Creek Mose Allison

Basic, no-frills anthology of 13 of his better late-'50s Prestige sides, all of which feature his vocals. It has most of his most famous songs, particularly to listeners from a rock background, including his versions of "The Seventh Son," "Eyesight to the Blind" (covered by the Who on Tommy, though Sonny Boy Williamson did it before Allison), "Parchman Farm" (done by John Mayall), and "Young Man's Blues" (also covered by the Who). Were it not for the significant omission of "I'm Not Talking" (retooled by the Yardbirds), this would qualify as the basic collection for most listeners. Greatest Hits does include liner notes by Pete Townshend, originally penned for a 1972 collection.

Mose Allison - Creek Bank (1958) {Prestige ‎PCD-24055-2 rel 1994}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 414 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 181 Mb | Artwork | 5% repair rar
© 1958, 1994 Prestige / ZYX Music | PCD-24055-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Jazz Blues / Piano / Vocal Jazz

This Prestige collection combines two 1958 sessions that feature Mose Allison on many cherished standards, and a few early originals. Here the pianist/vocalist divides his time between instrumental piano trio numbers and those that feature his bluesy Southern vocals. Listening to many of these familiar tunes, it is easy to see how Allison was influenced by everyone from Sonny Boy Williamson and Nat King Cole to Bud Powell.

Mose Allison - Mose Allison Sings (1959) {2006 Prestige RVG Remasters Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 282 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 109 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 57 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1959, 2006 Prestige / Concord | 888072300118 | Prestige RVG Remaster Series | PRLP 7279
Jazz / Hard Bop / Jazz Blues / Piano / Vocal Jazz

“I was the engineer on the recording sessions and I also made the masters for the original LP issues of these albums. Since the advent of the CD, other people have been making the masters. Mastering is the final step in the process of creating the sound of the finished product. Now, thanks to the folks at the Concord Music Group who have given me the opportunity to remaster these albums, I can present my versions of the music on CD using modern technology. I remember the sessions well, I remember how the musicians wanted to sound, and I remember their reactions to the playbacks. Today, I feel strongly that I am their messenger.” Rudy Van Gelder

Mose Allison - Down Home Piano (1957-1959) {Prestige OJCCD-922-2 rel 1997}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 245 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 91 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 7 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957-59, 1997 Prestige / Fantasy / OJC | OJCCD-1892-2 / 00025218692229
Jazz / Hard Bop / Jazz Blues / Piano Trio

Although Mose Allison is perhaps best known for his enjoyably idiosyncratic vocal style, he is first and foremost a marvelous piano player with a unique style pitched somewhere between a New Orleans bordello and the rhythmic and harmonic experimentation of Thelonious Monk or Sun Ra. This well-chosen 1966 compilation (released after Allison had split for Atlantic Records) pulls together ten of his best instrumentals from four of his six Prestige albums, and it makes a strong case for Allison as one of the most inventive piano players and composers of his generation.

Before he retired from music in 1960, pianist George Wallington led a series of excellent bop-based quintet albums. For this particular CD Wallington heads a group featuring altoist Phil Woods, trumpeter Donald Byrd, bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Nick Stabulas. With the exception of the standard "Indian Summer," the repertoire is pretty obscure (with now-forgotten originals by Byrd, Woods and Mose Allison in addition to "Graduation Day") but of a consistent high quality. The emphasis is on hard-swinging and this set should greatly please straightahead jazz fans.