Featured Artist: Geri Allen

CD Title: Timeless Portraits and Dreams

Year: 2006

Record Label: Telarc

Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic

Musicians: Geri Allen (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums)  Special guests : Carmen Lundy (vocals), Wallace Roney (trumpet), George Shirley (vocals), Donald Walden (tenor saxophone), the Atlanta Jazz Chorus

Review:

Geri Allen, whether playing standards or her own jazz compositions, is one of the most adept, graceful jazz pianists playing in today's jazz scene. The jazz listener can always rest assured that Geri Allen will give a sparkling, innovative performance, and her piano stylings are always refreshingly original in scope and perspective.

This fine collection contains fourteen songs.  There is also a bonus single CD featuring the song, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" which features George Shirley singing tenor with the Atlanta Jazz Chorus directed by Dwight Andrews.

The fourteen songs are winners and reflect the creative genius of Geri Allen at her finest performances to date. Songs include "Oh Freedom," the invigorating and brilliant piano solo of "Melchezedik," "Portraits and Dreams," "Well Done," the remarkable and complex piano solo of "La Strada," "I Have a Dream," "Nearly," "In Real Time," George Gershwin's classic "Embraceable You" based on an adaptation by Herbie Hancock and interpreted by Geri Allen, Charlie Parker's "Ah-Leu-Cha," "Just for a Thrill," "Our Lady (for Billie Holiday)" an intimate song composed by Geri Allen featuring Wallace Roney on trumpet, "Timeless Portraits and Dreams," and "Portraits and Dreams."

This is a fine CD collection from Geri Allen, one that will delight her fans and bring her new fans! She is in top form. Allen performances sparkle with verve, life, and imagination. A splendid recording, one to cherish and enjoy. 

This is Geri Allen at her finest. Highly recommended.

Record Label Website: http://www.telarc.com

Reviewed by: Lee Prosser

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