Haunted Heart
Charlie Haden · 1992
66 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A haunting blend of avant-garde textures and emotive melodies that showcases Haden's deep connection to jazz standards.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hello My Lovely — This track features a delicate interplay between Haden's bass and the piano, creating an intimate atmosphere that highlights emotional nuance.
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Haunted Heart — The title track stands out for its profound melancholy and intricate arrangement, capturing the essence of longing that pervades the album.
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Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye — Haden’s rendition brings a fresh perspective to this classic, emphasizing its bittersweet nature through subtle dynamics and phrasing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends avant-garde textures with jazz standards, showcasing strong composition and craft.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief introductory track that sets a reflective tone before transitioning into more structured pieces.
- Each track features a distinct arrangement, often highlighting Haden's bass lines while allowing for improvisational flourishes from accompanying musicians.
- Several tracks reinterpret jazz standards with unconventional harmonies and rhythms, creating a haunting atmosphere throughout the record.
- 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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8/10
- 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
- haunting melodies for quiet moments
- patient unfolding of emotional depth
- deep listening for introspective moods
- captivating narratives through improvisation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- prefer standalone, catchy singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Haunted Heart' was released in 1992, Charlie Haden had established himself as a prominent figure in both avant-garde and free jazz. This album marked a significant return to traditional jazz standards after his earlier experimental works, showcasing his versatility and depth as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Paul Bley· Keith Jarrett· Ornette Coleman
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Introduction 0:39
- 2 Hello My Lovely 6:48
- 3 Haunted Heart 9:16
- 4 Dance of the Infidels 3:55
- 5 The Long Goodbye 6:08
- 6 Moonlight Serenade 9:15
- 7 Lennie’s Pennies 5:20
- 8 Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye 4:20
- 9 Lady in the Lake 6:14
- 10 Segment 5:36
- 11 The Bad and the Beautiful 2:29
- 12 Deep Song 6:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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