Down south (3:51). This world is a mean world (5:45) The werk song (4:47) Hammer and hoe (4:21) You don't know me (5:05) Jackie and Johnny (3:24) Mickey and Mallory (3:28) A mouthful of forevers (3:35) The Battle of Blair Mountain (3:47) Irene (Mother) (3:31) Down south (3:51).
Summary:
Together with Americana: Musings on Jazz and Blues, and Barracoon, two of JD Allen's previous Savant releases, Volume 2 forms a trilogy of sorts, exploring and encapsulating a universal spirit based in roots and reflection. But despite the profound political, racial, financial, and historic issues examined by Allen and company, at the central musical core of all three recordings is the underestimated but crucial role the blues has played in the history of jazz and how it continues to evolve and influence the art form today. Here the blues not only provides a welcome outlet for tension and gentle melodicism, but it also gives us an unflinching look into deep-seated and long-lived injustices, particularly via the almost expressionistic utterances of three trio-only tracks. Once again JD Allen shows himself to be a player and composer as remarkable for his directness of communication as he is for the sometimes-unforgiving sternness of his message.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.