stage for the overarching narrative of the suite, introducing rich melodic lines that evoke imagery and emotion.
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You’ve Changed — The track presents a heart-wrenching interpretation of loss, showcasing Lloyd's ability to convey deep emotional resonance through improvisation.
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I Shall Be Released — Lloyd's rendition of this classic imbues it with fresh urgency, highlighting themes of redemption and liberation that resonate throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of jazz and blues with a narrative suite structure showcases its artistic ambition.
What we noticed
- The album features a five-part suite that spans nearly half its length, creating a thematic and musical narrative.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements alongside instrumental passages, blending storytelling with jazz improvisation.
- 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
- introspective afternoon listening
- emotive melodies for reflection
- slow-paced journeys through sound
- rich improvisation for deep focus
- soothing lullabies for winding down
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat dance tracks
- prefer instant gratification sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Hagar's Song' was released in 2013, Charles Lloyd was in a phase of artistic rejuvenation following his return to the jazz scene after a lengthy hiatus. This album came after a series of successful collaborations and marked his continued exploration of thematic storytelling through music, showcasing his evolution as both a performer and composer.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ornette Coleman· Wayne Shorter· Kamasi Washington
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pretty Girl 4:51
- 2 Mood Indigo 5:17
- 3 Bess, You Is My Woman Now 3:39
- 4 All About Ronnie 4:20
- 5 Pictogram 3:59
- 6 You’ve Changed 4:51
- 7 Hagar Suite: I. Journey Up River 6:20
- 8 Hagar Suite: II. Dreams of White Bluff 9:46
- 9 Hagar Suite: III. Alone 2:30
- 10 Hagar Suite: IV. Bolivar Blues 4:18
- 11 Hagar Suite: V. Hagar’s Lullaby 5:44
- 12 Rosetta 4:41
- 13 I Shall Be Released 5:11
- 14 God Only Knows 3:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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