Entry 862 - Billy Strayhorn - The Peaceful Side

Style: Jazz

Primary Emotions/Themes: A collection of ditties that remind me of walking through a park on a sunny afternoon

Thoughts: Billy Strayhorn is a name that I've heard multiple times, but never really looked into his work before this. I found that he worked closely with Duke Ellington - in fact all of his records outside of The Peaceful Side were done with Duke on piano. At least I know he keeps good company.

The Peaceful Side of Billy Stayhorn is a collection of piano pieces with minimal accompaniments. Sometimes there will be some vocals, other times an upright bass, but for a vast majority of the album the piano is the star of the show. 

Stayhorn's style is elegance derived from simplicity. It's as much about what he plays as what he does not play. He never truly goes off on a tour de force showcasing his extensive chops. He prefers to lay low and let the piano speak for itself. 

The notes chosen at any given moment fit so well with the overall theme of the album that it's hard not to get lost in them. I've read often that this is considered a melancholy piece (Passion Flower certainly is), but it has a different effect on me. To me it feels more like a collection of songs that are meant to evoke nostalgia, or peaceful memories. 

The opening song Lush Life gives me the feeling of walking through a sun filled park on a beautiful summer evening. This continues throughout the album in various degrees. Some songs feel like they belong in a lounge setting (Take the A Train), others feel a bit more direct and perhaps even a little ominous (Strange Feeling). 

No matter what direction Mr. Stayhorn takes the song, he's always in absolute control of the piano. He has clearly mastered the instrument and it does his utmost bidding. The recording on here feels dated, like it was recorded in the 40s or 50s, but that only adds to the charm. The recording being of limited quality along with the masterful performance put on by Billy makes this one that I'm going to have in my collection for ages.

Written July 1st 2024