Some Of That Sunshine

Reviewed: 2018-08-23
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: Downbeat gives it 4 stars: “There are so many ways to savor Karrin Allyson’s artistry. Start with her voice, its rare clarity and resonant timbre. She phrases impeccably, staying close to the melody, except on the occasional scat chorus. The flip side is that, more than most of her peers, she shies away from any blues influence. These qualities make every moment on Some Of That Sunshine unmistakably Allyson. As does her writing. Each track is concise with her band providing perfect support. The solos are not about stretching out; their purpose is to frame the lyric and bring out the luster in Allyson’s performance.” Plus several notable jazz stars contribute additional flourishes. It’s hard not to put a star next to every track.
If You Like: Bonnie Raitt, Nina Simone, Carmen McCrae, Etta James
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ Wish You Were Mine (4:09) – Rhodes starts> midtempo strutting song> piano solo> guitar solo> midtempo song> slow fade
2/ Home (4:21) – electric piano starts> slow song> piano solo> slow song> quick stop
3/ So Long As I Know You Love Me (4:31) – piano starts> slow torch song> slow fade
**4/ Some Of That Sunshine (4:56) – piano starts> slow song swings to midtempo> guitar solo> violin solo> piano solo> midtempo song> scat solo> slow fade
*5/ Shake It Up (4:18) – bass starts> funky midtempo song with chorus> organ solo> piano solo> uptempo song> quick fade
*6/ Just As Well (4:32) – bass starts> slow song> sax solo> slow song> slow fade
7/ Time Is a Funny Thing (5:00) – piano chords start> slow song> gorgeous piano/bass duet> slow song> pause> slow fade
8/ One Of Those Days (4:36) bass starts> midtempo funky song> organ solo> midtempo song> fade on chorus
*9/ Nobody Said Love Was Easy (4:03) – drums start> midtempo song> sax solo> midtempo song> fade
10/ Happy Now (5:36) – piano starts> slow song> piano solo> slow song> fade
*11/ Right Here Right Now (4:30) – drums start> uptempo strutting song on a one might stand> electric guitar solo> sax solo> uptempo song> slow fade
12/ You Don’t Care (3:51) – piano starts> slow song on faded love> violin solo> slow song> fade
*13/ Big Discount (3:03) – piano/violin starts> uptempo song on #MeToo> scat solo mixed with violin solo> uptempo song> crescendo end