Born in New York City, his jazz work was chiefly in the hard bop, post-bop and free jazz genres. He is known for his distinctive chord voicings and adaptable style, which was originally inspired by the playing of Thelonious Monk.
After obtaining a B.A. in music from Queen's College, New York, he worked in New York City in the early 1950s with Ike Quebec, "Big" Nick Nicholas, and rhythm and blues groups. He worked frequently with Charles Mingus from 1954 to 1956 and was Billie Holiday's regular accompanist from 1957 until her death in 1959. He also supervised recording sessions for Prestige Records, for which he provided arrangements and compositions (including the jazz standard "Soul Eyes"). After Holiday's death he chiefly led his own groups.
Waldron had a unique playing style. He played chords in a lower bass part of the keyboard, and is comparable to Bud Powell in his dissonant voices. His solo style is in noted contrast to players like Red Garland.
He was frequently recorded, both as a leader and sideman, with, among others, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Clifford Jordan, Booker Little, Steve Lacy, Jackie McLean and Archie Shepp.
Besides performing he composed for films (The Cool World, Three Bedrooms In Manhattan and Sweet Love Bitter), theatre, and ballet. In 1963 he had a major nervous breakdown, and had to re-learn his skills, apparently by listening to his own records. Waldron's playing style re-emerged more brooding, starker and percussive, combining bebop and avant-garde melodies, and at times weaving repetitive melodic motifs using just a few notes over a drone like accompaniment figure. After working on a film score in Europe he moved there permanently in 1965 initially living in Munich, Germany and in his last years he was based in Brussels, Belgium. On the principle that working at local venues reduced his fee, he avoided playing in the city in which he lived. He regularly returned to the United States for bookings.
Through the 1980s and 1990s he worked in various settings with Steve Lacy, notably in soprano-piano duets playing their own compositions as well as Monk's.
After some years of indifferent health, though continuing to perform, Waldron died in December 2002 in Brussels, Belgium.
All or Nothing at All
Mal Waldron Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Half a love, never appealed to me
If your heart, never could yield to me
Then I'd rather (rather) have nothing at all
All or nothing at all
If it's love, there is no in between
Why begin then cry, for something that might have been
But please don't bring your lips so close to my cheek
Don't smile or I'll be lost beyond recall
The kiss in your eyes, the touch of your hand makes me weak
And my heart may go dizzy and fall
And if I fell (I fell) under the spell of your call
I would be, caught in the undertow
So you see, I've got to say no, no
All or nothing at all
The lyrics of "All or Nothing at All" by Mal Waldron express the longing for a love that is complete and unconditional. The song explores the idea that half-hearted love or settling for anything less than full commitment is not desirable. The singer is firm in their belief that if someone's heart cannot fully open up to them, they would rather have nothing at all.
The repetition of the phrase "all or nothing at all" emphasizes the strong conviction behind this sentiment. The singer is unwilling to settle for a love that is only partially given or received. They believe that love has no room for ambiguity or uncertainty, stating, "If it's love, there is no in between."
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's reasoning, suggesting that beginning a relationship that will ultimately lead to heartbreak is not worth the pain. They would rather avoid the potential disappointment by choosing to have nothing at all. This choice reflects their desire for authenticity and a genuine connection.
The third verse introduces a dilemma for the singer. They acknowledge the allure of the other person's presence and the effect it has on them, specifically the seductive power of their eyes and touch. However, they are aware that succumbing to this attraction would ultimately lead to a loss of control and potential heartbreak. This temptation further strengthens their resolve to choose nothing at all over a love that could be fleeting or unfulfilling.
In the final lines, the singer firmly states their decision to say no to the other person's advances. They are fully aware that if they were to give in to the spell of the other person's call, they would be swept away and trapped by the undertow. This reinforces the idea that they prioritize their emotional well-being over any temporary pleasure that may come from a half-hearted relationship.
Overall, "All or Nothing at All" reflects the singer's insistence on finding a love that is whole and sincere. They valorize the importance of genuine emotional connection and are willing to forgo anything less, even if it means having nothing at all.
Line by Line Meaning
All or nothing at all
I prefer to have a complete and genuine love rather than settling for anything less
Half a love, never appealed to me
I find no satisfaction in incomplete or half-hearted love
If your heart, never could yield to me
If your heart cannot open up and give itself to me fully
Then I'd rather (rather) have nothing at all
In that case, I would prefer to have no love at all
If it's love, there is no in between
Love cannot exist in a state of uncertainty or indecision
Why begin then cry, for something that might have been
There's no point in starting a relationship if it will only lead to regret and longing for what could have been
No I'd rather (rather) have nothing at all
I would rather be alone than settle for a love that is incomplete or unfulfilling
But please don't bring your lips so close to my cheek
Please don't tempt me with physical affection, as it may weaken my resolve
Don't smile or I'll be lost beyond recall
Your smile has the power to enchant me completely, making it difficult for me to resist your allure
The kiss in your eyes, the touch of your hand makes me weak
The affection and tenderness you show through your gaze and touch have a profound effect on me, making me vulnerable
And my heart may go dizzy and fall
My heart may become overwhelmed and succumb to the intoxicating allure of your affection
And if I fell (I fell) under the spell of your call
If I allowed myself to be captivated by your irresistible charm and longing for me
I would be, caught in the undertow
I would become entangled and swept away by the intense emotions and desires your love brings
So you see, I've got to say no, no
Therefore, I must firmly refuse to engage in a relationship with you that could lead me to lose myself completely
All or nothing at all
Once again, I reiterate my preference for a love that is complete and genuine rather than settling for anything less
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Arthur Altman, Jack Lawrence
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind