Friday, November 11, 2011

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.

1 comment:

Rebecca said...

No kidding?! Did you really write him?? Very cool!