That Old Black Magic
Keely Smith · 1965
27 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A rich blend of traditional jazz standards delivered with Keely Smith's lush, emotive vocals and dynamic arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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That Old Black Magic — The title track exemplifies Smith's mastery of mood and phrasing, blending a sultry delivery with an orchestral arrangement that highlights her vocal prowess.
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I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues — Smith's interpretation of this classic showcases her ability to convey deep emotion through her voice, effectively capturing the essence of blues.
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Autumn Leaves — This track stands out due to its haunting arrangement and Smith's poignant vocal expression, creating a beautiful and reflective atmosphere that resonates deeply.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Smith's strong vocals and varied arrangements make this a solid jazz album, though it doesn't stand out significantly in its genre.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate dynamic arrangements that shift between lush orchestration and more stripped-down instrumentation.
- The sequencing alternates between upbeat numbers and slower ballads, creating a varied emotional landscape throughout the record.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- sultry evenings with cocktails
- playful sing-along moments
- nostalgic charm in every note
- short bursts of joy
- captivating vocals for relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking lengthy immersive experiences
- prefer heavy beats and intensity
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1965, That Old Black Magic was a pivotal moment in Keely Smith's career, following her successful collaborations with Louis Prima. By this time, she had established herself as a solo artist, transitioning from her earlier role as a partner in a duo to leading her own projects, showcasing her ability to interpret classic jazz standards.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan· Nancy Wilson
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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That Old Black Magic
The bridge features a shift where the lyrics evoke vivid imagery of enchantment and longing.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I’ve Got the World on a String 2:23
- 2 When You’re Smiling / The Sheik of Araby 1:42
- 3 I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues 3:25
- 4 Birth of the Blues 2:47
- 5 Oh, Baby 2:22
- 6 That Old Black Magic 2:43
- 7 Just a Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody 3:32
- 8 Autumn Leaves 3:00
- 9 Buona Sera 2:51
- 10 Pennies From Heaven 2:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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