Steve Allen Albums (10)
'All Star Jazz Concert'
Release Date 3/22/2005
Tracks 18
Label Jasmine
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Jazz for Tonight'
Release Date 1/6/2004
Tracks 8
Label Universal International
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'Plays Hi-Fi Music for Influentials'
Release Date 2/27/1996
Tracks 16
Label Varese
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What The Critics Say
This release features 16 tracks selected from various albums issued between 1957 and 1966. Allen distributes the material fairly evenly between his own compositions and interpretations of standards by the likes of Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, and Irving Berlin. As cocktail jazz goes, it's very straight-ahead (though some cuts take a bossa nova approach), and perhaps not eccentric enough to appeal to the lounge revival crowd. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
'Steve Allen Plays Jazz Tonight'
Release Date 5/17/1993
Tracks 13
Label Concord
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What The Critics Say
One of Steve Allen's last jazz recordings was made in 1992, some eight years prior to his death on October 30, 2000. Allen's piano playing was only one of the many talents that he shared with his audiences over his decades-long career, but he never made a big deal about his playing; it was just another way of entertaining. On this date he is the de facto leader of a group coordinated by drummer Frank Capp, which also includes guitarist Howard Alden, tenor saxophonist and clarinetist Ken Peplowski, trumpeter Glenn Zottola, and bassist Chuck Berghofer. Clearly, the musicians are having fun in this swing-filled atmosphere. The solos are spread around fairly evenly among Allen, Alden, Peplowski, and Zottola in a program that sticks primarily to standards such as "The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else," "After You've Gone," "Gone With the Wind," and "I Can't Get Started." Four Allen compositions are also covered and, although none of them are among his best-known works, "Steve's Blues" features the best all-around solos of the sessions. This Steve Allen jazz release is clearly his finest effort. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Soulful Brass #3'
Release Date 1/1/1971
Tracks 11
Label Flying Dutchman
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What The Critics Say
Steve Allen's first two volumes in his Soulful Brass series of LPs were collaborations with noted arranger Oliver Nelson, but they were handicapped by his insistence on performing on inferior electric keyboards on most of the tracks. Nelson was replaced by Tom Scott for this third volume, with the results taking on a more rockish sound. Unfortunately, Allen is still playing the same wimpy keyboards, even though they do fit in better with Scott's charts than Nelson's. But none of the performances of big band favorites like �Take the A Train," �Cherokee," �Begin the Beguine" or �Flying Home" is in the least bit memorable. Neither are either of Allen's two originals. So Nat Hentoff's laudatory liner notes need to be taken with a proverbial grain of salt, as this badly dated music can be easily bypassed by the most devoted fans of Steve Allen. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Steve Allen at the Roundtable'
Release Date 1/1/1958
Tracks 6
Label Roulette
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What The Critics Say
Steve Allen was a jack of all trades as a comedian, television star, author, musician, and prolific composer, but he has been dismissed by a lot of critics as a lightweight performer and songwriter. Allen never clamed to rival Art Tatum as a pianist, or the likes of Cole Porter or Duke Ellington as a composer; he saw himself as an entertainer first. Surrounded by a strong supporting cast during this live engagement at the Roundtable (with Allen hamming it up on the cover photo in a suit of armor), Allen doesn't hog the spotlight but keeps his solos rather brief and gives his sidemen plenty of solo space. His opener "Roundtable Boogie" features guitarist Mundell Lowe, vibraphonist Terry Gibbs, and clarinetist Gus Bivona; while Allen isn't in the league of Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson, he is a more than competent boogie-woogie player (he was once complimented on his boogie-woogie playing by Teddy Wilson, who confessed he had problems playing it himself!). Gibbs swings like mad in a fun-filled take of "I Got Rhythm." "Even Stephen" is actually a wild reworking of "Jeepers Creepers." Doc Severinson adds his swinging trumpet to Allen's rousing closer, "Baby, But You Did." Although this won't be an essential recording for the average jazz fan, anyone who enjoys Steve Allen will be delighted to acquire this record. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Steve Allen leads a big band in this tribute to the swing era, though this Coral LP is a bit of a disappointment. The 11 standards all sound as if they are borrowed charts written for Benny Goodman by Edgar Sampson, Fletcher Henderson, and others, which of course, most of them seem to be, with the exception of a few updated versions. So anyone who already owns the various Goodman recordings will find nothing particularly stimulating about this album, though the musicianship is fine and Allen is an adequate piano soloist. While the record might not have sold well at all without hewing to familiar arrangements, it would have made much more of a lasting impression. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Steve Allen had a variety of interests during his long career: television host, comedian, author, actor, but his work as a musician tends to get overshadowed, even though he composed over 6000 songs and recorded a few dozen LPs, most of which are long out-of-print. This Coral record features Allen playing a dozen ballads in an easy listening setting, including standards and four of his own works, with a string orchestra, a rhythm section, and a few guest soloists. Allen never was one to take long solos to show off his abilities as an improviser (though he had the ability when he desired to do so) and most of these performances don't stray too far from the melody. The standards include enjoyable arrangements of "While We're Young," "Let's Fall in Love," and "You Are Too Beautiful." "Last Night When We Were Young" features the lush tenor sax of Sam "The Man" Taylor. Among his originals, the waltz "Junior Prom" features some fine muted trumpet by Taft Jordan, while "Tomboy" showcases trombonist Billy Byers. This LP will be of less interest to those who are familiar with Steve Allen's jazz records, though the pretty arrangements will definitely appeal to easy listening fans. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Steve Allen's love of great melodies and jazz were never in doubt throughout his career. This LP recorded for Dot features the veteran pianist with an unidentified rhythm section in a session that borders on easy listening. Many of these compositions have remained popular decades after Allen recorded them, though none of these renditions are particularly distinctive. "Always in My Heart" borders on corny, though the lush "For All We Know" isn't bad at all. The brief arrangements of this all-ballad set seem geared toward undemanding late-night listeners. Long out of print, fans nostalgic for Steve Allen records from the early '60s may still track down a copy, though it may take some time. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Steve Allen was still hosting the original Tonight Show and recorded this LP for Signature to celebrate the move of the program to a new night. Allen is accompanied by an unidentified orchestra or rhythm section (probably musicians from his program) throughout this undated session, which is likely from circa 1959-1960. Allen, who was always modest about his ability as a pianist, keeps the numbers short and sweet. The material ranges from standards ("Laura" and "You're Driving Me Crazy") to jazz classics ("Misty" and "Rosetta") and an unlikely choice, a gently swinging rendition of "The Notre Dame Victory March." Among Allen's originals, the ballad "Houseboat" falls more into pop music of the era, with middle-of-the-road vocals, strings, and no sign of jazz. His best works include "Impossible," a pretty ballad that he was still performing in concerts decades later, and the enchanting "Bell, Book and Candle," written for the bewitching Kim Novak movie of the same name. Though jazz purists frequently reject Steve Allen's recordings out of hand, he left a lasting mark with his promotion of jazz musicians on many of his albums and television series, as well as some terrific compositions that await discovery by a wider audience. This long unavailable record is worth digging through used record bins to acquire. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
