Testimonial (album)

Testimonial
Studio album by
Carl Allen
Released1995
GenreJazz, gospel
LabelAtlantic[1]
ProducerCarl Allen, Yves Beauvais
Carl Allen chronology
The Pursuer
(1994) 		Testimonial
(1995)

Testimonial is an album by the American drummer Carl Allen, released in 1995.[2][3] It combines the musical styles of jazz and gospel.[4] Allen supported the album with a North American tour.[5]

Production

Allen wrote the majority of the songs.[6] "Come Sunday" is a cover of the Duke Ellington song.[7] "Holy Land" was written by Cedar Walton.[8] Cyrus Chestnut played the organ.[9] Kevin Mahogany sang on "A City Called Heaven".[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Calgary HeraldC[12]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[13]
MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide[6]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD[14]

Westword called the album a mostly successful attempt "to infuse creative jazz with a heavy dose of spirituality."[7] The Calgary Herald determined that, "as a drummer, [Allen] has little more to offer than brawn and metronomic timing."[12] The Ottawa Citizen noted that "trumpeter Nicholas Payton has begun making his name with fiery, flawless playing."[15]

The Washington Post wrote that "Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting" "boasts an infectious melody and has Allen sounding like a whole church full of hand-clapping worshipers."[16] The Globe and Mail stated that Allen "explores the hidden and not-so-hidden connections between gospel music and hard bop."[17] The New York Times deemed Testimonial "a religious concept album" on which "everyone is reluctant to relinquish his be-bop cool."[18]

AllMusic wrote that there's "nothing in particular wrong with the music, which is heartily played and deeply felt ... except for the fact that it's covering ground that's been pretty much trampled into dust."[11]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Come Sunday" 
2."Holy Land" 
3."The Message" 
4."Foot Pattin'" 
5."Testimonial" 
6."The Sacrifice" 
7."The Presence of Dr. B" 
8."Relativity" 
9."Storefront Revival" 
10."Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting" 
11."Dark & Lovely" 
12."A City Called Heaven" 

References

  1. ^ Giddins, Gary (May 18, 2000). Visions of Jazz: The First Century. Oxford University Press.
  2. ^ Saunders, Michael (24 June 1995). "Four happy hours with jazz rooted in Sunday spirituals". Arts & Film. The Boston Globe. p. 27.
  3. ^ Panken, Ted. "An Overdue Ovation for Carl Allen". JazzTimes.
  4. ^ Helland, Dave (Aug 1995). "Jazz swings the gospel". DownBeat. Vol. 62, no. 8. p. 10.
  5. ^ Moss, Khalid (2 Aug 1996). "Jazz Quintet Pays Dayton First Visit". Go!. Dayton Daily News. p. 9.
  6. ^ a b MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 20.
  7. ^ a b Gruno, Linda. "Playlist". Westword.
  8. ^ McNally, Owen (13 July 1995). "Testimonial Carl Allen". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 4.
  9. ^ Chapman, Geoff (September 16, 1995). "Jazz". Toronto Star. p. H18.
  10. ^ Roe, Jon (May 13, 1995). "'Testimonial', Carl Allen". The Wichita Eagle. p. 5C.
  11. ^ a b "Carl Allen Testimonial". AllMusic.
  12. ^ a b Brennan, Brian (27 May 1995). "Carl Allen: Testimonial". Calgary Herald. p. E4.
  13. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. p. 121.
  14. ^ The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD. Penguin Books Ltd. 2000. pp. 27–28.
  15. ^ Hum, Peter (24 June 1995). "Keepin' the faith". Ottawa Citizen. p. F3.
  16. ^ Himes, Geoffrey (2 June 1995). "Allen's Heated 'Testimonial'". The Washington Post. p. N12.
  17. ^ Miller, Mark (3 June 1995). "Testimonial Carl Allen". The Globe and Mail. p. C9.
  18. ^ Scherman, Tony (June 25, 1995). "Jazz Briefs". The New York Times. p. 2.32.