The Word from Mose, a jazz / blues giant
P E M Bernays | 02/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You must own this record. Let me briefly explain...Mose is a hip cool jazz voice, a blend of Chet Baker and Hoagy Carmichael. This LP is definitely his career peak, an 'all killer no filler' collection of singer-songwriter jazz/blues gems.The songs are neat, hip, funny, philosphical and defiant, right rom the jaunty opening gambit:I've been doing some thinkin',
'Bout the nature of the universe,
Turns out things are geting better,
It's just people that are getting worseAmong the gems are reflections on his journey from the Deep South to New York and a wry glances into the many predicaments and philosophical conundums of our human race - with some sublime piano playing attached.The most beautiful song by far is:Every body cryin' mercy
When they don't know the meaning of the wordwhich goes through a number of wry variations including:Every body cryin' justice
Just as long as there's business firstIt's a subdued but sharp and elemental piece, with no piano flourishes. As Mose says of his songs, 'it's funny though it hurts a bit'. Mercy has been covered successfully by the likes of Bonnie Raitt and Elvis Costello, but none come near Mose's definitive sparse, weary and amused take.Buy this album, it will stay with you through thick and thin. Mose said once 'the only compensation is that there is no compensation'. The album's closer 'Let it Come Down' is compensation enough sometimes:Frettin' 'bout what you're going throughRegrettin' the things you didn't do
Relying on compensations you've found
That won't get you any place
Won't excuse you from the race
When you meet your dstiny face to face
There'll be no more wrong or right
And no more 'wish I might'
If there's gonna be rain tonight
Let it come down"
A rare find - finally back in print!
02/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are several solid collections of Mose's best known works, but no one album has as many great songs as this album. Songs like City Home, Now You See It, Look What You Mad Me Do and Feel So Good are virtual unknowns - but they're terrific. Mose's wry humor, stunning piano and blues influence make his jazz wear very well, indeed. Even if you have all of Mose Allison's other albums, this is worth the price."
Mose, when not PC, is great
T. R Machan | Silverado, CA USA | 12/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Too much of Mose Allison's lyrics are misanthopic, even when extremely clever and funny. But I love him still. Like, why does he pit justice against business? That's conventional BS. (He loves business, after all, given his prolific output on widely selling albums. But he does it all very well, too, so what's the trouble?) Anyway, I've been a Mose Allison fan since I first heard his version of "Since I Fell for You" on "Mose Alive." I've heard/seen him in person over the years, most recently at the Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art but first in Santa Barbara, the at Harry's Bar. He never disappoints. My favorite of his songs is (I think called) "Almost famous.""
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1