Back to the Beautiful


Back to the Beautiful is an album by pianist Stanley Cowell recorded in 1989 and first released on the Concord label.

Reception

In the Chicago Tribune, Jack Fuller stated "this one is such easy listening that you could be deceived into thinking that is all it is....the music is more subtle for its seeming simplicity and more satisfying for its restraint." John Litweiler observed "Stanley Cowell is a straightforward, eclectic, essentially late-bop piano sophisticate, and this program of mostly trio selections is attractively lyrical....As composer and arranger, then, Cowell is good here; his improvising, however, is less vital." In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow said "Pianist Stanley Cowell displays some of his versatility on this Concord CD".

Track listing

All compositions by Stanley Cowell except as indicated
  1. "Theme for Ernie" – 6:59
  2. "Wail" – 6:18
  3. "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" – 4:55
  4. "But Beautiful" – 6:22
  5. "Sylvia's Place" – 5:51
  6. "Come Sunday" – 9:05
  7. "Carnegie Six" – 6:40
  8. "St. Croix" – 5:10
  9. "Prayer for Peace" – 9:01
  10. "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" – 5:43

Personnel