Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Karrin Allyson: Ballads - Remembering John Coltrane

Karrin Allyson: Ballads - Remembering John Coltrane

By Jim Santella
June 1, 2001
View read count

Karrin Allyson: Ballads - Remembering John Coltrane

"Naima" and two other ballads that John Coltrane recorded have been appended to the program line-up borrowed from his 1960-61 album Ballads. It is Karrin Allyson's plan to pay homage to Coltrane by recreating that influential album. James Carter, Bob Berg and Steve Wilson lend a significant hand; a solid rhythm section backs her up appropriately; and Allyson succeeds in creating a sterling tribute album that's neither imitative nor retro-productive.

Allyson assumes the spiritual role of Coltrane's saxophone on "Naima," with wordless vocals that lead the trio with her along mystical trails. Capturing the sounds that originally inspired her devotion to jazz, the singer pours this one straight from the heart. Saxophonist Carter blends with her to create an insurmountable homage. Elsewhere, Allyson's natural storytelling ease brings her 7th album as a leader in line with her respectable body of work. This past decade, she's honored others —such as Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald —through her performances. These ballads, associated with John Coltrane, allow Allyson to give the stories a fresh look. Perky, leaving no doubt as to intended expression, and surrounded by an all-star ensemble, the singer delivers more proof that she's at the very top of vocal jazz.

Track Listing

Say It (Over and Over Again); You Don't Know What Love Is; Too Young to Go Steady; All or Nothing At All; I Wish I Knew; What's New; It's Easy to Remember; Nancy (with the Laughing Face); Naima; Why Was I Born?; Every Time We Say Goodbye.

Personnel

Karrin Allyson

vocals

Karrin Allyson-vocals, piano on "I Wish I Knew;" James Williams-piano; John Patitucci-acoustic bass; Lewis Nash-drums; Bob Berg, James Carter-tenor saxophone; Steve Wilson-soprano saxophone.

Album information

Title: Ballads - Remembering John Coltrane | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Concord Music Group

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Mats Gustafsson / Paul Lovens Duo & ...
< Previous

Buddy Childers
Next >

Karrin Allyson Concerts

Sep 27 Sat

Jazz Fest Day

Northampton Jazz Festival
Northampton, MA

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.