Geri Allen - Timeless Portraits And Dreams (2006)

Geri Allen's musical interests prove to be quite diverse in Timeless Portraits and Dreams, delving into jazz, spirituals, sacred works and originals, accompanied by two of the most in-demand veterans, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Jimmy Cobb, throughout most of the release. Allen's stunning solo opener "Oh Freedom" segues directly into another fine work, "Melchezedek," which showcases both Allen and Carter in the solo spotlight, with wordless vocals by the Atlanta Jazz Chorus adding background color. Singer Carmen Lundy and the chorus are on hand for the spirit-filled "Well Done" and Allen's gorgeous ballad "Timeless Portraits and Dreams." Other vocal tracks include two features for tenor George Shirley, including "I Have a Dream" (from Mary Lou's Mass composed by Mary Lou Williams after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and a vigorous treatment of the piece considered as the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Trumpeter Wallace Roney (Allen's husband) smolders in Allen's tasty post-bop vehicle "In Real Time" and makes a belated entrance in the tense, strident tribute "Our Lady (For Billie Holiday)." Allen throws the listener a curve with her well-disguised introduction to the trio arrangement of Charlie Parker's "Ah-Leu-Cha" and uncovers a neglected gem in Lil Hardin Armstrong's ballad "Just for a Thrill." While some jazz fans may prefer to hear Geri Allen in a strictly instrumental setting, they will miss out if they fail to investigate these stimulating sessions. Highly recommended. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG.

Telarc Jazz, CD-83645, 2006
Recorded 16^th-17^th March, 2006 At Avatar Studio A, New York City 

Personnel:
Geri Allen - Piano, Solo Piano (#2,5), Vocals
Wallace Roney - Trumpet (#8,12)
Donald Walden - Tenor Saxophone (#6)
Ron Carter - Upright Bass (#2-4,6-12,14)
Jimmy Cobb - Drums (#2-4,6-12,14)
George Shirley - Vocals [Tenor] (#6)
Carmen Lundy - Vocals, Arranger (#4,13)
Atlantic Jazz Chorus (#2,4,5,13)
Dwight Andrews - Chorus Director 

Tracks:
01. Oh Freedom {Traditional} (1:52)
02. Melchezedik {Antoine Roney, Arr. Geri Allen} (7:07)
03. Portraits And Dreams {Geri Allen} (2:27)
04. Well Done {Kenny Lattimore, Pat McClain, Arr. Geri Allen} (5:22)
05. La Strada {Nino Rota, Arr. Geri Allen} (4:21)
06. I Have A Dream {Mary Lou Williams, Arr. Carmen Lundy} (2:24)
07. Nearly {Ron Carter} (4:28)
08. In Real Time {Geri Allen, Wallace Roney} (5:40)
09. Embraceable You {George Gershwin} (2:48)
10. Ah-Leu-Cha {Charlie Parker, Arr. Geri Allen} (4:52)
11. Just For A Thrill {Lil Hardin Armstrong, Arr. Geri Allen} (4:21)
12. Our Lady [For Billie Holiday] {Geri Allen} (5:59)
13. Timeless Portraits And Dreams {Geri Allen} (5:05)
14. Portraits And Dreams [Reprise] {Geri Allen} (1:39) 

Total Time: 58:25

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Geri Allen
Producer - Elaine Martone
Executive Producer - Robert Woods
Engineer, Mastering - Robert Friedrich
Assistant Engineer - Peter Doris
Production Coordination - Ora Ross Harris 

Note:
Lift Every Voice And Sing {James Weldon Johnson, John Rosamond Johnson} (3:52)
on Bonus CD as single track