Marian McPartland - After Dark

terrystorch

Review by Terry Storch

After Dark by Marian McPartland: A Jazz Gem That Still Hits Hard Let’s cut to the chase—Marian McPartland’s After Dark is one damn cool record. Released back in ‘56 on Capitol Records, this album doesn’t just sit there collecting dust like some old relic; it punches you right in the soul with its mix of Dixieland swagger, Cool Jazz chill, and Easy Listening vibes. And yeah, it’s got that vintage US/UK jazz thing going on, but trust me, this ain’t your grandma’s elevator music. This is the real deal. First off, let’s talk about "Royal Garden Blues." Damn, this track smacks. It opens with a bassline from Bill Crow so smooth you’d think he invented laid-back. Then Joe Morello jumps in on drums, keeping things tight but loose enough to make you wanna grab a drink and nod along. By the time McPartland lays into those piano keys, you’re hooked. The whole thing feels like walking into a smoky club where everyone knows what they’re doing—and doing it better than anyone else. You don’t forget a tune like this because it’s not trying too hard to impress. It just is. Confidence like that? Rare as hell. Then there’s “Falling In Love With Love,” which flips the script entirely. Here, McPartland slows things down, letting her piano work feel more like a late-night confession than a show-off session. Betty Glamann’s harp sneaks in halfway through (yeah, harp in jazz—don’t act surprised), adding this dreamy texture that makes you wonder if love really does hit different after midnight. It’s one of those tracks that sticks with you long after the needle lifts, maybe because it feels honest. Like she’s telling you something personal, even though she’s playing an instrument. The crew behind this album deserves mad props too. Lucien Schmit’s cello adds unexpected depth, and Margaret Ross’ harpwork on other cuts keeps things interesting. Hell, even Burt Goldblatt’s photography for the cover nails the vibe: dark, moody, mysterious. Everything fits together like pieces of a puzzle you didn’t know were missing. So why does After Dark matter today? Because it’s proof that good music doesn’t need gimmicks or trends to stay relevant. Sure, it came out over half a century ago, but slap this on your turntable, and suddenly Spotify playlists sound kinda weak. Maybe that’s why people still dig it—because when you hear McPartland tickle those ivories, you realize how much modern music skimps on heart. And here’s the kicker: listening to this album made me miss something I never had—a time when jazz ruled the airwaves and life felt simpler. Or maybe messier. Either way, After Dark reminds you that sometimes, the best nights are the ones spent in dimly lit rooms with killer tunes spinning in the background. Now go find yourself a copy before someone else snags it.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: marian-mcpartland-after-dark.zip
  • MP3 size: 76 mb
  • FLAC size: 1145.7 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
If I Love Again
For All We Know
Struttin' With Some Barbecue
I Could Write a Book
Sand In My Shoes
Everything But You
Royal Garden Blues
Chelsea Bridge
Easy Come, Easy Go
I'll Be Around
I Could Write A Book
Struttin' With Some Barbeque
Sand in My Shoes
I'll Be Around
Falling In Love With Love
Falling in Love With Love
Struttin' With Some Barbecue
Poor Little Rich Girl
Royal Garden

Images

lataa albumi Marian McPartland - After Dark
descargar álbum Marian McPartland - After Dark
Album herunterladen Marian McPartland - After Dark
ladda ner album Marian McPartland - After Dark
télécharger l'album Marian McPartland - After Dark
baixar álbum Marian McPartland - After Dark

Catalog Numbers

  • T 699, T-699
  • LC 6828
  • T 699
  • EAP 3-699

Labels

Capitol Records

Listen online

  • online luisteren
  • ouvir online
  • escuchar en línea
  • online anhören
  • ascolta in linea
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • lyssna på nätet
  • lytte på nettet
  • écouter en ligne

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Mono
  • 10"
  • Album
  • 7"
  • 45 RPM
  • 12"
  • 33 ⅓ RPM

Companies

RoleCompany
Manufactured ByCapitol Records, Inc.
Pressed ByCapitol Records Pressing Plant, Scranton
Record Company

Credits

RoleCredit
BassBill Crow
CelloLucian Schmit
DrumsJoe Morello
HarpBetty Glamann (tracks: A2, A5, B1, A4), Margaret Ross (tracks: B3, B5, A1)
Photography ByBurt Goldblatt
PianoMarian McPartland

Notes

UK issue of Capitol T-699. Laminated flip-back sleeve

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): T1-699-D2 ☖
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): T2-699-D2 ☖
  • Matrix / Runout (Side 1): OT1 699-1N
  • Matrix / Runout (Side 2): OT2 699-1N

About Marian McPartland

American jazz pianist, composer, author and broadcaster. Born: 21st March 1918 in Slough, Buckinghamshire, UK Died: 20th August, 2013 at her home on Long Island in Port Washington, New York, USA UK-born and based in America after immigrating with her husband, the trumpeter in 1945. They met in Belgium while she was there entertaining the troops and he was stationed in Europe as a GI for the US army. She launched her own label, in 1969, won a Grammy in 2004 and was appointed an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2010. She is best known for her Peabody Award-winning NPR series Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz, which was widely syndicated across the U.S. and ran for over 30 years, where she interviewed and joined her wide range of guests playing duets. She was also a talented author, contributing to Downbeat and also publishing the book of musical portraits All in Good Time.

Real Name

    • Margareth Marian McPartland (nee Turner)

Name Vars

  • M. McPartland
  • M.McPartland
  • Marian
  • Marian Mc Parland
  • Marian Mc Partland
  • Marian McParland
  • Marion Macpartland
  • Marion McPartland
  • Mc Partland
  • McPartland

Aliases

  • Marian Page

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that Marian McPartland's 1956 album *After Dark* features not one, but two harpists? Betty Glamann and Margaret Ross added their magical touch to different tracks. It’s pretty rare for a jazz album to include the harp, but McPartland made it work beautifully. The combo of cool jazz vibes and those delicate harp notes gives the album a unique charm. Plus, with legends like Bill Crow on bass and Joe Morello on drums, this record was bound to be special.