Timeless Portraits and Dreams
Studio album by
Geri Allen
ReleasedAugust 22, 2006
RecordedMarch 16–17, 2006
StudioAvatar Studio A, New York City
GenreJazz
Length62:11
LabelTelarc CD-83645
ProducerElaine Martone & Geri Allen
Geri Allen chronology
The Life of a Song
(2004) 		Timeless Portraits and Dreams
(2006) 		Flying Toward the Sound
(2008)

Timeless Portraits and Dreams is an album by pianist Geri Allen recorded in 2006 and released on the Telarc label.[1]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]
The Guardian[3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz[4]

Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars, stating: "Geri Allen's musical interests prove to be quite diverse in Timeless Portraits and Dreams, delving into jazz, spirituals, sacred works and originals... While some jazz fans may prefer to hear Geri Allen in a strictly instrumental setting, they will miss out if they fail to investigate these stimulating sessions. Highly recommended".[2] The Guardian review by John Fordham awarded the album 4 stars, observing: "Everything else on the album is uplifting – in the most free and least doctrinal sense".[3] JazzTimes stated: "Allen’s unique, distinctive keyboard style shines brightly throughout this recording".[5] All About Jazz enthused: "Throughout Timeless Portraits and Dreams, Allen's piano and Carter's bass keep the listener engaged. Cobb's drum work is subtle but effective. Lundy, Walden, Roney, Shirley and the Atlanta Jazz Chorus supplement the trio with great results".[6] The Penguin Guide to Jazz acknowledged Allen's ambition, but commented that "the sheer grandness of some of these structures is their undoing".[4]

Track listing

All compositions by Geri Allen except as indicated

  1. "Oh, Freedom" (Traditional) – 1:52
  2. "Melchezedik" (Antoine Roney) – 7:06
  3. "Portraits and Dreams" – 2:24
  4. "Well Done" (Kenny Lattimore, Pat McClain) – 5:14
  5. "La Strada" (Nino Rota) – 4:20
  6. "I Have a Dream" (Mary Lou Williams) – 2:24
  7. "Nearly" (Ron Carter) – 4:27
  8. "In Real Time" (Allen, Wallace Roney) – 5:40
  9. "Embraceable You" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 2:45
  10. "Ah-Leu-Cha" (Charlie Parker) – 4:48
  11. "Just for a Thrill" (Lil Hardin Armstrong) – 4:21
  12. "Our Lady (For Billie Holiday)" – 5:54
  13. "Timeless Portraits and Dreams" – 5:04
  14. "Portraits and Dreams (Reprise)" – 1:39
  15. "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (James Weldon Johnson, John Rosamond Johnson) – 3:52 Bonus CD single

Personnel

References

  1. ^ Geri Allen catalog, accessed June 30, 2014
  2. ^ a b Dryden, K., Allmusic Review accessed June 30, 2014
  3. ^ a b Fordham, J., The Guardian Review, October 20, 2006
  4. ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
  5. ^ Perkins, T., JazzTimes Review, November 2006
  6. ^ Wilkins, W., All About Jazz Review, November 9, 2006
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