What does Mr. Shing-A-Ling sound like?

A vibrant fusion of soul jazz and bebop that grooves with infectious rhythms and expressive melodies. Rooted in bebop and soul jazz. Start with "Ode to Billie Joe".

Is Mr. Shing-A-Ling a good place to start with Lou Donaldson?

Yes, Mr. Shing-A-Ling is recommended as a starting point for new Lou Donaldson listeners. A vibrant fusion of soul jazz and bebop that grooves with infectious rhythms and expressive melodies. By 1967, Lou Donaldson was firmly established in the jazz scene, having released several notable albums since his debut in the late 1950s. 'Mr. Shing-A-Ling' followed his successful album 'Alligator Bogaloo' from 1967, marking a continuation of his exploration into soul jazz while refining his signature sound.

Who is Mr. Shing-A-Ling for?

Mr. Shing-A-Ling works well if you're into steady grooves for focused listening, intricate melodies for detail exploration and soulful warmth on quiet evenings.

How many songs are on Mr. Shing-A-Ling?

Mr. Shing-A-Ling has 5 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Mr. Shing-A-Ling

Lou Donaldson · 1967

37 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of soul jazz and bebop that grooves with infectious rhythms and expressive melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ode to Billie Joe Start here — This cover transforms Bobbie Gentry's classic into a soulful instrumental that highlights Donaldson's playful saxophone lines and deep emotional resonance.
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The Shadow of Your Smile — The arrangement gives a fresh take on this standard, allowing Donaldson's lyrical phrasing to shine amidst lush instrumentation and rich harmonies.
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Peepin' — With its extended runtime, this track showcases intricate improvisation and rhythmic interplay, epitomizing the album's adventurous spirit.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends soul jazz and bebop effectively, with strong melodies and rhythmic grooves throughout.

What we noticed

The album opens with a cover of 'Ode to Billie Joe', setting a soulful tone that carries through the subsequent tracks.
Each track features prominent, expressive melodies played by the saxophone, supported by tight rhythm sections that emphasize groove.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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

steady grooves for focused listening
intricate melodies for detail exploration
soulful warmth on quiet evenings
patient unfolding of musical themes

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced, upbeat tracks
seek short, standalone songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — The album achieved commercial success and showcased genre blending, enhancing Donaldson's recognition.
Themes: soulful improvisation· 1960s jazz scene· playful saxophone melodies
Career context: By 1967, Lou Donaldson was firmly established in the jazz scene, having released several notable albums since his debut in the late 1950s. 'Mr. Shing-A-Ling' followed his successful album 'Alligator Bogaloo' from 1967, marking a continuation of his exploration into soul jazz while refining his signature sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Horace Silver· Cannonball Adderley· Stan Getz