Once Upon a Summertime
Blossom Dearie · 1959
35 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A delicate blend of jazz and pop, characterized by Blossom Dearie's soft vocals and playful piano arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Once Upon a Summertime — This title track encapsulates Dearie's enchanting vocal style and lyrical storytelling, making it a signature piece that defines her artistic identity.
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Tea for Two — Dearie's playful interpretation of this classic showcases her whimsical vocal delivery and witty phrasing, highlighting her ability to breathe new life into familiar material.
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Surrey With the Fringe on Top — Her rendition of this song features intricate piano work paired with expressive vocals, illustrating her skillful balance between musicality and lyrical nuance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Blossom Dearie's unique vocal and piano interplay, solidifying her place in jazz.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of soft piano arrangements that complement Dearie's delicate vocal style throughout.
- Each track typically maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
- Several songs include playful call-and-response sections between the vocals and piano, enhancing the conversational quality of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- steady melodic exploration
- short, engaging listening sessions
- whimsical and playful vibes
- contemplative afternoon ambiance
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Once Upon a Summertime is Blossom Dearie's fourth studio album, released in 1959 during her growing prominence in the jazz scene. Following her successful albums such as 'Blossom Dearie Sings Rootin' Songs' (1957), this record solidified her unique style and cemented her role as an influential figure in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan· Nancy Wilson
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Once Upon a Summertime
The moment shifts from nostalgic reflection to vivid imagery of summer's beauty, contrasting light-heartedness with deeper sentiments.
This transition enhances the emotional depth of the song, allowing listeners to engage with both its whimsy and underlying melancholy.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Tea for Two 3:20
- 2 Surrey With the Fringe on Top 4:16
- 3 Moonlight Saving Time 1:59
- 4 It Amazes Me 4:16
- 5 If I Were a Bell 3:05
- 6 We're Together 2:02
- 7 Teach Me Tonight 2:38
- 8 Once Upon a Summertime 2:43
- 9 Down With Love 1:39
- 10 Manhattan 4:16
- 11 Doop-Doo-De-Doop (A Doodlin' Song) 2:15
- 12 Our Love Is Here to Stay 3:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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