Love Is What Stays
Mark Murphy · 2007
64 min · 13 tracks · jazz
A reflective jazz album marked by smooth vocals and intricate arrangements that evoke a sense of yearning and nostalgia.
Top tracks — play these first
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Angel Eyes — This track showcases Murphy’s rich tonal quality and deep emotional resonance, elevating a classic standard through its lush arrangement and heartfelt interpretation.
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So Doggone Lonesome — With its poignant lyrics and melancholic melody, this song highlights Murphy's storytelling prowess, making it a standout representation of the album's theme of longing.
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Love Is What Stays — The title track serves as a culmination of the album’s exploration of love and loss, featuring complex harmonies that deepen its emotional impact.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid vocal performances and arrangements but lacks a cohesive flow due to repeated themes.
What we noticed
- Murphy's vocals are often layered with rich harmonies and intricate arrangements that shift between smooth ballads and more upbeat sections.
- The running time is extended by the inclusion of multiple reprises of 'Stolen Moments', which creates a reflective atmosphere but may disrupt the flow for some listeners.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- soothing late-night listening experience
- reflective moments of solitude
- rich vocal harmonies for relaxation
- patient explorations of love themes
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party tracks
- prefer shorter, punchier songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Love Is What Stays' was released in 2007, Mark Murphy was a seasoned jazz vocalist with a career spanning over five decades. This album came after his acclaimed works in the 1990s and early 2000s, showcasing his enduring artistry and ability to reinterpret classic standards for a contemporary audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carmen McRae· Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Stolen Moments 2:40
- 2 Angel Eyes 8:06
- 3 My Foolish Heart 5:14
- 4 So Doggone Lonesome 4:51
- 5 What If 7:18
- 6 The Interview 5:41
- 7 Once Upon a Summertime 5:33
- 8 Stolen Moments (1st reprise) 1:03
- 9 Love Is What Stays 6:41
- 10 Stolen Moments (2nd reprise) 1:22
- 11 Too Late Now 7:54
- 12 Blue Cell Phone 3:04
- 13 Did I Ever Really Live 4:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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