Mose Allison

Over the course of a career spanning six decades, drummer Jerry Granelli has worked with many of the greatest artists across the full spectrum of jazz and beyond. On The Jerry Granelli Trio Plays Vince Guaraldi and Mose Allison, his rapturous new album for RareNoise, Granelli revisits two of his most indelible collaborations from the vantage point of the exploratory now.

It seems strange to realize that this was Mose Allison's only recording during the 1973-1981 period. In addition to his trio with bassist Jack Hannah and drummer Jerry Granelli, such guests as altoist David Sanborn, Al Cohn, and Joe Farrell on tenors and trumpeter Al Porcino pop up on a few selections. However, Mose Allison is easily the main star, performing ten of his originals (including a remake of the famous title cut, "What Do You Do After You Ruin Your Life," and "Swingin' Machine") plus renditions of the standards "Foolin' Myself" and "I Can't See for Lookin'."

Mose Allison - Autumn Song (1959) {Prestige OJCCD 894-2 rel 1996}
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© 1959, 1996 Prestige Records / Fantasy | OJCCD 894-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Jazz Blues / Vocal Jazz / Piano

Mose Allison recorded six albums as a leader for Prestige between 1957 and 1959, an era when he was better known as a jazz pianist than a folk/country blues vocalist and masterful lyricist. On his final Prestige date, Allison (in a trio with bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Ronnie Free) performs seven instrumentals (including "It's Crazy," "Autumn Song," and "Groovin' High") but it's the three vocals ("Eyesight to the Blind," "That's All Right," and Duke Ellington's "Do Nothin' 'til You Hear from Me") that are most memorable. One realizes why Allison was soon emphasizing his vocals; he was a much more distinctive singer than pianist, although his piano playing was actually pretty inventive. This is an excellent all-around set.

Mose Allison - Swingin' Machine (1962) {2014 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27483}
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© 1962, 2014 Atlantic / Warner Japan / Rhino | WPCR-27483 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Hard Bop / Jazz Blues / Vocal Jazz / Piano

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. Mose Allison creates a very swinging machine for this classic Atlantic Records set – by adding in a few horns to his usual trio, and making for a groove that's even jazzier overall! Mose's vocals are wonderful, as always – extremely witty, with that great balance of New Orleans roots and 60s hipster jazz – served up in a host of his own wonderful compositions!

Besides cool playing and his uniquely smoky singing, Mose has great taste in material. "Hey Good Lookin'" fits right in with revisited versions of "I Love the Life I Live," "I Ain't Got Nobody" and "Baby Please Don't Go," complete with what the singer himself calls his distinctive "involuntary groan" during the piano solo. Teo Macero's intimate production makes it feel like you're right there in the studio.

This CD reissue brings back Mose Allison's second of six Prestige recordings. Allison performs eight instrumentals in a trio with bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Nick Stabulas, displaying his unusual mixture of country blues and bebop and even taking an effective trumpet solo on "Trouble In Mind." However it is his vocals on "Lost Mind" and particularly the classic "Parchman Farm" that are most memorable. ~ AllMusic

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). ~ AllMusic

Mose Allison - Local Color (1957) {Prestige 00025218645720 rel 2006}
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© 1957, 2006 Prestige / Fantasy / OJC | OJCCD-457-2 / 00025218645720
Jazz / Hard Bop / Jazz Blues / Piano

Local Color was Mose Allison's second of six Prestige recordings. Allison performs eight instrumentals in a trio with bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Nick Stabulas, displaying his unusual mixture of country blues and bebop, and even taking an effective trumpet solo on "Trouble in Mind." However, it is his vocals on "Lost Mind," and particularly the classic "Parchman Farm," that are most memorable.

Mose Allison - Ever Since The World Ended (1987) {Blue Note CDP 7 48015 2}
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© 1987 Blue Note | CDP 7 48015 2
Jazz / Jazz Blues / Piano / Vocal Jazz

Mose Allison, who was a musical institution long before 1987, had not run out of creative juices after 30 years of major league performances. This set finds him introducing such ironically truthful songs as "Ever Since The World Ended," "Top Forty," "I Looked In The Mirror" and "What's Your Movie." The many guest artists (including altoist Arthur Blythe, tenor-saxophonist Bennie Wallace, Bob Malach on both alto and tenor and guitarist Kenny Burrell) are unnecessary frivolities but Allison's trio (with bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer Tom Whaley) is tight and ably backs the unique singer-pianist.