by Scott Yanow
Mose Allison recorded six albums as a leader for Prestige during 1957-59, an era when he was better known as a jazz pianist than as a folk/country blues vocalist and masterful lyricist. On this CD reissue of his final Prestige date, Allison (in a trio with bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Ronnie Free) performs seven instrumentals (including &It's Crazy,& &Autumn Song& and &Groovin' High&) but it is the three vocals (&Eyesight To The Blind,& &That's All Right& and Duke Ellington's &Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me&) that are most memorable. One realizes why Allison was soon emphasizing his vocals; he was a much more distinctive singer than pianist although his piano playing was actually pretty inventive. This is an excellent all-round set.