Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane by Karrin Allyson

18 Feb

Written by Richard Bourcier
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This wonderful vocalist comes on with the supreme confidence that she will capture her audience with the opening song. Her beautiful rendition of the opener, "Say It Over and Over Again" certainly found me locked firmly in her grasp. Karrin Allyson's treatment of the Loesser/McHugh tune is warm and uncluttered. The melodic tenor of James Carter puts the icing on the cake.

"Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane" is Allyson's seventh CD and a positive winner. There is not a weak track on the entire session. Without a doubt, her version of Bob Haggart's beautiful "What's New" is the finest I've ever heard. Bob Berg's tenor solo on the tune is enticingly soulful. The singer follows up with a sensitive treatment of "Nancy" and is ably assisted by Steve Wilson's soprano efforts.

We seldom find an album that may safely be described as "perfect" but this qualifies without reservation. Karrin Allyson has a voice with a warm core but also sports a frosty cutting edge jazz attack. Backed by a trio of James Williams, John Patitucci and Lewis Nash plus the guest stars, Allyson is "staking a claim" with this release. Ella has passed on and will never be replaced as the first lady of song. The contenders for the top lady of jazz in the 21st century are already assembling at the starting line. This young vocalist has everything going for her. Give her a listen.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Karrin Allyson
CD Title: Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane
Genre: Jazz Vocals
Year Released: 2001
Record Label: Concord Jazz
Musicians: Karrin Allyson (vocals, piano on track 5); Bob Berg (tenor sax tracks 2,6); James Carter (tenor sax - tracks 1,4,9); Lewis Nash (drums); John Patitucci (bass); James Williams (piano except track 5); Steve Wilson (soprano sax tracks 3,8,11).
Label Website: http://www.concordrecords.com
Rating: Five Stars