Mose Allison Honors The Who At Carnegie Hall Concert
In anticipation of the 3/23 release of his phenomenal new album The Way of the World on Anti-Records, legendary jazz/blues artist and sardonic social commentator Mose Allison performed last night at Carnegie Hall's "Tribute to the Who" concert. At an event featuring punk icon Patti Smith as well as Bettye LaVette, Robyn Hitchcock, The Gaslight Anthem, Bob Mould and others performing songs by the revered English band, Allison instead performed his own song "Young Man Blues," which the Who immortalized on their blistering concert recording "Live At Leeds.". Rolling Stone Magazine observed of the Carnegie Hall show, "Mose Allison, looking pretty spry for 82, was the only performer who did an original. He played "Young Man Blues" (which was a staple of the Who's set list in the 1960s and '70s) and its recent sequel "Old Man Blues."
The Mississippi born Allison has long been sighted as a key influence by the English rock community with artists such as the Who, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Clash and others sighting Allison's unique music as an integral part of their musical development. It is a relationship which Allison is deeply appreciative of. "The English rockers saved my life," Allison explained recently to GQ Magazine. "And they've made me acquainted with a younger audience. Pete Townshend, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt... They kept me from falling into obscurity."
American Songwriter Magazine called Allison's new Joe Henry produced The Way of the World, "a master's course in songwriting" while Downbeat wrote. "No one will be disappointed in the subversive mix of irony and cracker-barrel attitude he's pulled together here - After a decade of silence, it's a treat to have Allison back in action and in form."