Customer Reviews

Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Karrin Allyson sings with such feeling, her delivery is silky smooth with so much style thrown in, a perfect blend. What's so interesting about this CD ~ "Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane", is the fact each tune is interpretated with just the right ingredients. Her setting for "SAY IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN", so special ~ "TOO YOUNG TO GO STEADY", lyrics ring true ~ "ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL", an early Sinatra hit during the big band era, just listen to this arrangement and the syncopated rhythm underlay-tempo Karrin gives this one ~ "IT'S EASY TO REMEMBER", with an easy-does-it approach ~ "NANCY (WITH THE LAUGHING FACE)", another beautiful ballad during Sinatra's reign, the piano background is so soothing ~ but the highlight, is the John Coltrane composition "NAIMA", mesmirizing effect has you drifting, drifting into deep unconsciousness, simply saturates each emotion ~ can't say enough about each track, except she gives you the impression you're hearing them for the very first time.

Hats off to ~ James Williams (piano), John Patitucci (acoustic bass), Lewis Nash (drums), Bob Berg (tenor sax), James Carter (tenor sax), Steven Wilson (soprano sax) ~ less we not forget Nick Phillips (producer), Glen Barros & John Burk (executive producers), Josiah Gluch (recording/mixing engineer) and Concord Jazz who has been there with Karrin from the very beginning ~ each recording gets better and better, enjoyable memories of Coltrane's career through the eyes of our young talented artist ~ KARRIN ALLYSON!

Total Time: 61:44 on 11 Tracks ~ Concord Jazz CCD-4950-2 ~ (2001)

This should be the recording that finally gives Karrin Allyson the big-time recognition she has so long deserved. She has come fully into her own with this gorgeous re-imagining of Coltrane's landmark recordings. Karrin's intelligent musicianship and pristine ear are evident throughout, and though her physical vocal range is rather limited, she surprises the listener with some of the most beautiful and perfectly placed high notes you're likely to hear on any vocal jazz recording. Her husky timbre will remind you of a sax at times, and if you listen to "Naima" (in my opinion the best track on this disc, requiring an incredible amount of vocal skill to pull off so effectively), the horn and the voice are indistinguishable from each other. Karrin's emotional interpretations are sensitive and mature as well. I recommend this CD highly for jazz fans, fans of great singing, and even to listeners who are new to jazz. Karrin Allyson is a great place to start - she has arrived, at last, into the upper echelon of the finest vocalists in the business. I think she's there to stay!

How could anyone, let alone a coy Midwestern young woman who's transplanted herself in New York, attempt to do the entire "Ballads" album by The John Coltrane Quartet, with tenor players and the tunes all lined up in order (although no A and B sides for us old timers).

Quite simply, KARRIN ALLYSON (say it CAR-in, not like Karen), uses the original lyrics Coltrane played (mostly, except on "Nancy", Sinatra's tune about his young daughter, where Karrin looks on as a man adores his little girl) and incredibly, just like Coltrane and Tyner, she and James Williams get right down deep into the EMOTIONAL CORE of these tunes, bringing out nuances referencing Trane, but also ones he could only hint at or make allusions to with his elegantly muscular tenor sound.

Allyson has her own deep strength and knows how to use it, with her voice, not as sweet and innocent as her first several Concord albums, but more lustrous and rich. She is a musician who uses her voice, no mere singer. She actually adds to my undying love of The Coltrane Quartet's original "Ballads". To me, this is nothing less than a magnificient achievement. NOTE TO GRAMMY MEMBERS: Here's your front-runner by a long shot.

Buy this Karrin Allyson release. Check out her previous, light airy stuff on "From Paris to Rio" after you dig deep into "Ballads" -- a CD you'll listen to, I promise, over and over again.

Rob Klotz, KANU Jazz in the Night, University of Kansas

I suppose some impatience is understandable when someone does a tribute to John Coltrane. There will never be another Trane, and he set a high standard, to say the least. But most of these songs are standards that belong to vocalists at least as much as they do to Trane. The ravishing first number, "Say It (Over and Over Again)," not recorded by singers all that often, is a particular favorite of mine. Tenor man James Carter's contribution is controversial, and his playing certainly isn't going to remind anyone of Coltrane, stylistically. But I think it was wise to avoid trying to be too evocative of Coltrane - that would never work. Carter goes off in other directions, some of which sound weird at first, but eventually his playing appealed to me. James Williams makes a fine contribution on piano as well.

Potential buyers should realize that they don't have to pick between Coltrane's Ballads album and Karrin Allyson's tributes. It's not a competition - you should have them both. If you loved Trane's album, surely you would be interested in a good vocal version, unless you just don't like jazz vocals. Karrin Allyson's CD is as good a new vocal album as I've heard so far in 2001, and it will be sharing a lot of time in the CD player with the Coltrane album.

Verbal expression and tonal patterns exist in different universes, but my personal reaction to this CD was very positive. I liked her voice. I liked how the lyrics and the tonal element melded. This CD made an emotional dent in me (and I'm usually curiously examining the structures in music I listen to -- not expecting an emotional response). I listen to so much music in the course of a day (don't we all!) that it's not very easy to penetrate the 'blur'... Incidentally, I discovered Karrin Allyson in the course of an interview on public radio; she seems like a very intelligent, sensitive, and meticulous person, in addition to having a great voice. As someone who never appreciated Coultrane before, she has made me want to LISTEN to his music with a lot more attention than I might have before...

If there is a vocalist poised to occupy a place along side of Diana Krall, it is Karrin Allyson. Inspired by John Coltrane's legendary "Ballads" album, vocalist Karrin Allyson puts her own personal and indelible stamp on the same eight, sublime ballads that Coltrane immortalized in his classic early 60's recording - which includes such standards as "Say It (Over and Over Again)", "You Don't Know What Love Is", "Too Young To Go Steady", and "All or Nothing at All". As a bonus, Karrin also performs three additional ballads associated with the saxophone giant, including Coltrane's own haunting, masterpiece composition "Naima". With an accompanying ensemble of today's finest jazz instrumentalists on board - James Williams (piano), John Patitucci (bass), Lewis Nash (drums), and special guest saxophonists Bob Berg, James Carter, and Steve Wilson - Karrin's singing is also inspired by the company she keeps. And she, in turn, clearly sparks and inspires the performances of her consummate cohorts. With Ballads - Remembering John Coltrane - her most intimate and daring recording project to date - Karrin Allyson at once honors Coltrane's inescapable, lyrical influence, while making each song uniquely her own.

...and this trubute to John Coltran is a beautiful listening experience. Coltrane's classic 1962 recording is without a doubt one of the greatest examples of American jazz -- and it obviously has a place in Karrin Allyson's heart and soul.

For this outing, she has recorded her vocal renditions of the eight ballads on Coltrane's original release (even retaining the same track order), and added three others that are also associated with him. The arrangements are simple, in the spirit of those on the original: Allyson's voice is backed wonderfully by piano, acoustic bass and drums, with three fine sax players completng the ensemble.

Karrin's voice is a beautiful, compelling instrument itself -- she caresses these tunes in such a way that we can feel her love of this music. I think those who fault her vocal abilities by comparing her to classic jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald are doing her a disservice -- every singer has their own range and style, and Allyson is without a doubt very talented and expressive. She has learned to use her abilities very well and to great effect -- and, after all, how many Ellas can there be in the world? In my opinion, there are few singers who could have taken on such a daunting project as this and pulled it off as successfully as Karrin Allyson has.

This is a recording I know I will be enjoying for years to come, and one of the best jazz vocal performances I've come across in many years.

Karrin Allyson is a singer who, with her sexy-virgin voice and impeccable musicality would be of interest any time, but this pairing of Allyson and ballads associated with John Coltrane is particularly felicitous. Allyson's style, which balances always on the edge of pop without ever falling over, merges with the rather stern aestheticism of Coltrane to give this album the peculiar tension which makes it an unqualified success. James Carter, Bob Berg and Steve Wilson offer invaluable support, although to call Carter's flamboyant scene-stealing "support" may be something of an understatement.

I have recently started listening to Karrin Allyson and I just love what she does!! She is a true artist, pianist and singer. Why she isn't hyped up like the "overhyped" Krall and Monheit is beyond me. This woman is also a wonderful improviser she can scat with the best of them. Put her in a room with the past great ladies of jazz and she could definitely hold her own. Keep it up!! Lady!! This CD is a must have. I already have the original Coltrane ballads, (along with just about everything else he has recorded). Having a vocal interpretation of these songs long associated with him is wonderful and an idea long overdue. I am glad that Karrin, a vocalist worthy of doing this project decided to do this CD. She retained everything in the original recording and then added something new. One can't approach Coltrane unless one knows what they are doing. And Allyson definitely knew what she was doing. Also congrats to her on her Grammy nomination!!

Being a huge Trane fan I was naturally drawn to this disc and in the process discoverred the talents and sultry voice of Karrin Allyson. Similar in style to her contemporary female jazz vocalist Diana Krall, I found Allyson a pleasant surprise who works within her limits, not attempting to " out jazz " the original recordings of the classic album by Coltrane entitled "Ballads ." One of the strengths of this beautiful disc is the fine work by the sidemen accompaning her on the tracks, again they do not try to overplay more than the original album but seem to play in a lovely restrained style, as though paying homage to the original. Allyson's voice is soft and sultry, all the while firm and solid and sophisticated with a complete understanding of the genre, allowing the other musicians to interact, giving room for improvisation before bringing it all back home. Although the songs are on the melancoloy side , Allyson's voice brings a bright texture to the table. Her use of scat singing is suttle and blended perfectly for a delightful mixture of vocalese and traditional vocals. She obviously was very familiar with the Coltrane songs and does a magnificent job of interpreting them. Her version of "What's New " begins with a deep resonnace in her voice that sounds like the original phrasings by Coltrane himself. She goes on to leave a hauntingly indelible Coltrane print, further enhanced by the fine sax work by Bob Berg. She does a magnificent job of using her voice as an instrument resulting in a harmonious production that is oustanding. "Naima", the classic Coltrane song penned for his wife is performed with exquisite grace, resulting in an amazing rendition that illustrates her impeccable technique. Nothing is forced, the music flows naturally as though Coltrane were directing. Fans of Coltrane and the lovely, female vocalist Karin Allyson should not miss this standout album of traditional jazz.