Portrait of Carmen
Carmen McRae · 1968
33 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A sophisticated blend of jazz and pop, showcasing McRae's rich vocals and emotional depth across evocative arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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I'm Always Drunk in San Francisco Start here — This track opens the album with a playful yet poignant exploration of love and longing, setting the tone for McRae's emotive storytelling.
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Elusive Butterfly — McRae's interpretation of this classic showcases her unique phrasing and emotional depth, transforming it into a reflective meditation on unattainable dreams.
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I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do — This song highlights McRae's smooth vocal delivery against a lush arrangement, perfectly encapsulating the themes of love and uncertainty that permeate the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
McRae's blend of jazz and pop showcases her vocal prowess, though the album's cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate unexpected tempo shifts, such as 'Elusive Butterfly,' which transitions from a slow ballad to a more upbeat section.
- The final track, 'Wonder Why,' ends with a lingering vocal phrase that fades out, creating an introspective conclusion.
- 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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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
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
- lyrical storytelling with elegance
- for relaxed afternoons
- expressive vocals for emotional depth
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Marks a transition to a more experimental phase in McRae's sound.
- Career context
- Released in 1968, 'Portrait of Carmen' marked Carmen McRae's transition into a more experimental phase following her commercial success with earlier albums. This album came after her acclaimed work in the 1960s, positioning her as a pivotal figure in the jazz scene while exploring more contemporary themes and sounds.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Ella Fitzgerald
Tracklist
- 1 I'm Always Drunk in San Francisco Start here 3:01
- 2 Elusive Butterfly 2:59
- 3 Day by Day 2:25
- 4 When You Get Around to Me 2:54
- 5 Walking Happy 2:33
- 6 My Very Own Person 2:55
- 7 Ask Any Woman 2:58
- 8 Boy, Do I Have a Surprise for You 3:21
- 9 Loads of Love 3:54
- 10 I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do 4:29
- 11 Wonder Why 2:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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