Upon a Time (John Abercrombie album)
John Abercrombie · 1991
70 min · 16 tracks · jazz fusion
A fluid blend of jazz-inflected melodies and intricate guitar work that paints rich emotional landscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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My Scottish Heart Start here — This track opens the album with a haunting melody that showcases Abercrombie's signature guitar tone, setting an introspective mood for the collection.
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Vincent — A poignant tribute inspired by Vincent van Gogh, featuring delicate guitar lines that evoke deep emotion and reflect Abercrombie's mastery of storytelling through music.
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Chelsea Bridge — Abercrombie's interpretation of this classic standard reveals his unique harmonic sensibility and improvisational skills, perfectly blending tradition and innovation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong guitar work and improvisation but lacks a cohesive flow across its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build on intricate guitar solos, while the second half introduces more atmospheric and ambient textures.
- The album features extended improvisational sections, allowing for exploration within each piece rather than strict adherence to traditional song structures.
- 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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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
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
- introspective afternoon listening
- dynamic journey with varied pacing
- lyrical melodies for reflection
- gentle wave-like transitions
- quiet moments for deep thought
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a shift towards more lyrical and innovative guitar techniques.
- Themes
- Scottish landscapes· Vincent van Gogh tribute· introspective melodies
- Career context
- Upon a Time marked John Abercrombie's sixth studio album, released in 1991 during a period of artistic exploration after his previous album, Open Land, which showcased his shift towards more lyrical expressions. At this stage in his career, Abercrombie was solidifying his reputation within the contemporary jazz scene while collaborating with notable musicians like bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Peter Erskine.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pat Metheny· Bill Frisell· Larry Coryell
Tracklist
- 1 My Scottish Heart Start here 5:30
- 2 Muchacha Doranda 5:37
- 3 Upon a Time 3:10
- 4 In the Woods 6:10
- 5 Demi-Saison 3:38
- 6 Baby Lucille 5:56
- 7 Vincent 8:23
- 8 Count 2:53
- 9 Chuck Man Rivers 2:39
- 10 Camel Walk 4:21
- 11 Play It Again 2:50
- 12 Moonfire 2:30
- 13 Gypsy Wand Song 5:56
- 14 McNabb the Crab 2:19
- 15 Chelsea Bridge 5:48
- 16 Lullaby of the Leaves 2:34
What to play next
Witchcraft (John Abercrombie album)
1991
Continues the emotional depth with intricate guitar work and rich melodies.
Animato
1990
Sets the stage with similar experimental jazz tones and fluidity.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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