Lady Be Good ... For Ella
Tommy Flanagan · 1993
61 min · 11 tracks · jazz
Elegant piano melodies intertwine with heartfelt improvisation, paying homage to jazz standards through a rich, expressive lens.
Top tracks — play these first
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Oh, Lady, Be Good! — This track opens the album with a vibrant energy, showcasing Flanagan's rhythmic dexterity and ability to blend classical influences with improvisational flair.
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Love You Madly — Flanagan's interpretation brings a fresh perspective to this Duke Ellington classic, highlighting his lyrical touch on the piano while maintaining an engaging conversation with the ensemble.
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How High the Moon — This track features intricate harmonies and Flanagan's signature swing feel, illustrating his skillful navigation of complex chord changes and rhythmic playfulness.
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Cherokee — The performance here is a stunning display of virtuosity, as Flanagan tackles the rapid tempo with seamless runs and inventive phrasing that exemplifies bebop influences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalFlanagan's nuanced interpretations and thematic coherence create an engaging tribute to jazz standards.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent piano-led arrangement, with Flanagan's improvisation weaving through each track, creating a fluid dialogue between melody and rhythm.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- dynamic exploration of classic standards
- heartfelt piano melodies throughout
- wave-like pacing with emotional shifts
- for reflective evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer upbeat dance tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1993, Tommy Flanagan was an established figure in jazz, known for his work as a sideman and bandleader. 'Lady Be Good ... For Ella' came after decades of contributions to the genre, including collaborations with prominent artists like Ella Fitzgerald, making this album a fitting tribute during his later career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- McCoy Tyner· Bill Evans· Chick Corea
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Alone Too Long
The narrative shifts from nostalgia to longing, capturing a profound sense of solitude as musical motifs evolve throughout the piece.
This dynamic shift in tone contrasts earlier verses, enhancing the emotional depth by introducing dissonance that mirrors the themes of isolation.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Oh, Lady, Be Good! 4:48
- 2 Love You Madly 6:40
- 3 Isn't It a Pity? 5:59
- 4 How High the Moon 5:36
- 5 Smooth Sailing 3:49
- 6 Alone Too Long 7:41
- 7 Angel Eyes 5:33
- 8 Cherokee 6:37
- 9 Rough Ridin' 4:54
- 10 Pete Kelly's Blues 5:29
- 11 Oh. Lady, Be Good! 3:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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