Mose Chronicles: Live in London 1
On this first volume ofThe Mose Chronicles, singer-songwriter and pianist Mose Allison brings his idiosyncratic brand of southern comfort to London for this well-cheered live session. Flanked by a crowd that wholeheartedly embraces both his sardonic drollery and the supple rhythm section of bassist Roy Babbington and drummer Mark Taylor, Allison is in top form in this enthralling program that's characteristically wry and full of sharp wisdom. Mose is always divinely swinging, too, leveraging the hundreds of gigs he's played with this trio. Plain-folk advice marks the jumping "No Trouble Livin'," just as poetic social commentary rivets the sly "Everybody's Cryin' Mercy" and the joyfully apocalyptic "Ever Since the World Ended." Straight-ahead balladry comes to the fore on "Meet Me at No Special Place," an early favorite ofNat King Cole's trio.  Allison's punchy piano style is as effervescent throughout theChroniclesas his singing is backwoods, and it makes for great listening.--John Murph