Karrin Allyson

Footprints

Concord Jazz  CCD-22912

          Songstress Karrin Allyson wants to leaves her footprints in Grammy Award history when the music industry's biggest night convenes for its 49th annual meeting on Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Grammy-nominated artist has been nominated for the coveted music trophy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for her latest CD, Footprints (Concord Jazz). Also in the race for top honors are Roberta Gambarini (Easy To Love - Groovin' High/Kindred Rhythm); Nancy Wilson (Turned To Blue - MCG Jazz); Nancy King (Live At Jazz Standard With Fred Hersch - Maxjazz); and Diana Krall (From This Moment On - Verve). (See 2007 Grammy Nominations)

Allyson is no stranger to Grammy nominations. She earned two Grammy nod in 2001 for her tribute album to John Coltrane, Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane (Concord). Footprints is Allyson's tenth release for Concord Records.

The 13-track disc features new lyrics to some jazz instrumental standards including compositions by John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, and others. Allyson was aided in lyric writing by Chris Caswell.

Appearing as guest vocalists on the album are Nancy King (who is also up for a Grammy in the same category) and vocal legend Jon Hendricks (from Lambert, Hendricks and Ross fame). Hendricks not only leant his voice to the CD (on the bouncy Everybody's Boppin'), but also contributed lyrics along with Allyson and Oscar Brown Jr. Also guesting is tenor saxophonist Frank Wess on All You Need To Say, I Can't Say and playing flute on But I was Cool.

Another heartfelt offering from a gifted singer.

Track selections: Something Worth Waiting For (Con Alma), All You Need To Say (Never Say Yes), Lighting (Lazy Bird), A Long Way To Go (Equinox), Strollin', I Found The Turnaround (The Turnaround), Follow The Footprints (Footprints), Life Is A Groove (Jordu), A Tree And Me, I Can't Say (Teaneck), But I Was Cool, Give Me A Break (Unit 7), Everybody's Boppin'.

Recorded at Sear Sound, New York, NY, September 24-29, 2005.

- Stephen Fratallone/Jazz Connection Magazine

Rating:  ****

*****