What makes Talkin' 'Bout You by Diane Schuur notable?

This album played a crucial role in further elevating Schuur's profile within the jazz community, featuring a mix of well-known covers and original songs that showcased her vocal prowess. The album received positive critical reception and helped to establish her as a significant figure in vocal jazz, contributing to the genre's resurgence in popularity during the late 1980s. Talkin' 'Bout You was Diane Schuur's third album, released in 1988 after her breakthrough success with 1986's Timeless. At this point in her career, Schuur was solidifying her reputation as a prominent jazz vocalist, known for her ability to infuse classic jazz with contemporary flair.

Who is Talkin' 'Bout You for?

Talkin' 'Bout You works well if you're into steady pacing with emotional depth, vibrant vocals for joyful moments and for afternoon relaxation.

How many songs are on Talkin' 'Bout You?

Talkin' 'Bout You has 11 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Talkin' 'Bout You

Diane Schuur · 1988

44 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of jazz standards and original compositions showcasing Schuur's powerful, emotive vocals against rich instrumentation.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Talkin’ ’Bout You — The title track stands out with its infectious energy and demonstrates Schuur's dynamic vocal range, making it an immediate highlight of the album.
→
Cry Me a River — Schuur’s rendition of this classic showcases her ability to convey deep emotion through nuanced phrasing and powerful vocal delivery.
→
Louisiana Sunday Afternoon — This track blends jazz with a sense of nostalgia, highlighting Schuur's storytelling abilities and the warmth of her vocal style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

56 /100

Foothills

Higher than 47% of albums we've rated

The album features strong vocal performances and solid arrangements but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature intricate instrumental arrangements, with prominent piano and brass sections that complement Schuur's vocals without overshadowing them.

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: 6/10
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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing with emotional depth
vibrant vocals for joyful moments
for afternoon relaxation
gradual resolution through heartfelt melodies

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer short standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Talkin' 'Bout You was Diane Schuur's third album, released in 1988 after her breakthrough success with 1986's Timeless. At this point in her career, Schuur was solidifying her reputation as a prominent jazz vocalist, known for her ability to infuse classic jazz with contemporary flair.
Stylistic neighbors: Cassandra Wilson· Nina Simone· Patrice Rushen