What makes Skylark by Paul Desmond notable?

Skylark is notable for its critical acclaim, receiving praise for Desmond's lyrical playing and innovative arrangements. The album helped to further establish Desmond's reputation as a significant figure in jazz, influencing subsequent generations of musicians who admired his melodic approach. By the release of Skylark in 1974, Paul Desmond was already well-known as the alto saxophonist from the Dave Brubeck Quartet. This album marked his first solo project after the quartet disbanded, showcasing his distinct style away from the group's influence and solidifying his place in jazz as a leader in his own right.

How many songs are on Skylark?

Skylark has 9 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Skylark

Paul Desmond · 1974

53 min · 9 tracks · jazz

Lush melodies intertwine with smooth improvisations, creating a serene exploration of jazz's emotional depth and artistry.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Take Ten — This track exemplifies Desmond's signature sound, featuring a relaxed tempo that allows for intricate melodic lines and expressive improvisation.
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Skylark — Desmond's rendition of this classic showcases his ability to evoke deep emotion through subtle phrasing and rich tonal quality.
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Indian Summer — This track highlights Desmond's seamless integration of harmony and melody, capturing the essence of nostalgia with its gentle flow.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

Desmond's lyrical saxophone and rich arrangements create a serene jazz experience, though some tracks feel repetitive.

What we noticed

The first four tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the fifth track introduces a more reflective tone with its slower tempo.
Desmond's alto saxophone leads throughout, often accompanied by lush string arrangements that enhance the melodic lines.
Three of the nine tracks are alternate takes, which provide slight variations on previously established themes but do not significantly alter the overall experience.

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: 5/10

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 Take Ten 6:08
2 Romance de Amor 9:40
3 Was a Sunny Day 4:52
4 Music for a While 6:45
5 Skylark 5:21
6 Indian Summer 4:00
7 Music for a While (alternate take) 5:56
8 Skylark (alternate take) 5:39
9 Indian Summer (alternate take) 5:28

What to play next

Listen next

Pure Desmond

1975

Go back to

Bridge over Troubled Water

1970

Full Paul Desmond discography Artists like Paul Desmond

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata