Mose Allison recorded six albums as a leader for Prestige during 1957-59, an era when he was better known as a jazz pianist than as a folk/country blues vocalist and masterful lyricist. On this CD reissue of 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 is the three vocals ("Eyesight To The Blind," "That's All Right" and Duke Ellington's "Do Nothin' Till 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-round set. -
by Scott Yanow, AMGArtist: Mose Allison
Album: Autumn Song
Year: 1959 (Prestige)
Label: OJC (Dig. Remastered, 1996)
Total time: 35:00
Tracks:1. Promenade (Mose Allison) 4:12
2. Eyesight To The Blind (Sonny Boy Williamson) 1:43
3. It's Crazy (Dorothy Fields/Richard Rodgers) 3:40
4. That's All Right (Jimmy Rogers) 2:28
5. Devil In The Cane Field (Mose Allison) 4:05
6. Strange (Matthew Fisher/John Latouche) 3:08
7. Autumn Song (Mose Allison) 3:43
8. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me (Duke Ellington/Bob Russell) 3:13
9. Spires (Mose Allison) 3:05
10. Groovin' High (Dizzy Gillespie) 5:38
Personnel:Mose Allison (Piano and Vocal)
Addison Farmer (Double Bass)
Ronnie Free (Drums)
