Customer Reviews

Collage

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I suspect I am partial to Karrin's Kansas City style jazz. This CD is a mixture of styles and tunes which Karrin handles with impeccable style and verve. You simply have to hear her sing Monk's "Ask Me Now" and Clifford Brown's "Joy Spring" to realize what a great talent this girl has.

In the highly competitive world of female jazz singers, it takes a lot of determination, perseverance, marketing savvy, attention to presentation, and sheer moxy to survive let alone succeed--all the more so if you're a stand-up vocalist. Gone are the days when a "natural" like Lady Day, Ella or Sarah would be shepherded by a band leader or producer, under whose eyes she might have the luxury to experiment, jam, make mistakes, woodshed, and grow.

Karrin has a fresh, almost pellucid vocal timbre with a fetching androgynous quality and energetic, aggressive edge. And she definitely has her act together, based on the evidence of this carefully produced session. There's not much left to chance--none of the extemporaneous melodic reinventions of an Ella or Sarah--but her vocalese choruses based on notated jazz solos rank with the best of Jon Hendricks or the Manhattan Transfer. And her scatting on "All of You" and "Cherokee" certainly doesn't hurt. Whether the ventures into "folk" ("Robert Frost," "And So It Goes," and "Here, There, and Everywhere") earn her extra points for virtuosity ("Collage" is an accurate description) or detract from her jazz credentials probably depends on the listener's generation and frame of reference. The sound of female voice and acoustic guitar accompaniment is innocuous but the least uncommon sound in pop music (thankfully, there's no "The Rose"). And it probably shouldn't go unmentioned that for good measure she displays her command of both French ("Autumn Leaves") and Spanish ("Missing a Piece") before salvaging (but hardly restoring) a piece of 60's ephemera called "Live for Life."

What's not to like?

I took a chance on this album, as in I bought it off the rack simply on the hopes that a couple of my favorite songs would be really done well. I give it 5 stars, even though I have a difficult time with albums like this that mix genre's of music. ALL OF YOU really got my attention, then JOY SPRING got me a little more, as that is a difficult chart for singers. I was listening to this in my car, on the freeway when track 8 came on, and I cranked it up really loud as the lead in to CHEROKEE was so soft...glad I left it up...I had to pull over after the end and I played it back-to-back 5 times...That track is the best new jazz track I have heard in many years...do yourself a favor...buy this CD. I must see this lady in person...

I'm very surprised that Karrin Allyson hasn't reached a bigger audience. She has a well-mannered voice and picks some interesting songs to sing. Unlike so many popular singers, she tends to shy away from the "known" songs and picks some unusual ones to cover. The last two songs of this CD - Faltando Um Pedaco and Live for Life - are simply gorgeous. And her covers of the Billy Joel song and the Beatles "Here, There and Everywhere" (okay, this is a "known" song) are quite beautiful. The musicians who back her up give the songs some extra kick. And doesn't the song "Robert Frost" just grow on you? I've been listening to all her other CDs, and I prefer this one over the others. I think it's the song selection.

If you're checking this album out, you're probably already clued in with regard to Karrin Allyson being the best thing to hit vocal jazz in a long time. As the title of the CD suggests, this recording is an eclectic collection of tunes that hang together wonderfully well. Allison's vocals get to the soul of the tunes every time, and her ensemble of musicians is first rate. She never misses. Every tune on this CD is exceptional. I have "Sweet Home Cookin'" as well. Her cover of Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and Jobim's "Dindi" on that CD are themselves worth the price of admission. She's just great.

simply unbelievable. if you have not heard her you have not lived. the best voice since nancy wilson, an outstanding array of styles and mixes, and a delivery that will bring the most sedentary among you to life. i'm still working on getting her to run away with me. . .

I am not one to love mixed genre albums, but there are 3 tracks on this album that make crazy...the best of the lot for me is CHEROKEE...I will probably have to buy another one soon, as this is getting worked hard...this is the best jazz cut I have heard in years...

I hadn't heard much about Ms. Allyson until I read a review of her Ballads tribute album to Coltrane. The Ballads CD is a pure 5 star rating for me. This is just a tad below it, but not enough to get 4 stars. To me, it's her voice and her phrasing-- she sings everything from blues to bop. Between this and her Coltrane CD, I'm hooked. She has apprently begun studio work for a new album that may be released this summer-- I can't wait. The only thing better than the discs is seeing/hearing her live. Find her, see her, hear her, and you'll believe.

I first heard this lady on Pandora and had to track her down. This album is my favorite in that it demonstrates her straight up jazz talents. Many of her other albums are worthy reworkings of pop hits. Karin has a soft vulnerable voice, very listenable, that also swings and skats like a Harlem sister. Her choice of backup is exemplary with all the chairs filled with great performances and she allows her sidemen to fully show their stuff. On this album are super versions of Cherokee and Joy Spring, two classic jazz masterworks; she and her group nail them both with great singing ,solos and above all fresh arrangements. Closer to her other work is Robert Frost, heretofore unknown to me. The song stands by itself as a masterpiece, presenting the angst and longing of every budding artist. By the way, I caught her act once and she wasn't half so impressive without her great backup. She's also easy on the eyes.

I was listening to an out-of-town FM Jazz station and heard this ear catching tune and pleasantly refreshing voice and relaxing instrumentation. I recognized the title and "rummaged" thru Amazon.com and Voila! found this treasure! A huge step away from the "racket" out there, it's a rare find these days to understand the lyrics and not have your ears feeling like they have been thru a demolition excercise! Great listening!