There's nothing like the sound of a singer coming into her own. Following up her first-rate, song-by-song traversal of John Coltrane's Ballads, on which she closely followed the original arrangements, Karrin Allyson here c... more »uts consistently fresh paths through a choice set of blues and blues-inspired tunes. There is never a moment when she takes a tune for granted--or allows us to. Breathing a sultry intimacy into Bobby Timmons' jazz classic, "Moanin,'" she maximizes Jon Hendricks's lyrics with her rolling-and-tumbling phrasing. Toughening her voice, she could almost be mistaken for Bonnie Raitt on "Love Me Like a Man," one of the blues-rock queen's signature songs. Backed by her fine regular guitarist Danny Embrey and the superb rhythm section of Mulgrew Miller, Peter Washington, and Lewis Nash, she also brings distinction to offbeat selections such as Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Hum Drum Blues," Blossom Dearie's "Bye Bye Country Boy," and Joni Mitchell's "Blue Motel Room." That she knows "The Meaning of the Blues" (she covers that Bobby Troup standard, too) is no surprise. She is, after all, from Kansas City. But the variety of shades she exposes here is worth shouting about. --Lloyd Sachs« less
There's nothing like the sound of a singer coming into her own. Following up her first-rate, song-by-song traversal of John Coltrane's Ballads, on which she closely followed the original arrangements, Karrin Allyson here cuts consistently fresh paths through a choice set of blues and blues-inspired tunes. There is never a moment when she takes a tune for granted--or allows us to. Breathing a sultry intimacy into Bobby Timmons' jazz classic, "Moanin,'" she maximizes Jon Hendricks's lyrics with her rolling-and-tumbling phrasing. Toughening her voice, she could almost be mistaken for Bonnie Raitt on "Love Me Like a Man," one of the blues-rock queen's signature songs. Backed by her fine regular guitarist Danny Embrey and the superb rhythm section of Mulgrew Miller, Peter Washington, and Lewis Nash, she also brings distinction to offbeat selections such as Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Hum Drum Blues," Blossom Dearie's "Bye Bye Country Boy," and Joni Mitchell's "Blue Motel Room." That she knows "The Meaning of the Blues" (she covers that Bobby Troup standard, too) is no surprise. She is, after all, from Kansas City. But the variety of shades she exposes here is worth shouting about. --Lloyd Sachs
"This album was featured at Borders one day. I was not familiar with Karrin and so I decided to put the headphones on. I was floored. This is such a wonderful album. Its very creative and moving music. I love the way Karrin delivers each song.Rachelle Farrell once said, it is a writer's job to take emotion and translate that to words. It is a singer's job to take those words and translate them back into emotion. Karrin Allyson accomplishes this feat with the highest of standards.This is a slow to medium tempo album and yet ... its very exciting music. She delivers each tune with such moving, understated authority and her scatting work is magical. This is a blues tinged jazz album. Or is it a jazz tinged blues album?I also love the way she gives her band lots of space to play. Mulgrew Miller does a nice job on piano. Danny Embrey on guitar plays creatively and with a unique sound on guitar. Pete Washington on bass is great.The most underrated drummer (in my opinion) Lewis Nash is FANTASTIC. While listening to this CD I kept getting drawn to the drummer. His cymbal work is so interesting and he also does some hand drumming which is perfect for the tune "Long As Your Living". I can't say enough about the colors that his drumming adds. He is an exciting drummer that should be payed close attention to on this recording.Speaking of recording .... the quality of the sound is first rate. My hat is off to Josiah Gluck for capturing such a gorgeous sound for Karrin and the band.The bottom line is: this is one of the best vocal jazz albums I have heard in a long, long time .... one of the best ever in fact....just buy it...you'll hear what I mean."
Beautiful musical hue
Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 12/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is another top notch release fom Karrin Allyson and her incredibly good band, most notably Steve Wilson on sax and Danny Embrey on guitar. Both of these musicians are of exceptional talent and add tremondously to the texture of the CD; their solos mix to create a perfect jazz ambience.The side musicians are allowed the jazz space for improvistation within the lines and structure of an amazing voice for a startling yet soothing result. Beginning with "Moanin" Allyson demonstrates her varied talents with scat singing and a guttural,sexy voice for a bluesy rendition that swings gently and provocatively. This disc is a throwback that is progressive and looking forward yet following the rich traditions of jazz. The Oscar Brown Jr .song "Long as you're Living" is a song that packs a powerful message about the here and now and the importance of relishing every moment. Many of the songs featured contain a message that soothes the consciousness . Allyson demonstrates her ability to be true to the musical roots of these great songs of jazz in a rich, saucy style that can be sensous or raucous, leaving the listener fully satisfied. If this were an old black and white film you would see blue grey smoke curling through the pitch black screeen of a night spot. This is a "blues" album that is unlike your preconceptions of the blues, it is the vivid color of a blue sky after a rainy day that has cleansed the earth. The blues according to Karrin Allyson are "universal-it's hard to not respond to them" and that is exatcly what you will do after listening to this disc, you will respond, you 'll respond postively. Her sulty voice is full of emotion and brings joy . If you like your blues with a fine jazz treatment, and a genuine interpretive voice, backed by super musicians, for a cozy, intimate result ,than this is a fine disc to add to your collection. File her next to the other female greats like Sarah Vaughn, Abbey Lincoln or Ella fitzgerald. If you are drawn to the female vocalist stylings of Diana Krall or other jazz singers than you will like Karrin Allyson. Her version of the blues will lighten your spirit."
Karrin's got the blues (and, boy, am I happy about it)
J. C. Vera | Miami, Fl United States | 06/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After releasing an astounding tribute album to Coltrane, I found it hard to imagine that Karrin Allyson would be able to record anything that was even half as good. Well, I was wrong, 'In Blue' is that kind of album that touches you and makes you want to play it time and again. The reviewer who found this album to be lacking emotion needs to give it another try. Just one listen to her version of "The Meaning of the Blues" and you're hooked. Other highlights include "Moanin'," "Evil Gal Blues," and "Angel Eyes." This album is the ideal introductory recommendation to what good jazz and blues female vocalists are about. Even more so, it is perfect for anyone who is a jazz fan and not familiar with Karrin's music. It is beautiful, melodic, fits every mood (perfect for a day when you're serioulsy hit by "the blues"), and it is flawlessly produced. Karrin's sincere, never-over-the-top, sultry, and emotional delivery is an example of what real music is about. File this one under "nearly perfect.""
SUPERB!!
B. J. Lane | Levittown, PA United States | 09/14/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Just a year or so ago, I borrowed one of Karrin Allyson's previous CDs - "From Paris to Rio," and her voice impressed me so much that I had to include this new one in my collection.This Kansas City gal demonstrates her ability to make a song her own distinctive property, and these blues-tinged offerings are no exception. Here, she tackles classic standards like "Angel Eyes" (Sinatra) and "How Long Has This Been Going On?", breathes new life into Bobby Troup's "Meaning of the Blues," takes her own personal spin on Oscar Brown's "Hum Drum Blues" and "Long as You're Living," Bonnie Raitt's "Love Me Like a Man," and swings her way through "Moanin'" and Wes Montgomery's "West Coast Blues." There are 13 tracks on this CD...hard to pick one standout.Kudos to the talented musicians who backed Karrin up on this outing. Let's hope that another Grammy nod is in this talented lady's resume!!"
In Blue Is a Must Have
Terry Watkins | Lajes, Portugal | 11/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD absolutely is a must have for anyone who enjoys jazz/blues. Wonderfully crisp is her voice and the arrangements are well balanced. A couple of the songs ("My Bluebird", and "The Meaning of the Blues") are a little slower than I prefer, but her vocals on these tracks really make the songs enjoyable. A remarkable performance--fresh and intriquing."