The Life of a Song is an album by pianist Geri Allen, recorded in 2004 and released on the Telarc label.[1]
| The Life of a Song | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 24, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | January 16–17, 2004 | |||
| Studio | Avatar Studio C, New York City | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 65:23 | |||
| Label | Telarc CD-83598 | |||
| Producer | Elaine Martone & Geri Allen | |||
| Geri Allen chronology | ||||
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The album reunited Allen with drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Dave Holland; they had previously performed together on vocalist Betty Carter's live 1993 album, Feed the Fire.[2]
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz | [4] |
AllMusic stated: "This is a trio date that has all the elements: an indefatigable lyricism and honesty of emotion, as well as beautiful colors and deft, even uncanny engagements among the three principals. What a welcome return for Allen, who expertly displays she's been refining her chops and listening deeply to her Muse these past six years".[3] The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded it 4 stars, calling it "a graceful mixture of originals and standards that not only reference past performances but create a shimmering unity of sound that one can readily imagine hovering in the ether long after the record is over".[4]
JazzTimes stated: "Although Geri Allen's versions of standards are marvelously performed, it is her originals that distinguish The Life of a Song. She's writing fresh, distinctive songs that are made even better when performed by a master trio".[5]
Track listing
editAll compositions by Geri Allen except as indicated
- "LWB's House (The Remix)" - 5:52
- "Mounts and Mountains" - 8:05
- "Lush Life" (Billy Strayhorn) - 8:11
- "In Appreciation: A Celebration Song" - 6:09
- "The Experimental Movement" - 7:09
- "Holdin' Court" - 4:39
- "Dance of the Infidels" (Bud Powell) - 4:03
- "Unconditional Love" - 5:16
- "The Life of a Song" - 5:23
- "Black Bottom" - 4:29
- "Soul Eyes" (Mal Waldron) - 5:40
Personnel
edit- Geri Allen - piano
- Dave Holland - bass
- Jack DeJohnette - drums
- Marcus Belgrave - flugelhorn (track 11)
- Dwight Andrews - saxophone (track 11)
- Clifton Anderson - trombone (track 11)
References
edit- ^ Geri Allen catalog, accessed June 29, 2014
- ^ Ouellette, Dan (10 July 2004). "Jazz Notes". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 16. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ a b Jurek, T., AllMusic Review accessed June 28, 2014
- ^ a b Cook, Richard; Brian Morton (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. The Penguin Guide to Jazz (8th ed.). London: Penguin. pp. 22. ISBN 0141023279.
- ^ Wynn, R., JazzTimes Review, September 2004