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KARRIN ALLYSON
Ballads (Concord)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
John Coltrane's 1961 album titled simply Ballads is too often overlooked, overcome by the brilliance of his more challenging work. With McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones, Coltrane set out to demonstrate that whatever else he was up to, he was a master of melody as well, and he accomplished what he set out to do beautifully. Though it's not the album most people would point to as Trane's masterpiece, it's a favorite of many.
Among the many is jazz singer Karrin Allyson, who has chosen to pay tribute to Trane by recording her own version of the tracks from his Ballads album on her own disc of the same title. She augments the eight songs from the original with three more ballads from the Coltrane book, "Naima," "Why Was I Born" and "Everytime We Say Goodbye." Walking in the footsteps of an undisputed master is always a daunting task, but Allyson proves fully equal to the challenge, as does the band she assembled for the project.
Her rhythm section, pianist James Williams, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Lewis Nash, are augmented by three saxophonists, Bob Berg and James Carter on tenor and Steve Wilson on soprano. Allyson is generous with her arrangements, providing room for some outstanding instrumental breaks, but it's really her voice which serves as the central instrument here, and it's one of the finest instruments of it's kind.
Allyson is a genuine jazz singer, with a gift for phrasing and the rare ability to completely sell the song the composer intended while still infusing it with something personal and original that enhances, rather than overwhelms. She took the long road to jazz, through classical, rock and pop periods that give her a wide musical view that emerges in a mature vision translated through a beautiful voice. She intended this as a tribute to John Coltrane. In the end, it's a testimony to the range and quality of her own considerable talents.
Track List:
Say It (Over And Over Again) * You Don't Know What Love Is * Too Young To Go Steady * All Or Nothing At All * I Wish I Knew * What's New * It's Easy To Remember * Nancy (With The Laughing Face) * Naima * Why Was I Born? * Everytime We Say Goodbye
© 2001 - Shaun Dale