What makes Who Used to Dance by Abbey Lincoln notable?

This album is significant for its exploration of themes such as love and nostalgia, marking a noteworthy chapter in Lincoln's discography. It received critical acclaim, including a feature in JazzTimes, emphasizing her innovative approach to jazz music that resonated with both old and new audiences. Lincoln's work in this album also contributed to the resurgence of interest in jazz among younger listeners during the late 1990s. By 1997, Abbey Lincoln was an established jazz vocalist known for her unique vocal style and powerful lyrics. 'Who Used to Dance' was released during a prolific period in her career, following the critically acclaimed album 'A Turtle's Dream' from 1989. This album further solidified her status as an influential artist who blended social consciousness with artistic expression.

How many songs are on Who Used to Dance?

Who Used to Dance has 9 tracks, running approximately 61 minutes.

Who Used to Dance

Abbey Lincoln · 1997

61 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A soulful blend of jazz and spoken word, layered with poignant reflections on love and loss.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Who Used to Dance — The title track serves as a haunting reflection on lost joy and memories, showcasing Lincoln's ability to weave narrative into her music.
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Love Has Gone Away — This song features a poignant arrangement that highlights Lincoln’s emotive vocal delivery, encapsulating the themes of heartbreak and longing present throughout the album.
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Mr. Tambourine Man — Lincoln's interpretation of this classic brings a fresh perspective, blending her jazz sensibilities with the folk essence of Dylan's original while capturing a sense of yearning.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz and spoken word effectively but lacks strong cohesion in its sequencing.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate a slow, reflective tempo, creating a meditative atmosphere throughout the record.

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

Tracklist

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

1 Love Has Gone Away 7:36
2 Who Used to Dance 9:40
3 Love Lament 7:11
4 Mr. Tambourine Man 6:53
5 When Autumn Sings 4:08
6 Love What You Doin’ 8:25
7 Street of Dreams 6:33
8 I Sing a Song 5:48
9 The River 4:59

What to play next

Listen next

Wholly Earth

1998

Go back to

Abbey Lincoln: Warner Jazz: Les Incontournables

1996

Full Abbey Lincoln discography Artists like Abbey Lincoln

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata