The State of Jazz Lyricists 2010: Mose Allison and Jim Pearce

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

Recent articles (1,695 total)

Published: April 5, 2010

This continues through similarly structured songs, "I Hastes Yo Leave Ya, But I Gots To Went" and "Sasquatch Is Falling In Love." Instrumentally, Pearce's compositions are equally happy and good natured. "Refried and Bona Fide" is a progressive "The In Crowd" sort of piece that defies its funky and creative title. Pearce is a full-bodied composer who can deftly write anything. Two sides of the same coin, Allison and Pearce have few musicians coming up behind them to continue this tradition of jazz vocal composition. Who is on the horizon?

Visit Jim Pearce on the web.

Tracks and Personnel

The Way of the World

Tracks: My Brain; I Know You Don't Mean It; Everybody Thinks You're An Angel; Let It Come Down; Modest Proposal; Crush; Some Right, Some Wrong; The Way Of The World; Ask Me Nice; Once In A While; Alright; This New Situation.

Personnel: Mose Allison: vocals, piano; Greg Leisz: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandola; Anthony Wilson: electric guitar; Walter Smith III: tenor saxophone; David Piltch: upright bass; Jay Bellerose: drums, percussion.

I'm In The Twilight Of A Mediocre Career

Tracks: Let's Run Away; I'm In The Twilight Of A Mediocre Career; Noodlearity; Here I Am Dreaming Rainbows; Almost To Brazil; I Hates To Leaves Ya But I Gots To Went; Just Another Spring Song; Refried And Bona Fide; Sasquatch Is Falling In Love; Happy Keys.

Personnel: Jim Pearce: piano, vocals (1, 2, 5, 7, 10); Herman Burney: bass; Paul Fallat: drums; Eric South: saxophone and flute; Joe Gransden: trumpet; Ken Gregory: guitar (3, 10) background vocals (7); Robert Dickson: bass (5); Rafawl Pereira: percussion (6).

View All 1 2