From Tippo, Mississippi to
the tip of jazz’s pantheon, Mose Allison has had one of the genre’s most
enduring and beloved careers. Now well into his golden years, the honey and
chickoree-voiced storyteller continues to reminisce about his beloved South.
Among the prevalent themes on this gently sparkling collection are the infamous
12-foot cotton sack and other elements of life on the plantation (including
life on the penal farm for spousal homicide). It was a different place and a
different age, but Allison sing-songs about it as if he lived it himself. And
when he’s not singing about a life not lived, Allison offers equally
personalized renditions of the greats, from Ellington to Williamson and Ray
Charles to Willie Dixon. Though his Chet Baker-y vocals are occasionally
under-propped, Allison’s jaunty keywork is impressive and fun on its own. His
pianistic take on "Blueberry Hill" gets up there a bit faster than
Fats Domino, but the svelte Allison is in better shape anyhow. While waiting
for one or the other of his musical skills to take shape on "Trouble in
Mind," the Baker comparison takes on more weight as Allison reveals
himself as a capable horn man as well. So many skills over so many years make
this collection and this man a treasure for Rebel and Yankee alike. ~ AAJ.
OJC Records, OJCCD-6004-2, 1988
Recorded 7th March,
1957 (#19,12,14);
Recorded 8th November,
1957 (#4,7,15);
Recorded 24th January,
1958 (#6,9,11);
Recorded 18th April,
1958 (#5);
Recorded 15th August,
1958 (#1,8,16);
Recorded 13th February,
1959 (#2,3,13)
At Van Gelder Studio,
Hackensack, New Jersey
Musicians:
Mose Allison - Piano, Vocals
Addison Farmer - Bass
(#1-9,11,13,15,16)
Taylor La Fargue - Bass
(#10,12,14)
Ronnie Free - Drums
(#1-3,5,8,13,16)
Nick Stabulas - Drums
(#4,6,7,9,11,15)
Frank Isola - Drums
(#10,12,14)
Tracks:
01. The Seventh Son {Willie
Dixon} (2:41)
02. Eyesight To The Blind
{Sonny Boy Williamson} (1:44)
03. Do Nothin' 'Till You Hear
From Me {Ellington, Russell} (3:14)
04. Lost Mind {Percy
Mayfield} (3:34)
05. I've Got A Right To Cry
{Joe Liggins} (2:52)
06. Baby, Let Me Hold Your
Hand {Ray Charles} (3:18)
07. Parchman Farm {Mose
Allison} (3:21)
08. If You Live {Mose
Allison} (2:35)
09. Don't Get Around Much
Anymore {Ellington, Russell} (2:50)
10. One Room Country Shack
{Mary Dee Walton} (3:04)
11. I Hadn't Anyone 'Till You
{Ray Noble} (2:34)
12. Young Man's Blues {Mose
Allison} (1:27)
13. That's All Right {Jimmie
Rogers} (2:29)
14. Blueberry Hill {Lewis,
Stock, Rose} (2:59)
15. Trouble In Mind {Richard
Jones} (3:15)
16. Creek Bank {Mose Allison}
(4:36)
Credits:
Supervision - Bob Weinstock
(#1,4-12,14-16), Esmond Edwards (#2,3,13)
Recording Engineer - Rudy van
Gelder
Remastering - Phil De Lancie,
1988 (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley)
Art Direction - Phil Carroll
Photography - Lee Tanner
Liner Notes - Pete Townshend
