Mose Allison Sings

by Mose Allison

Product Description:

Personnel: Mose Allison (vocals, trumpet, piano); Taylor La Fargue, Addison Farmer (upright bass); Frank Isola, Nick Stabulas, Ronnie Free (drums).

Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (1957 - 1959).

The 2006 Rudy Van Gelder remaster of MOSE ALLISON SINGS reminds listeners that Allison was churning out great songs and performances as far back as 1957 (and that he's been doing the same ever since). The artist's distinctive mixture of blues, jazz, dynamic piano playing, and witty songwriting plays loud and clear on this early offering.

There are fewer Allison originals than one might prefer here; instead he takes on classic blues (Willie Dixon's "Seventh Son") and jazz (Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"). But the originals that are here (like "Young Man's Blues," which was covered by the Who) are worth the price of admission. The reissue adds four tracks and a revised running order, and highlights Van Gelder's flawless production.