Play It Cool
Lea DeLaria · 2001
51 min · 11 tracks · jazz
Jazz-inflected interpretations blend playful humor with heartfelt emotion, showcasing Lea DeLaria's vibrant vocal versatility.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cool — This track stands out for its modern reinterpretation of the classic number, infusing it with a playful edge that highlights DeLaria's theatrical flair.
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All That Jazz — DeLaria's rendition of this iconic song demonstrates her ability to balance humor with heartfelt emotion, capturing the essence of the original while adding her own spin.
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Losing My Mind — This track showcases DeLaria’s vocal range and emotional depth as she navigates themes of love and longing with an evocative delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
DeLaria's debut showcases her vocal range and humor, blending jazz standards with personal flair.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate playful spoken interludes that blend humor with musical performance, enhancing the overall character of the album.
- The instrumentation varies throughout, with some tracks featuring a full band while others are more stripped down, highlighting DeLaria's vocal versatility.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- playful humor with emotional depth
- vibrant vocals for lively gatherings
- danceable rhythms for social settings
- engaging storytelling through song
- for celebratory moments
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer minimalistic soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2001, Play It Cool marked Lea DeLaria's debut album, establishing her as a prominent figure in the jazz scene. At this point in her career, she was transitioning from a successful stand-up comedy career to music, which allowed her unique voice to shine in new ways.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cassandra Wilson· Nina Simone· Kurt Elling
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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With Every Breath I Take
The narrative shifts from reflection to a direct declaration of devotion captivates with intensity and vulnerability.
This pivot adds weight to the emotional stakes, moving from introspection into a bold affirmation of commitment.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Ballad of Sweeney Todd 4:51
- 2 Cool 5:23
- 3 I've Got Your Number 4:51
- 4 With Every Breath I Take 3:17
- 5 All That Jazz 4:11
- 6 Life Has Been Good to Me 5:23
- 7 Welcome to My Party 3:24
- 8 Lowdown-Down 5:51
- 9 Once in a Lifetime 4:31
- 10 Losing My Mind 5:20
- 11 Straight to the Top 4:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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