What makes The Way I Feel by Phil Upchurch notable?

This album is significant for its seamless integration of jazz and blues elements, showcasing Upchurch's versatility as both a guitarist and vocalist. It garnered critical acclaim and helped solidify his status in the music industry, paving the way for his future collaborations and solo projects. Released in 1970, The Way I Feel was Phil Upchurch's first solo album after establishing himself as a prominent session guitarist. By this point, he had worked with notable artists such as Curtis Mayfield and Roberta Flack, positioning him well within the burgeoning soul and jazz scenes.

How many songs are on The Way I Feel?

The Way I Feel has 10 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

The Way I Feel

Phil Upchurch · 1970

33 min · 10 tracks · blues

A vibrant blend of blues and jazz infused with soulful guitar and smooth, emotive vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Way I Feel — The title track encapsulates the album's emotional core with its reflective lyrics and soulful melody, highlighting Upchurch's expressive vocal delivery.
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Wild Wood — This track stands out with its catchy groove and playful instrumentation, demonstrating Upchurch's ability to blend rhythmic blues with jazz sensibilities.
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Time for Love (Is Any Time) — With its romantic undertones and smooth arrangement, this song showcases Upchurch's knack for crafting memorable melodies that resonate deeply.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album blends blues and jazz effectively but lacks a strong cohesive flow throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature a steady groove with prominent guitar solos, while the fourth track introduces a slower tempo and more introspective lyrics.
Several tracks incorporate jazz elements through complex chord progressions and syncopated rhythms, particularly in the instrumental sections.
The album closes with two tracks that shift to a more experimental sound, utilizing effects on the guitar and varied vocal delivery.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Time for Love (Is Any Time)

A poignant moment where the writing shifts from questioning the existence of love to affirming its timelessness in a melodic resolution.

This structural shift emphasizes the journey from uncertainty to acceptance, creating a powerful emotional arc within the song.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Peter, Peter 3:34
2 Wild Wood 3:02
3 Time for Love (Is Any Time) 3:48
4 The Way I Feel 3:20
5 Bacn' Chips 2:49
6 You Don't Have to Know 4:06
7 I Don't Know 2:48
8 Softly 2:33
9 Pretty Blue 2:41
10 Electrik Head 5:03

What to play next

Listen next

Darkness, Darkness

1972

Go back to

Feeling Blue

1968

Full Phil Upchurch discography Artists like Phil Upchurch

blues jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata