Mose Allison Finds Success With New Album 'The Way Of The World'

Wednesday March 31, 2010

Mose Allison’s new album The Way Of The World has proven an unequivocal success for the influential and ever iconoclastic jazz/blues artist. Since the record’s March 23rd release, the critical response has been one of unanimous and effusive praise. Even more rewarding is the fact that Allison’s first studio album in 12 years has proven an undeniable hit with music fans. Upon its release the record has garnered the #1 position on the CMJ jazz chart for two weeks running, entered the Amazon.com Jazz chart at #1 and is #3 on the Soundscan Jazz chart. In fact, sales numbers are indicating that The Way Of The World will likely be Allison’s biggest selling non greatest hits album ever. Not bad for a fiery 82 year old hepcat with well over twenty albums under his belt.

Acclaim for Mose Allison’s The Way Of The World:

“Too jazzy for pop, too poppy for jazz and too smartass for either, Allison is a tuneful misfit with a killer songbook (covered by the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Clash). Allison's leathery voice, sharp wit and jaunty piano improvisations remain remarkably undiminished. Theological highlight: the Swiftian "Modest Proposal," which suggests that amid global jihad, we should give all gods a vacation. It's timeless beatnik logic for a beat-up world.” – Rolling Stone

“On his first album in 12 years, the blues pianist's voice has caught up with his attitude; he's now 82, but his sardonic wit and clipped delivery retain their sting."
- Time

“Mose Allison sings like a sage and he's not about to change. He bridges the divides between the blues, pop and jazz on The Way Of The World, his first studio album in 12 years. The common denominator on the 12 cuts is the joy with which Allison tackles the task, humming like a child when not singing like a sage. And he has never played better… Is it possible an octogenarian has made the year's best record? Yes.”
– Associated Press

"The Way of the World is a master's course in songwriting." – American Songwriter

“Allison can still deliver his wry, biting lyrics with unmatched authority and wit" - Chicago Reader

"A late-life triumph” – The New Yorker

"Allison remains sharp as broken glass." - Paste

Mose Allison Artist Page