KARRIN ALLYSON — Wild for You (review)

KARRIN ALLYSON — Wild for You album cover Album · 2004 · Vocal Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Matti P
KARRIN ALLYSON (b. 1963 in Great Bend, Kansas) is among those numerous female jazz vocalists I've discovered via public library, though I've only listened to this album and Footprints (2006); her debut is from 1993. Wild for You is a 13-song set that mainly covers adult pop oriented tunes of the 70's. Pianist Gil Goldstein has made the rather relaxed and spatial arrangements featuring the dominant piano, acoustic and electric guitars, electric piano, bass and drums.

The Joni Mitchell songs 'All I Want' and 'Help Me' suit extremely well for Allyson's natural, warm and flexible vocal style. I like the slight smokey element in her voice. I don't remember hearing James Taylor's 'Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight' but this slow jazz version with a late night feel reminiscent of Sinatra's 'One for My Baby and One More for the Road' sounds just right.

Allyson has no trouble at all interpreting familiar songs such as the Cat Stevens evergreen 'Wild World' or Elton John's sad ballad 'Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word' as sincerely herself, and Goldstein's elegant arrangements rely on the power of the songs themselves, without trying to make them scream jazz all over the place. A more demanding listener with a fondness for complex time signatures and unpredictability might find this album a bit too lame. But for example 'Help Me' contains a long, improvisatory piano solo in the finest jazz spirit. This is a solid (if very gentle) jazz album, not a plain pop cover album. For its moods it is oriented to gentleness and intimacy, well demonstrated in Jim Webb's 'The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress'. The album title should be taken sensually -- compare the cover photo --, without expecting wild musical expression.

The few faster tracks such as 'Feel Like Makin' Love' give the needed dynamics while staying within an accessible territory. Ewan MacColl's 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' has gained lovely interpretations from e.g. Roberta Flack and George Michael, and this version is among my own Top Three.

3½ stars for this pleasant album, but as the YouTube is now playing me other finely arranged tunes from this artist, I believe that All Music Guide is right about not rating this one among Allyson's strongest albums. A good starting point nevertheless.
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