Sticks and Stones
Dave Grusin · 1988
58 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of contemporary jazz and orchestral elements, rich with melodic intricacies and rhythmic exploration.
Top tracks — play these first
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Birds With Long Legs Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Pico Pica — This track features an intricate interplay between piano and percussion, showcasing Grusin's ability to merge Latin rhythms with jazz influences seamlessly.
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River Song — The haunting melody of River Song exemplifies Grusin's lyrical piano style, creating an emotional landscape that resonates through its flowing harmonies.
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Good Ol' Boys — Originally part of the television series The Dukes of Hazzard, this rendition captures nostalgia while transforming the theme into a sophisticated jazz piece with rich instrumentation.
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Southern Wind — This track incorporates lush strings and smooth melodies, illustrating how Grusin blends traditional jazz with contemporary orchestrations to evoke a sense of place.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's fusion of jazz and orchestral elements creates a distinctive yet cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate arrangements that blend jazz instrumentation with orchestral strings, creating a lush soundscape.
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the latter half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- 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
- steady melodic explorations throughout
- evening relaxation with rich harmonies
- soothing background for creative work
- immersive listening for reflective moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, energetic tracks
- looking for standalone hits
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked Grusin's return to jazz and showcased his innovative sound, gaining wider recognition.
- Themes
- Latin jazz fusion· nostalgic television themes· orchestral landscapes
- Career context
- Released in 1988, Sticks and Stones marked Dave Grusin's return to instrumental jazz after his successful foray into film scoring. This album showcases his versatility as he blends jazz with orchestral arrangements, reflecting a mature phase in his career that followed the acclaimed score for The Firm.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chick Corea· Herbie Hancock· Brad Mehldau
Tracklist
- 1 Birds With Long Legs Start here 5:04
- 2 Pico Pica 4:57
- 3 Sailing at Night 4:19
- 4 River Song 5:13
- 5 Sticks and Stones 6:11
- 6 Glissade 5:18
- 7 Good Ol' Boys 7:30
- 8 This Little Pig's Got the Blues 5:30
- 9 Dog Heaven 4:52
- 10 Southern Wind 4:19
- 11 North-Tribal Step Dance 4:49
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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