Happy Birthday to You! Mose Allison

Mose John Allison 

I have no idea what I'm doin'. I've never seen me.

Mose Allison

Today Mose John Allison, the coolest middle class white boy whoever tickled the ivories is 84 years old.  And lest you think he’s sitting with a blanket on his knees staring at the garden, he just played the San Francisco Jazz Festival barely 10 days ago.

His voice may be a bit shakey but his wit is as sharp as a pimp's shoes and his fingers as fluid, tripsy and quick as the day he started.

To honor the man the Washerman’s Dog hit factory put together a collection of 25 Mose Allison all-time great songs.  We sent off an email asking him what he wanted for his birthday and he sent us this response.

I don't want much in this world

It's the simple things I treasure

'Till I die I would get by on fame, riches and sensual pleasure

I don't ask much in this life

No special consideration

Just treat me like His Majesty

Of a friendly OPEC nation

Some people

Just don't know when to stop

Some people

Just won't quit until they reach the top

But I'm so easy going

I'd make my way through life

On love and understanding

From a rich and beautiful wife

Some people

Just never seem to get enough

Some people

Want salvation, paradise and all that stuff

But I'm so easy going

Don't even keep the score

All I want is plenty, but I will take more

If you ask me

I will take more

Say please

And I will

Take more

Happy Birthday Mose!

Track Listing:

01 Foolkiller

02 If You Only Knew (Live)

03 I'm Not Talking (Live)

04 Dinner On the Ground

05 Gettin' There

06 I Know You Didn't Mean It

07 Stroll

08 My Kind of Love

09 Feel So Good

10 Mojo Woman

11 Middle Class White Boy (Live)

12 I'm Alright

13 Your Molecular Structure

14 I Hadn't Anyone Till You

15 Devil In The Cane Field

16 I've Got A Right To Cry

17 Prelude to a Kiss

18 You Call it Joggin'

19 Trouble In Mind

20 I Don't Want Much

21 Ever Since The World Ended (Live)

22 Do Nothin' 'til You Hear From Me

23 The More You Get

24 Top Forty

25 Parchman Farm

Listen here.