Happy 35th – Mose Allison, MIDDLE CLASS WHITE BOY

35 years ago today, Mose Allison began the recording of his 1982 album MIDDLE CLASS WHITE BOY…and 35 years ago tomorrow, he finished it.

Say what you will about the man, but you can’t say he didn’t work fast when he wanted to.

At the time Allison released MIDDLE CLASS WHITE BOY, it had been six years since he’d released an album, so you can imagine that his fans were champing at the bit to hear what he’d readied for their listening enjoyment. Teaming with guitarist Phil Upchurch and saxophonist Joe Farrell, Allison delivered 11 tracks, four of which were covers: Muddy Waters’ “Rollin’ Stone,” Duke Ellington’s “I’m a Lucky So-and-So,” Fats Domino’s “When My Dreamboat Comes Home,” and the immortal “Tennessee Waltz.” The rest were originals, including the album’s immortal title track, which we cited when we paid tribute to Allison upon his recent passing.

Despite Allison’s lengthy absence from recording, fans ended up being thrilled with his return: Thom Jurek of the All Music Guide described MIDDLE CLASS WHITE BOY as being “as welcome a comeback as one could hope for.”