Something to Swing About
Carmen McRae · 1959
29 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A lush tapestry of jazz standards, woven with Carmen McRae's sultry vocals and sophisticated phrasing.
Top tracks — play these first
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Three Little Words Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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That's for Me — This track showcases McRae's ability to infuse emotional depth into lyrics while maintaining an upbeat tempo, making it a standout within the album.
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(How Little It Matters) How Little We Know — In this song, McRae's nuanced phrasing and expressive delivery highlight the poignant theme of fleeting romance, encapsulating the album's overall sentiment.
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Alone Together — McRae’s interpretation here emphasizes vulnerability and loneliness, with her voice elegantly navigating the melancholic melody that resonates deeply.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
McRae's sophisticated vocal delivery and lush arrangements create a cohesive jazz experience.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush orchestration, with strings and horns complementing McRae's vocals throughout.
- Each track is arranged to highlight McRae's phrasing, often allowing her voice to linger on key notes before transitioning.
- The final track ends with a gradual decrescendo, creating a sense of closure that resonates with the preceding material.
- 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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8/10
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
- concise melodic storytelling journey
- vibrant warmth for cozy evenings
- playful charm during gatherings
- for intimate moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, sprawling albums
- seek high-energy dance tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified McRae's reputation and contributed to her commercial success.
- Career context
- Released in 1959, 'Something to Swing About' was Carmen McRae's fourth studio album, following her breakthrough with 'Carmen Sings Monk.' By this time, she had established herself as a leading jazz vocalist, recognized for her interpretative depth and unique vocal style that would continue to influence future generations.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Ella Fitzgerald
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I See Your Face Before Me
The narrative shifts from reminiscing about love to a moment of painful yearning where the singer reveals their longing for a lost partner.
This transition captures a profound sense of nostalgia and loss, emphasizing how memory intertwines with emotion in McRae's storytelling.
Tracklist
- 1 Three Little Words Start here 1:54
- 2 I Couldn't Care Less 2:26
- 3 That's for Me 2:49
- 4 (How Little It Matters) How Little We Know 2:30
- 5 You Leave Me Breathless 2:40
- 6 It's Love 2:58
- 7 Love Is a Simple Thing 2:06
- 8 Comes Love 2:46
- 9 A Sleepin' Bee 2:29
- 10 I See Your Face Before Me 2:23
- 11 Alone Together 2:21
- 12 Falling in Love With Love 2:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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