In concert: Mose Allison at Blues Alley

Mose Allison's craftiness was on display Thursday at Blues Alley. (All photos by Evy Mages/FTWP)

By Mike Joyce

At Blues Alley on Thursday night, Mose Allison didn't perform tunes from "The Way Of The World," a widely acclaimed CD released in the spring. Still, the audience was delighted with what he had to offer. The 82-year-old tunesmith and pianist devoted his trio's opening set to songs that have long been part of his singular and sardonic repertoire, some self-penned, others slyly adapted.

The original compositions included two tunes that sum up Allison's lacerating view of contemporary society as well any: "Ever Since The World Ended" and "Monsters Of The Id." No one can accuse Allison of ranting, however: he's too droll and crafty for that. During this show, his southern charm and wit was also reflected in songs composed by John D. Loudermilk and other kindred spirits.

Over a half century ago, Allison lived in New York and shared engagements with Thelonious Monk and numerous be-boppers. Yet his Mississippi roots remains as evident as his modern jazz influences. Like a lot of country blues musicians, he has an elastic sense of time that accommodates his distinctive way of phrasing a lyric. It took less than a minute for him to personalize "Stranger In My Own Hometown," a Percy Mayfield tune later recorded by Elvis Presley, and he pulled off the same trick when revisiting Willie Dixon's "I Love The Life I Live."

Adroitly accompanying Allison were two longtime collaborators: bassist Tommy Cecil and drummer Tony Martucci, who colorfully punctuated the rhythmically tricky arrangements.

The engagement runs through Sunday.