With a Song in My Heart
John Pizzarelli · 2008
43 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A warm blend of classic jazz standards infused with Pizzarelli's signature guitar stylings and smooth vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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With a Song in My Heart Start here — The title track beautifully encapsulates the album's spirit, showcasing Pizzarelli's deft guitar work and smooth vocals that breathe new life into the classic standard.
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I Have Dreamed — Pizzarelli transforms this lesser-known Rodgers and Hammerstein piece into an intimate exploration of longing, highlighted by his expressive phrasing and melodic sensitivity.
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The Lady Is a Tramp — This track stands out for its playful interpretation, where Pizzarelli's lighthearted vocal delivery and swinging arrangement invite listeners to revisit the song with delight.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Pizzarelli's blend of guitar and vocals on jazz standards showcases solid craftsmanship but lacks significant impact.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of guitar as the primary instrument, with Pizzarelli's vocals interspersed throughout the tracks.
- Each track is arranged to highlight both instrumental solos and vocal sections, often transitioning smoothly between the two.
- The tempo varies slightly across the tracks, but most maintain a relaxed swing feel characteristic of classic jazz standards.
- 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
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
- steady pacing for relaxed evenings
- warm melodies for intimate gatherings
- engaging vocals for sing-alongs
- smooth background for focused work
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy tracks
- want quick, standalone hits
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Pizzarelli's artistic growth and received critical acclaim.
- Career context
- With a Song in My Heart is John Pizzarelli's sixth studio album, released in 2008, following his successful recordings that established him as a prominent figure in contemporary jazz. By this point in his career, he had developed a reputation for revitalizing jazz standards with a fresh perspective, often blending traditional elements with modern sensibilities.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bucky Pizzarelli· Joe Pass· Pat Metheny
Tracklist
- 1 With a Song in My Heart Start here 3:50
- 2 This Can't Be Love 2:28
- 3 I Like to Recognize the Tune 4:36
- 4 It's Easy to Remember 4:14
- 5 Johnny One Note 2:59
- 6 Nobody's Heart 4:13
- 7 Happy Talk 4:26
- 8 Mountain Greenery 2:47
- 9 I Have Dreamed 3:40
- 10 The Lady Is a Tramp 2:34
- 11 She Was Too Good to Me 4:36
- 12 You've Got to Be Carefully Taught 2:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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