WE WERE BEAUTIFUL ONCE

MWSA Review

Smooth jazz, easy listening.

We Were Beautiful Once, the CD, is an album of original work and jazz piano standards arranged and performed by Joe Carvalko on the keyboard. The song selections correlate with Carvalko’s book of the same title, which was a finalist in Military Writer’s Society of America’s Historical Fiction category in 2014.

Carvalko’s virtuosity is evident in the performances, and his creativity shines through, not only in the standards, but also in the two original works on the album. One of his compositions, “An Unknown Shoal,” is a somewhat moody and atmospheric piece, while his original “Where Do We Go from Here?” is a thoughtful, restful balance to some of the more upbeat selections.

In particular, Carvalko’s interpretation of “A Sunday Kind of Love” was delightful, with piano embellishments that are tasteful, interesting, and well articulated. It’s romantic and tender without being stodgy and makes me envision myself sipping coffee in bed on a Sunday morning.

The music is relaxing, without being boring or repetitive. While some of the songs lively and set my toes to tapping, they are not frantic or hyperactive. And since there are no vocals, the CD makes an equally excellent accompaniment to a meal with friends, a romantic evening, or working on the computer.

We Were Beautiful Once will appeal not only to jazz fans, but to those who just like to have some music in the background at work or play.

Reviewed by: Beard, Betsy (2015)

Author's Summary

WE WERE BEAUTIFUL ONCE

1. A SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE 5:00 BARBARA BELLE, LOUIS PRIMA, ANITA LEONARD,
    STAN RHODES
2. AFTERNOON IN PARIS 2:06 JOHN LEWIS
3. ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE 2:38 JEROME KERN, OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN 2ND
4. AN UNKNOWN SHOAL 2:16 JOE CARVALKO
5. APRIL IN PARIS 2:37 VERNON DUKE, E.Y. HARBURG
6. I SHOULD CARE 3:40 SAMMY CAHN, AXEL STORDAHL, PAUL WESTON
7. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE 3:15 JOE CARVALKO
8. STELLA BY STARLIGHT 1:55 NED WASHINGTON, VICTOR YOUNG
9. ROSETTA 2:55  E. HINES, H. WOODE