Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jessica Williams: All Alone

Jessica Williams: All Alone

By Jim Santella
March 1, 2003
View read count

Jessica Williams interprets our favorite standards like no other. She turns “As Time Goes By” into a history lesson, with mental images from the film Casablanca and outside quotes to fill in the cracks. Irving Berlin’s “All Alone” takes on a similar role, as the pianist’s crisp right hand dances lightly to a simple stride left, in search of what has made a century of good music wear so well. Like this lush ballad, the album sashays easily through familiar music that cries out with happiness. As Gene Kelly would dance casually down the street and sing merry songs to passers by, these gentle anthems make an impression on your soul.

“Don’t Explain” carries the most weight, of course. Williams supplies her own interpretation, which explores the future as well as the past. A left hand recollection of the way we were merges naturally with a right hand that’s thirsty for new adventures. The Mingus piece adds more thrills, and then Williams closes out the session with another pensive ballad.

The album captures the essence of the blues, but remains near and dear to the true purpose of improvised art: to create an entity upon which one can rely for inspiration. Four originals change the pace somewhat. Her “The Sheikh” sizzles with an intensity and dramatic beauty not found elsewhere. The excitement rolls out like horsemen charging in all directions to spread the news. Most of the album, however, carries this message to the listener with a slower gait: one that ensures the music will arrive on time and in one piece.

Visit www.jessicawilliams.com .

Track Listing

As Time Goes By; In a Sentimental Mood; Warm Valley; All Alone; They Say It's Wonderful; Don't Explain; Toshiko; The Sheikh; Bill's Beauty; The Quilt; Orange was the Color of Her Dress Then Blue Silk; To Young To Go Steady. (Total Time 62:05).

Personnel

Jessica Williams

piano

Jessica Williams

Album information

Title: All Alone | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: MAXJAZZ

PREVIOUS / NEXT

In A Trio Setting
< Previous

Dear Dorothy: The Oz Sessions
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.