Article: Mose Allison biographical sketch

My latest article for the Island Packet newspaper on Hilton Head Island, SC, is a biographical sketch of Mose Allison. Here’s the intro:

I can’t believe the things I’m seeing
I wonder ‘bout some things I’ve heard
Everybody’s crying mercy
When they don’t know the meaning of the word
A bad enough situation
It’s sure enough getting worse
Everybody’s crying justice
Just as long as it’s business first

By JASON CRANE • Special to the Guide

One could easily think those lyrics come from someone like Bright Eyes or Chuck D, but they were written in 1968 by one Mose Allison, the “Sage of Tippo, Miss.”, who performs at the island’s Jazz Corner this weekend.

Over the years that song, “Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy,” has been covered by everyone from Bonnie Raitt to Elvis Costello, and 40 years later it still stands as a testament to the prescience, courage and conviction of one of the most original songwriters of the 20th century. Allison songs have been covered by an eclectic group that includes Van Morrison, The Who, The Clash and The Yardbirds.

You can read the rest here.