Footprints

Of late, every album she has released is radically different. Paris to Rio - French/Portuguese jazz, Ballads - classic jazz, In Blue - smooth blues, Wild about you - pop/jazz interpretations. Just when you thought all the bases were covered, Footprints arrives. In Footprints Karrin reinterprets jazz standards that have had lyrics added (by Chris Caswell) - no small feat! She gets 4 stars for bravery alone! It takes guts to mess with classics - she proves she's got what it takes. Though it contains a great mix of duets and solos, it's not for everyone. I'm sure some people will be upset with lyrics being added to pure jazz instrumentals, but no matter what, you have to give Karrin credit. She sings what she likes and it shows. Pure clean vocals. She doesn't have the biggest voice out there but she sure has the prettiest. By the way: You scat lovers will not be disappointed - Karrin delivers.

IMHO, Karrin Allyson's "Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane" was the best vocal jazz c.d. of 2001, and one of the best of the millenium. But, IMHO, her follow-ups, "In Blue" and "Wild For You," didn't measure up to that one. The programs felt wrong, or something. So, where does "Footprints" stack up?

IMHO, to the caliber of "Ballads". I'm delighted to say: Karrin Allyson is back!

This album is about vocalese of post-bop tunes, mostly with original lyrics by Chris Caswell. We have: Dizzy's "Con Alma" (note: this was done with different lyrics, by Nancy Rafat, on Tierney Sutton's 2001 "Unsung Heroes"); Trane's "Equinox" (which is a slowed-down "Cousin Mary" by any other name); the famous "Jordu" of Duke Jordan's; Nat Adderley's "Teaneck" (an instrumental on the seminal "Cannonball Adderley and Nancy Wilson") and "Never Say Yes"; and the title track of Wayne Shorter's.

This setting absolutely works for Ms. Allyson. She sounds great, as always, and the piano work of accompanist Bruce Barth is top drawer.

But what makes this a high 5-star album is Nancy King, Oscar Brown and Jon Hendricks.

Nancy King's voice works superbly well with Ms. Allyson's. Together, they sound tremendous on "Yes," "A Tree and Me" and the title track; and her scatting on "Jordu" is sensational. She alone elevates this to a 5-star album.

"Tree" belongs to Oscar Brown, Jr., and is the highlight of this set. The reason why is that Ms. Allyson's voice works best when singing melancholy, plaintive ballads (which was what "Ballads" was mostly about); and this tune, with very poignant lyrics about the meaning of death, is the one. But the late Mr. Brown also contributes an hilarious "But I Was Cool", and Ms. Allyson brings a smile to your face with the alternate wailing and "being cool."

And what would a new vocalese album be without the James Joyce of it all, Jon Hendricks? Jon sits in on his sweet "Strollin'" of Horace Silver, and sounds in remarkably good voice. He even whistles a chorus, bringing back memories of "Whistlin' at the Pretty Girls" of early L, H & R days.

And then the album ends on the highest of high notes, with Jon, Nancy and Karrin tradin' fours on one of the old L, H & R staples, "Everybody's Boppin'." This sounds as good, if not better, as the immortal version with Dave Lambert and Annie Ross. I guess it isn't going to happen, but a new ensemble known as "Allyson Hendricks and King" would be just fine by me!

This may not end up being the best of 2006, when all is said and done; but it has to be an early contender. Very highly recommended. RC

This new CD, "Footprints," is by far one of Ms. Allyson's finest outings to date...and I truly echo Rick's words here!

It is not an easy task to take some of the finest instrumental classics in jazz and add lyrics, but Chris Caswell gets a huge tip of the hat for a fine job. Add some killer contributions from Nancy King (who deserves wider recognition) and Jon Hendricks (Mr. Vocalese), and you've got a fine album in which the sum total (in my book) equals all of its individual parts.

Far and away, my two favorite tracks are "But I Was Cool," with a killer flute solo by Frank Wess, and the rapid-fire "Everybody's Boppin'", where all the voices are joined together (reminiscent of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross). The memory of the late, great Oscar Brown, Jr. is preserved on this disc with two songs - it broke my heart to know that he passed on just months before having a chance to add his talent to the proceedings.

Thanks Karrin - can't wait to see what you come up with next time!

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