Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz with Steely Dan
Marian McPartland · 2005
53 min · 16 tracks · jazz
A unique blend of jazz improvisation and Steely Dan's intricate melodies, creating a harmonious dialogue between two musical worlds.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Limbo Jazz Start here — This track exemplifies the playful spirit of the album, featuring lively rhythms and engaging improvisations that showcase McPartland's skillful piano work alongside Steely Dan's signature sound.
-
→
Josie — In this rendition of the beloved Steely Dan classic, McPartland’s interpretation adds depth through nuanced phrasing, revealing new layers to an already familiar melody.
-
→
Mood Indigo — McPartland's take on this jazz standard infuses it with a fresh energy; her emotive playing breathes new life into the piece while maintaining its original melancholy.
-
→
Things Ain’t What They Used to Be — This track captures the essence of both artists' styles, blending thoughtful lyrics with rich instrumentation and showcasing the seamless interaction between McPartland and the band.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album merges jazz improvisation with Steely Dan's melodies, creating a unique yet cohesive listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features extended improvisational sections where McPartland's piano interacts fluidly with the guitar and vocals of Steely Dan members.
- Each track includes interludes of conversation that provide context and insight into the music, breaking up the instrumental flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
- intimate conversations between tracks
- melodic improvisation with subtle twists
- reflective moments of exploration
- engaging flow with varied pacing
Maybe skip if you
- fast-paced, high-energy experiences
- standalone tracks lacking connection
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases McPartland's continued vitality through collaboration in her later career.
- Career context
- Released in 2005, this album marks a significant collaboration during Marian McPartland's later career, well after she established herself as a prominent jazz pianist and radio host. By this time, she had built a legacy that included over five decades of performances and recordings, making this collaborative effort with the iconic rock-jazz fusion band Steely Dan a noteworthy intersection of genres.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bill Evans· Cecil Taylor· Chick Corea
Tracklist
- 1 [conversation] 1:38
- 2 Limbo Jazz Start here 2:42
- 3 [conversation] 5:07
- 4 Josie 3:50
- 5 [conversation] 3:06
- 6 Mood Indigo 3:07
- 7 [conversation] 2:41
- 8 Star Eyes 3:19
- 9 [conversation] 3:38
- 10 Hesitation Blues 3:26
- 11 [conversation] 5:17
- 12 Things Ain’t What They Used to Be 3:46
- 13 [conversation] 1:41
- 14 Chain Lightning 4:44
- 15 [conversation] 1:50
- 16 Black Friday 3:30
What to play next
Piano Jazz: McPartland/Costello
2005
Continues the piano jazz theme with a fresh collaboration, maintaining engaging improvisation.
Windows
2004
Sets up the listener with a rich piano-centric experience leading into the current album.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.