From the Vaults of Atlantic Records (series)

Western Man / Mose In Your Ear

by Mose Allison

Description by OLDIES.com:

Mose Allison is equally at home playing both jazz and blues piano. His boogie woogie and bebop-laden style is still both innovative and fresh sounding. He's also one of the finest songwriters of the 20th century, and his tunes have been covered by everyone from the Rolling Stones to The Who to Bonnie Raitt. 1972's "In Your Ear" is a live set recorded at the In Your Ear jazz club in Palo Alto, California.

Product Description:

2 LPs on 1 CD: WESTERN MAN (1971)/MOSE IN YOUR EAR (1972).

WESTERN MAN:

Personnel: Mose Allison (vocals, piano); Chuck Rainey (bass); Billy Cobham (drums).

MOSE IN YOUR EAR:

Personnel: Mose Allison (vocals, piano); Clyde Flowers (bass); Eddie Charlton (drums).

Producer: Mose Allison.

Recorded live at In Your Ear, Palo Alto, California.

This Collectables reissue features two Mose Allison albums, from 1971 and 1972 respectively. On WESTERN MAN, Allison interprets Duke Ellington's "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me" with deference. His rendition is warm and delicate, and seeks only to illuminate the beauty of Ellington's melody, allowing the song to swing beautifully.

On the other hand, Allison's original tune "Powerhouse," from the live MOSE IN YOUR EAR record, shows another side of this artist. Here, the pianist and his group improvise without restraint. On this lengthy track, Allison proves that he's not just a beat-generation crooner by offering up virtuosic piano work that flows with great clarity and emotion. Here, his trio mates--bassist Clyde Flowers and drummer Eddie Charlton--anchor the tune with great zeal. Throughout this 21-track release, Allison exudes remarkably creative energy, whether he's easing into a ballad or riding an upbeat groove.