The Life of a Song (Geri Allen album)

Last updated
The Life of a Song
The Life of a Song (Geri Allen album).jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 24, 2004
RecordedJanuary 16–17, 2004
Studio Avatar Studio C, New York City
Genre Jazz
Length65:23
Label Telarc CD-83598
Producer Elaine Martone & Geri Allen
Geri Allen chronology
The Gathering
(1998)
The Life of a Song
(2004)
Timeless Portraits and Dreams
(2006)

The Life of a Song is an album by pianist Geri Allen, recorded in 2004 and released on the Telarc label. [1]

Contents

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [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

All compositions by Geri Allen except as indicated

  1. "LWB's House (The Remix)" - 5:52
  2. "Mounts and Mountains" - 8:05
  3. "Lush Life" (Billy Strayhorn) - 8:11
  4. "In Appreciation: A Celebration Song" - 6:09
  5. "The Experimental Movement" - 7:09
  6. "Holdin' Court" - 4:39
  7. "Dance of the Infidels" (Bud Powell) - 4:03
  8. "Unconditional Love" - 5:16
  9. "The Life of a Song" - 5:23
  10. "Black Bottom" - 4:29
  11. "Soul Eyes" (Mal Waldron) - 5:40

Personnel

References

  1. Geri Allen catalog, accessed June 29, 2014
  2. Ouellette, Dan (10 July 2004). "Jazz Notes". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 16. ISSN   0006-2510.
  3. 1 2 Jurek, T., AllMusic Review accessed June 28, 2014
  4. 1 2 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.
  5. Wynn, R., JazzTimes Review, September 2004