''I Didn't Know About You'' is the debut studio album by American jazz singer
Karrin Allyson
Karrin Allyson (pronounced ''KAR-in''; born Karrin Allyson Schoonover on July 27, 1963) is an American jazz vocalist. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and has received positive reviews from several prominent sources, including the ' ...
. The album was released in 1992 via Concord Jazz label. She has remained with Concord Jazz for her next 13 albums issued through 2011.
Reception
Jack Fuller of the ''
Chicago Tribune
The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...
'' stated: "This young singer is terrific. Part cabaret, part
Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson (born December 4, 1955) is an American jazz singer, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi. She is one of the most successful female Jazz singers and has been described by critic Gary Giddins as "a singer blessed wi ...
, Karrin Allyson has a lovely musical range and a sharp, clear, slightly nasal voice which is capable of stunning scat and other instrumental effects as well as the straight, lyrical approach. Here, she also shows her gifts as an arranger. Some of the interplay she sets up with the small group with which she performs is memorable."
Scott Yanow
Scott Yanow (born October 4, 1954) is an American jazz reviewer, historian, and author.Allmusic Biography/ref>
Biography
Yanow was born in New York City and grew up near Los Angeles.
Since 1974, he was a regular reviewer of many jazz styles an ...
of
Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
wrote: "This CD was the debut of the talented singer Karrin Allyson, a creative scat singer also very capable of holding her own on ballads. She primarily utilizes top Kansas City musicians (including pianists Paul Smith, Russ Long and Joe Cartwright, guitarists Danny Embrey and Rod Fleeman, bassists Bob Bowman and Gerald Spaits, drummer Todd Strait, cornetist Gary Sivils and flugelhornist Mike Metheny) on a variety of bop-based material. Among the highlights are '
Nature Boy
"Nature Boy" is a song first recorded by American jazz singer Nat King Cole. It was released on March 29, 1948, as a single by Capitol Records, and later appeared on the album, ''The Nat King Cole Story''. It was written by eden ahbez as a tri ...
,' Karrin's chancetaking duet with drummer Strait on '
What a Little Moonlight Can Do
"What a Little Moonlight Can Do" is a popular song written by Harry M. Woods in 1934. In 1934, Woods moved to London for three years where he worked for the British film studio Gaumont British, contributing material to several films, one of which ...
,' a rapid version of '
'S Wonderful
"S Wonderful" is a 1927 popular song composed by George Gershwin, with lyrics written by Ira Gershwin. It was introduced in the Broadway musical ''Funny Face'' (1927) by Adele Astaire and Allen Kearns.
The song is considered a standard and has b ...
' and a bossa-novatized '
It Might As Well Be Spring
"It Might as Well Be Spring" is a song from the 1945 film ''State Fair''. which features the only original film score by the songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. "It Might as Well Be Spring" won the Academy Award for Best ...
.' Karrin Allyson, who also plays piano on three numbers, shows a great deal of potential throughout her rewarding debut."
Track listing
Personnel
Band
*Karrin Allyson – piano, vocals, producer
*Doug Auwarter – percussion
*Bob Bowman – bass
*Joe Cartwright – piano
*Danny Embrey – guitar (electric), producer
*Rod Fleeman – guitar (acoustic)
*Bryan Hicks – vocals
*Russ Long – composer, piano
*
Mike Metheny – flugelhorn
*Gary Sivils – cornet
*Paul E. Smith – piano
*Gerald Spaits – bass
*Todd Strait – drums, percussion
Production
*John Blank – engineer
*Bill McGlaughlin – liner notes
*Ron Ubel – engineer
References
{{Authority control
1992 debut albums
Karrin Allyson albums