Take Five – Recorded Live At Basin Street East
Carmen McRae · 1965
39 min · 12 tracks · jazz
Carmen McRae's deep, sultry vocals intertwine with intricate jazz instrumentation in a captivating live performance setting.
Top tracks — play these first
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When I Was Young Start here — This track showcases McRae's emotive vocal delivery and her ability to convey deep longing through subtle phrasing, making it a standout moment on the album.
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There'll Be No Tomorrow — The somber tone and heartfelt lyrics allow McRae to explore themes of love and loss, displaying her skill in storytelling through music.
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Take Five — 'Take Five' serves as a highlight not only for its iconic rhythm but also for McRae's playful interaction with the audience, showcasing her charisma.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends McRae's vocals with strong jazz instrumentation, creating a lively yet cohesive live experience.
What we noticed
- Several tracks showcase extended instrumental solos, allowing the band to explore complex harmonies and rhythms.
- The live recording captures the energy of the venue, with audience reactions integrated into the performance, enhancing the overall atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- steady mid-tempo groove
- vibrant live performance energy
- intimate setting for reflection
- intricate improvisational moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced tracks
- avoid live recordings
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This live album solidified McRae's reputation as a leading jazz vocalist.
- Career context
- By the time 'Take Five – Recorded Live At Basin Street East' was released in 1965, Carmen McRae was already an established jazz vocalist known for her unique interpretations. This album followed her previous success with 'Carmen Sings Monk' and showcased her evolving artistry as she continued to gain recognition within the jazz community.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Ella Fitzgerald
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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There'll Be No Tomorrow
As the narrative shifts from hope to resignation, the emotional weight intensifies with each line that reflects on fleeting moments.
Tracklist
- 1 When I Was Young Start here 2:55
- 2 In Your Own Sweet Way 3:03
- 3 Too Young for Growing Old 3:03
- 4 Ode to a Cowboy 3:06
- 5 There'll Be No Tomorrow 4:42
- 6 Melanctha 4:48
- 7 It's a Raggy Waltz 2:38
- 8 Oh So Blue 2:38
- 9 Lord, Lord 5:30
- 10 Travellin' Blues 2:59
- 11 Take Five 2:21
- 12 Easy as You Go 1:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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