Poll Winners Three!
Barney Kessel · 1960
39 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of intricate guitar work and smooth melodies that captures the essence of early 1960s jazz.
Top tracks — play these first
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Soft Winds — This track opens the album with a beautifully melodic line that showcases Kessel's fluid guitar style, setting the tone for the entire record.
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Mack the Knife — Kessel's rendition of this classic tune infuses it with a fresh swing feel, highlighting his ability to reinterpret well-known standards while maintaining their core essence.
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(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over — In this track, Kessel's delicate phrasing and emotive playing create an intimate atmosphere that underscores the song's wistful lyrics and melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalKessel's intricate guitar work and varied arrangements create a solid jazz album that rewards attentive listening.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of intricate guitar solos that often lead the melodies, supported by a rhythm section that maintains a steady swing.
- Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between the guitar and other instruments, creating dynamic interplay throughout the record.
- 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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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
- swinging melodies for social gatherings
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- playful improvisation with lively rhythms
- easygoing background for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking long, immersive pieces
- prefer high-energy, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1960, Poll Winners Three! marks Barney Kessel's continued exploration of jazz after his acclaimed Poll Winners album from 1957. At this point in his career, Kessel was establishing himself as a leading figure in the jazz guitar scene, showcasing his virtuosic technique and unique interpretations of popular standards.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Django Reinhardt· Stochelo Rosenberg· Joscho Stephan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Soft Winds 4:13
- 2 Crisis 3:49
- 3 The Little Rhumba 3:42
- 4 Easy Living 3:22
- 5 It's All Right With Me 3:41
- 6 Mack the Knife 3:53
- 7 Raincheck 3:07
- 8 Minor Mystery 5:50
- 9 (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over 4:36
- 10 I Hear Music 2:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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