Karrin Allyson performed a concert of adult pop at the Folly Theater ten months ago. I expected her next release to sound like James Taylor. Instead, she resembles Marilyn Maye on the sophisticated cabaret album Many a New Day: Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Backed by pianist Kenny Barron and bassist John Patitucci, Allyson sings material from The King and I, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music and South Pacific.
Allyson makes it clear that she has no intention of playing it straight on the seemingly unpromising album opener “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’”. Her blues reading of the composition that’s often subject to cornball interpretations demonstrates Allyson’s aversion to cliches. All 14 tracks contain similarly unconventional twists.
Effortlessly sensuous and wise without seeming sanctimonious, Allyson is never overshadowed by the impeccable work of Barron and Patitucci. Many a New Day: Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein is an entirely welcome surprise.
(Original image by Plastic Sax.)
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