Hubby and I got a surprise today and got free tickets to go see Karrin Allyson at Blues Alley tonight-- WHAT A SHOW!!! We'd never heard of her before, but you can now count me as a superfan. If you like Diana Krall's style, Allyson has all her talent and more. I can honestly say I was mesmerized the whole show (which those of you who know me well know to be a statistical impossibility) by her wonderful voice and the masterful playing of the combo backing her, especially her guitarist.
Let's be clear about something here-- this is no flash singing act. Allyson is a musician's musician-- her improv and interpretation skills are second to none. Though the tracks you hear on her albums are stellar, the live performance completely blows them away. She began the set with an Irving Berlin tune and then moved on to the beautiful and sassy O Barquinho (My Little Boat) from her From Paris to Rio album. She then showcased some of the songs from her new album, Footprints, which is a collection of well-known instrumental jazz standards refitted with new lyrics. She then wowed and charmed us with an entrancing version of Under Paris Skies, also from the Paris to Rio album, then left the stage to her combo for a number. She rounded out a great set with a request for O Pato (The Duck), which she skillfully melded with another request for Cat Stevens's Wild World.
Her new CD, Footprints, is really fantastic-- how do I know? I was so excited I bought it on the way out and listened to it all the way home. You can hear some really phenomenal tracks from this album, I Found The Turnaround and Follow the Footprints, on her MySpace site. Go buy her album ASAP-- quick quick little bunny!
