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The Jazz lyricist of all time . . .

04/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been constantly interested in the way Mose has written lyrics to reflect our times...ever evolving--literally a philosopher.
But that wouldn't mean anything without his great music.


"That's Your Red Wagon" is about dragging around your hang-ups. "The Gettin' Paid Waltz" is every working man/woman's song. "If You Live" is about something our society can't even talk about.


If you like great jazz and a master of the word, you'll love Mose Allison. You can take him light--just good jazz, or taste his words. Mose invented words with music."

Mose Definitely

El Lagarto | Sandown, NH | 04/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of the many Mose Allison anthology CDs available, this is definitely the best. The must-have selections like Seventh Son, Parchman Farm, and Young Man's Blues are in there along with a slew of others, mostly well-worn standards. Everything about this CD is as comfortable as an old shoe - putting it on is the audio equivalent of starting a fire on a winter's day and cracking open a favorite book as you sink further into your easy chair.



Mose Allison's delivery is so laid back that if he slowed down any more he'd be going in reverse. His soft, lazy vocals and seemingly effortless piano playing are like a lullaby, but his lyrics and delivery are always tinted with sly irony. Sometimes the humor is barely concealed, for example, in One Room Country Shack, at other times it sneaks up stealthily as it does on Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me and If You Live. Ultimately it doesn't matter which track you play, Mose makes everything he touches his own. Like the other great ones, Mose Allison has refined a style recognizable at 50 paces, unique and thoroughly pleasant to hear. At the Amazon price I saw listed, you could hardly get more ear candy for less."

Songs from the heart

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 02/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD (once an LP, with 3 added bonus tracks), collects Mose's vocal sides off of his 6 mainly instrumental Prestige recordings made 1957-59. Allison's voice and vocal style are immediately infectious; everything he sings is tinged with a downhome blues feeling, as might be expected from a man from Tippo, Mississippi. "Eyesight to the blind," "Lost mind," and "One room country shack" are the best of the best here and keep getting better. Mose is a terrific singer; this is my favorite album of his. A must have CD."