Is Lonely Woman a good place to start with Modern Jazz Quartet?

Yes, Lonely Woman is recommended as a starting point for new Modern Jazz Quartet listeners. A seamless blend of intricate melodies and soft rhythms, evoking a sense of introspection and urban sophistication. Released in 1962, Lonely Woman marked the Modern Jazz Quartet's fifth studio album, further establishing their signature cool jazz style. At this point, they had already gained notable recognition in the jazz world, following their earlier successes with albums like 'Piano Jazz' and 'Third Stream Music'. This album showcased their continued evolution as a cohesive unit blending classical elements with jazz improvisation.

Who is Lonely Woman for?

Lonely Woman works well if you're into wave-like pacing for reflection, introspective melodies for solitude and emotional depth in every track.

How many songs are on Lonely Woman?

Lonely Woman has 8 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Lonely Woman

Modern Jazz Quartet · 1962

43 min · 8 tracks · cool jazz

A seamless blend of intricate melodies and soft rhythms, evoking a sense of introspection and urban sophistication.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Lonely Woman Start here — The title track stands out for its haunting melody and emotive depth, encapsulating the essence of the album while showcasing the group's intricate interplay.
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Animal Dance — This track features playful rhythms and a lively tempo that contrasts beautifully with the more contemplative pieces, highlighting the quartet's versatility.
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New York 19 — With its extended length and complex interactions between instruments, this piece exemplifies the group's improvisational prowess and urban narrative.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate melodies and cohesive arrangements, solidifying its place in cool jazz.

What we noticed

The title track features a slow, haunting melody that is developed through variations by the piano and vibraphone.
Each of the eight tracks maintains a consistent tempo, with most pieces staying within a relaxed, contemplative pace.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

wave-like pacing for reflection
introspective melodies for solitude
emotional depth in every track
dynamic exploration of themes

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer upbeat, fast-paced music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Significant for its critical reception, defining cool jazz sound.
Themes: New York urbanity· introspective melodies· soft rhythmic sophistication
Career context: Released in 1962, Lonely Woman marked the Modern Jazz Quartet's fifth studio album, further establishing their signature cool jazz style. At this point, they had already gained notable recognition in the jazz world, following their earlier successes with albums like 'Piano Jazz' and 'Third Stream Music'. This album showcased their continued evolution as a cohesive unit blending classical elements with jazz improvisation.
Stylistic neighbors: Bill Evans· Dave Brubeck· Gerry Mulligan