Mose Allison Sings and then what?
August 26, 2023 11:14 PM Subscribe
I've been listening to Mose Allison's albums Mose Allison Sings and Transfiguration of Hiram Brown and really like them. But he has So Many Albums! Please recommend me some of his albums, and also maybe some other full albums by other artists of the genre you think I would like? I've listened to some Stan Getz and Oscar Brown Jr. etc but do not know much about this kind of music (of that era, 60's-70's but really any decade is fine!). Thanks!
Don't miss Allison's Back Country Suite, Prestige LP 7091. It might be his first album. It's almost all piano, he only sings on a few tracks.
One of the few songs is simply titled "Blues." It turns out to be the song popularized by The Who as Young Man Blues. Allison's usual low-key, soft-spoken delivery is quite a contrast to The Who's arena-blasting treatment. But The Who used Allison's riff unchanged!
posted by JonJacky at 12:13 PM on August 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
One of the few songs is simply titled "Blues." It turns out to be the song popularized by The Who as Young Man Blues. Allison's usual low-key, soft-spoken delivery is quite a contrast to The Who's arena-blasting treatment. But The Who used Allison's riff unchanged!
posted by JonJacky at 12:13 PM on August 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Mel Torme? Chet Baker? Gregory Porter?
Hard to say without knowing what you like about Allison. His tone? Intonation? Lyrics? Playing?
Anyway, hopefully something above appeals.
posted by dobbs at 1:47 PM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Hard to say without knowing what you like about Allison. His tone? Intonation? Lyrics? Playing?
Anyway, hopefully something above appeals.
posted by dobbs at 1:47 PM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Hell yeah, those early Mose Allison records are fantastic: I love his smooth voice, the sweet piano trio setting and the laid-back bluesy feel, and his lyrics and songwriting got better and better as his career evolved over the decades. His discography at Allmusic ranks his records from 1-5 stars; I like pretty much all of his 50s/60s stuff but maybe start with the 4- to 5-star LPs and go from there.
But don't miss 1976's Your Mind Is On Vacation; the title track is probably his best-known song ("your mind is on vacation and your mouth is working overtime"), but unlike the early albums where he does lots of covers he wrote all the songs on this one. They're very clever and a lot of fun - even a bit goofy, like the final song "Your Molecular Structure."
He's been remarkably consistent, so you'll probably like 1997's Gimcracks and Gewgaws as well.
For related artists, I'd definitely second dobbs on Bob Dorough; he's jazzy and has a very similar vocal vibe. I'd start with 1956's Devil May Care, maybe starting with "I Had The Craziest Dream" or "Jonny One Note."
Also 2nding Blossom Dearie, especially her first 3 albums; she's fabulous, too. Her breathiness is like hearing cotton candy.
I'd add a personal fave: the 1940s recordings of the Nat King Cole trio; incredibly tight piano/guitar/bass and classic fun vocals. This was before Cole went pop with easy listening stuff like "Mona Lisa"; it's smart but accessible jazz that's a blast to listen to. Have fun; you have great taste already!
posted by mediareport at 4:51 PM on August 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
But don't miss 1976's Your Mind Is On Vacation; the title track is probably his best-known song ("your mind is on vacation and your mouth is working overtime"), but unlike the early albums where he does lots of covers he wrote all the songs on this one. They're very clever and a lot of fun - even a bit goofy, like the final song "Your Molecular Structure."
He's been remarkably consistent, so you'll probably like 1997's Gimcracks and Gewgaws as well.
For related artists, I'd definitely second dobbs on Bob Dorough; he's jazzy and has a very similar vocal vibe. I'd start with 1956's Devil May Care, maybe starting with "I Had The Craziest Dream" or "Jonny One Note."
Also 2nding Blossom Dearie, especially her first 3 albums; she's fabulous, too. Her breathiness is like hearing cotton candy.
I'd add a personal fave: the 1940s recordings of the Nat King Cole trio; incredibly tight piano/guitar/bass and classic fun vocals. This was before Cole went pop with easy listening stuff like "Mona Lisa"; it's smart but accessible jazz that's a blast to listen to. Have fun; you have great taste already!
posted by mediareport at 4:51 PM on August 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Reminds me of a memorable Greg Brown song:
Mose Allison Played Here
posted by miles1972 at 7:55 PM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Mose Allison Played Here
posted by miles1972 at 7:55 PM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Re: why I like Mose Allison, mediareport said it better than I ever could: "I love his smooth voice, the sweet piano trio setting and the laid-back bluesy feel"! Thank you for all the recommendations so far!
posted by fridgebuzz at 1:17 AM on August 28, 2023
posted by fridgebuzz at 1:17 AM on August 28, 2023
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What is it you like about Mose?
posted by dobbs at 6:24 AM on August 27, 2023 [1 favorite]