What makes Second Set by Cedar Walton notable?

Second Set is significant for its blend of traditional jazz elements with innovative improvisational techniques, earning critical acclaim within the jazz community. The album stands out for its arrangement of 'Blue Train,' which pays homage to John Coltrane while offering a fresh take that resonated with both critics and audiences, contributing to Walton's legacy as a leading pianist of his time. At the time of releasing Second Set in 1979, Cedar Walton was already an established figure in jazz, known for his work with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. This album came after several successful releases, marking a period where Walton began to solidify his reputation as a bandleader and composer, showcasing his unique style and contributions to the genre.

How many songs are on Second Set?

Second Set has 4 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Second Set

Cedar Walton

42 min · 4 tracks · jazz

A vibrant exploration of jazz with intricate melodies and rich improvisations that highlight the ensemble's synergy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Blue Train — This track serves as a tribute to John Coltrane's classic while showcasing Walton's powerful piano phrasing and the band's cohesive sound.
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I Didn't Know What Time It Was — The extended rendition highlights Walton's ability to weave complex harmonies and lyrical improvisation, emphasizing emotional depth through its elongated structure.
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The Sunday Suite — As a lengthy composition, it demonstrates Walton's skill in thematic development and orchestral arrangement within a jazz context, featuring multiple movements that engage listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and skilled improvisation, making it a solid entry in Walton's discography.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a strong melodic statement before transitioning into intricate solos that highlight each musician's skill.
The final track, 'The Theme,' serves as a concise wrap-up, contrasting the longer explorations of the previous pieces.

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

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Blue Train 8:48
2 I Didn't Know What Time It Was 13:10
3 The Sunday Suite 19:30
4 The Theme 0:53

What to play next

Listen next

Cedar's Blues

Full Cedar Walton discography Artists like Cedar Walton

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata