The Dream
Mark Murphy · 1995
67 min · 15 tracks · jazz
A rich tapestry of jazz standards woven with Mark Murphy's expressive vocals and intimate arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Gone (Dedicated To Sarah Vaughan) — This track pays tribute to the legendary Sarah Vaughan, showcasing Murphy's ability to convey deep emotion through his phrasing and tonal richness. It exemplifies the album's blend of homage and personal interpretation.
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So Many Stars — Murphy's interpretation breathes new life into this classic, illustrating his skill in marrying lyrical storytelling with intricate melodic lines. The arrangement allows his voice to shine within a lush instrumental backdrop.
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Stairway To Paradise — This track highlights Murphy’s playful vocal delivery and dynamic range, making it a standout example of how he reinterprets familiar melodies with inventive phrasing and rhythmic variation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Murphy's expressive vocals and intricate arrangements create a rich exploration of jazz standards.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a slow build, layering Murphy's vocals over a lush instrumental backdrop.
- Each track is arranged to highlight Murphy's vocal phrasing, often featuring subtle shifts in tempo and dynamics.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections that allow for improvisation, creating a conversational feel between the musicians.
- The final track concludes with a gentle fade-out, leaving an impression of introspection and closure.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- contemplative late-night reflections
- emotional storytelling journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1995, Mark Murphy had established himself as a respected figure in the jazz world, producing a body of work that showcased his unique vocal style. 'The Dream' is positioned as a continuation of his exploration of jazz standards, following his 1992 album 'The Art of Conversation', which marked a resurgence in his career. This album further solidifies his legacy as an interpreter of classic songs while pushing the boundaries of jazz vocal performance.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carmen McRae· Ella Fitzgerald· Sarah Vaughan
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Since I Fell For You
A moment in the song sees the narrator shift from nostalgia to present longing, reflecting on love lost with poignant vulnerability.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Dream 4:27
- 2 Since I Fell For You 5:19
- 3 So Many Stars 4:28
- 4 Laura 3:43
- 5 This Is New 4:21
- 6 Sometimes When You're Lonely 4:55
- 7 Gone (Dedicated To Sarah Vaughan) 6:01
- 8 Estate 4:00
- 9 Down Here On The Ground 5:44
- 10 Hopeless (A Blue Girl In A Red Sunrise) 4:04
- 11 Stairway To Paradise 4:02
- 12 I See Your Face Before Me 4:32
- 13 All In Love Is Fair 3:17
- 14 We Can Try Love Again 3:54
- 15 When The World Was Young 4:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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