The Peaceful Side


The Peaceful Side is an album by pianist and composer Billy Strayhorn recorded in Paris in 1961 and originally released on United Artists Jazz in 1963, then reissued by Solid State in 1968 as The Peaceful Side of Billy Strayhorn.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow stated "This is a little-known and rather melancholy set, virtually Billy Strayhorn's only recording away from the world of Duke Ellington. The focus is totally on Strayhorn's piano throughout his interpretations of ten of his compositions... Strayhorn's melodic and concise playing is quite somber, peaceful in volume but filled with inner tension". On All About Jazz, Joel Roberts noted "This is a quiet, spare recording featuring just Strayhorn's piano with occasional accompaniment by bass, string quartet, or vocal chorus. Strayhorn brings out all the passion and melancholy of his own compostions, which are performed in much more relaxed tempos than we are used to hearing....It is a shame that Strayhorn did not record more, since he brought the same extraordinary musical intelligence and sophistication to his piano playing that he did to his composing".

Track listing

All compositions by Billy Strayhorn except as indicated
  1. " Lush Life" - 3:25
  2. "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'" - 2:49
  3. "Passion Flower" - 3:40
  4. "Take the "A" Train" - 3:14
  5. "Strange Feeling" - 3:38
  6. "Day Dream" - 4:01
  7. "Chelsea Bridge" - 3:15
  8. "Multi-Colored Blue" - 3:19
  9. "Something to Live For" - 2:59
  10. "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" - 4:43

    Personnel