Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Karrin Allyson: Footprints

Karrin Allyson: Footprints

By C. Michael Bailey
April 26, 2006
View read count

Jazz vocalist Karrin Allyson has one peer: Cassandra Wilson. Both women have impacted jazz vocals in the last decade, swerving the genre into interesting places. Allyson's most critically acclaimed release, Ballads (Concord, 2001), came after the release of six solid, if less received, releases for the label. This concept recording gave way to forays into sleek blues (In Blue, 2002) and pop jazz (Wild for You, 2004). Allyson returns to the vocalese concept of Ballads with Footprints.

On this recording Allyson takes on modern jazz instrumental classics adapted for vocals. Represented here are Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma" ("Something Worth Waiting For"), John Coltrane's "Lazybird" ("Lightening") and "Equinox" ("A Long Way to Go"), and Wayne Shorter's title cut ("Follow the Footprints"). The lyrics, all newly penned by Chris Caswell, give these songs new personality. Allyson is joined by scat-vocalese masters Jon Hendricks and Nancy King. Hendricks, who performs with Allyson on "Strollin,'" sounds every bit of his 85 years but still scats better than anyone on his trademark, "Everybody's Boppin.'"

Allyson's band is a beauty. Pianist Bruce Barth steers a nominal trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Todd Strait, joined by guests Frank Wess and Nick Phillips. Barth contributes playing on both acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes, the latter on a hopping version of Hank Mobley's "The Turnaround" ("I Found the Turnaround"). "Follow the Footprints" features a muted Phillips and Frank Wess on flute in a light interpretation, as it could only be. Allyson is joined by Nancy King's smoky alto.

It is safe to consider Footprints Karrin Allyson's best recording since Ballads. The inventiveness on display here only whets the appetite of fans expecting more from this productive artist.

Track Listing

Something Worth Waiting For (Con Alma); All You Need To Say (Never Say Yes); Lightning (Lazy Bird); A Long Way To Go (Equinox); Strollin

Personnel

Karrin Allyson

vocals

Karrin Allyson: vocals, shaker; Jon Hendricks: vocals, whistle solo; Nancy King: vocals; Bruce Barth: piano, Fender Rhodes; Peter Washington: bass; Todd Strait: drums; Frank Wess: tenor sax, flute; Nick Phillips: trumpet.

Album information

Title: Footprints | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Concord Music Group

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Remember: A Tribute to Wes Montgomer...
< Previous

Transcendence
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.