Mose Allison - Collectables Classics (Box) (CD)

All Music Guide

Collectables Classics does their typical random packaging here, placing 62 tracks six entire albums on four discs, with no strategy or purpose other than licensing what was available. No one's really complaining, it's just that most of these albums have all been issued on CD already so the hardcore fans already have them. Anyway, what's here are the fulllengths of Mose Allison's Atlantic and Elektra sides. There's I Don't Worry About a Thing (1962) packaged with Mose Alive (1965); Wild Man on the Loose (1966); Western Man (1971) doubled with Mose in Your Ear (1974); and finally, Allison's "comeback" record for Elektra Musician Middle Class White Boy (1982). This is a heady dose of Allison from a variety of periods to be sure, but it's curious as to see who goes for it. As an introduction to the great pianist, singer, and songwriter, his Prestige sides (most of which have already appeared on CD and are available as of 2006) and the first of these discs are advisable. The later music is eclectic and swinging, but caters to a more experienced Allison ear.

- Thom Jurek, All Music Guide