Luther ALLISON - Pay It Forward 2002

Luther ALLISON - Pay It Forward 2002

Blues

Thomas Ruf has done a great service to all Luther Allison fans in releasing this collection of rare studio and live performances. They are not all classics, but they do illustrate that Luther's time in Europe was one of great fertility and prowess, and before an adoring fan base he took them to places of joy with the blues that they likely never imagined attainable.
There are studio takes with Joanna Connor that are great R & B workouts, there is a bit of sentimentality with his son, Bernard, and the live tracks are all killer. Luther live was a force to be reckoned with and his European bands were as formidable as any collection that ever called South Chicago home. The liner notes are warm reminiscences by those who knew him or production notes from Ruf himself. This is clearly the work of a man who misses his very close friend.

You will not be disappointed with anything on the CD. It tends to underscore how tragic it was that just as Luther was gaining the recognition for creativity, innovation and passion in the States that were already legendary in Europe and Africa, that his life would be cut short. But this is no commercial rip-off. In fact, its very quality, like everything about Luther Allison, shows you just how short changed you are by other artists' outtakes (Elvis Costello, Bowie, U2, etc).

This isn't where you start if you have an interest in Luther Allison, but it is a nice way to remeber a great friend to the blues.
**
Recorded from 1984 to 1994 during Luther's self-imposed exile years in Paris. 11 tracks, many previously unreleased, including 'Slippin' Away', 'I Know', 'Perfume & Grime' & 'Love Is Free'. Includes the bonus track 'I Know'. Ruf Records. 2002.

In many cases, collections of musical odds and ends -- a live rarity here, an alternate take there -- can be uneven and inconsistent. And the people they're aimed at -- mainly diehard fans and serious collectors -- are willing to live with that. They have more than just a casual interest in the artist's work, and even the less-from-essential stuff excites and intrigues them. Assembled in 2002 -- five years after Luther Allison's death -- Pay It Forward is the sort of odds-and-ends collection that tends to appeal to diehard fans rather than casual listeners. This CD, which spans 1985-1996, contains an abundance of previously unreleased material and ranges from various live performances to an alternate version of the dark, brooding "Cherry Red Wine." Pay It Forward would probably interest obsessive collectors even if it was wildly inconsistent, but thankfully, these live and studio recordings are generally solid -- and some are even excellent. Although this CD doesn't limit itself to Allison's more essential work, it nonetheless reminds us how productive a time the '80s and '90s were for the late singer/guitarist. Pay It Forward also demonstrates that Allison was more a prolific blues artist -- he was also a prolific soul artist. Allison is quite inspired on a live performance of Willie Dixon's "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man" (recorded at the Stockholm Jazz and Blues Festival in 1991), but he also has a lot to say when he gets into soul-singer mode on the congenial "I Wanna Be with You," and a sweaty version of Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay" (which was recorded live at the 1985 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland). Again, Pay It Forward isn't recommended to casual listeners, but it's easily recommended to those who count themselves among Allison's hardcore devotees.
By Alex Henderson.AMG.
**
Luther Allison- (Vocals, Guitar);
James Solberg, Bernard Allison- (Vocals, Guitar);
Joanna Connor- (Vocals, Slide Guitar);
Marla Glenn- (Vocals);
Patrick Verbeke- (Acoustic Guitar, Backgound Vocals);
Charlie Bingham, David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Otis Grand, Ken Lending, Anthony Palmer- (Guitar);
Effendi Mumtaz- (Bouzouki);
Jorgen Lang- (Harmonica);
Allard Buwaldi- (Sax);
Serge Plume- (Trumpet);
Jel Jongen- (Trombone);
Kurt Clayton- (Piano);
Mike Vlahakis- (Hammond B-3 Organ, Keyboards);
Bruce Elsensohm- (Hammond B-3 Organ);
Ernest Williams- (Keyboards);
Barry Becket, Kjelt Lauritsen- (Organ);
Dave Smith, Ken Faltinson, Steve Gomes, Jay Golden- (Bass);
Steve Potts, Rob Stupka, Roger Hawkins, Lloyd Anderson, Frank Larsen- (Drums).
**
01. I Wanna Be With You Luther Allison And Friends 4:16
02. Still Called The Blues Luther Allison And Friends 5:33
03. Dock Of The Bay Luther Allison And Friends 8:17
04. Just As I Am Luther Allison And Friends 5:09
05. Nobody But You Luther Allison And Friends 3:42
06. Perfume & Grime Luther Allison And Friends 8:03
07. Cherry Red Wine Luther Allison And Friends 4:23
08. Idols In Mind Luther Allison And Friends 4:25
09. Hoochie Coochie Man Luther Allison And Friends 8:17
10. Slipping Away Luther Allison And Friends 5:26
11. Love Is Free / I Know (Bonus Jam) Luther Allison And Friends 11:04
**

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Luther ALLISON - Serious 1987

Luther ALLISON - Serious 1987

Blues

Luther Allison established himself as an impassioned blues guitarist and vocalist of the highest caliber. He was an exhilarating performer whose raw guitar and vocal stylings won him blues and rock fans alike.

Born in 1939 in Mayflower, Arkansas, Allison was the 14th of 15 children. He learned guitar at an early age but his interest in playing music was moderate at best. His family moved to Chicago when Allison was 11 years old. In Chicago, five of his brothers formed The Southern Travelers- a gospel group, while another brother played with the Freddie King band. His mother was a dedicated religious woman who often sang gospel songs at home, often times prompting the whole family into "jam sessions." However, Luther had no intention in pursuing a career in music. In fact, as a youngster he dreamt of becoming a professional baseball player.

The young Luther wound up becoming friends with Muddy Waters' son and the two were often found at Waters' band rehearsals and home, where Luther would meet the great bluesmen of the time: Howlin' Wolf, Magic Sam, Buddy Guy, and Freddie King, among others. After quitting high school, he began learning the shoe making and repair trade. Luckily, his resistance to being a musician quickly began to soften and he started seriously practicing with instruction from his brother Ollie. In 1957 he formed a band, The Four Jivers with another brother Grant. Because he was underage, Luther became proficient at sneaking into music clubs hoping to be invited on stage to play. His famous musician friends started taking note of his undeniable talents. In 1959 Freddie King started touring nationally, leaving his Chicago band and gigs behind. Suddenly, Luther found himself at the helm of King's old band and brought the unit to being one of the hottest blues attractions on the West Side.

A major chapter in Allison's career started with his being booked to the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival in Michigan, where his performance literally stole the show. He was invited back for the following two festivals as the headlining act. His performance changed him from a relative unknown to a major blues-rock attraction. Soon he was on the road playing blues clubs, festivals and rock halls across the country stunning audiences with his incendiary guitar work, sterling vocals and energetic live shows.

In 1972, Motown Records signed Allison as their first and only blues artist, which led to a slew of national and international concert and festival dates. His experiences abroad were character affirming and he enjoyed instant acceptance and adulation, especially in Europe. As the 1970's continued, interest in blues music in the U.S. waned. Luther released several excellent albums on various labels but sales of blues records were simply slack. Luther relocated to Paris in the early 1980's. He still enjoyed immense popularity in Europe and continued touring there regularly.

In 1987, Blind Pig Records released Allison's Serious album. Produced in France, it was his first recording since a pair of live albums recorded in 1979. It features his trademark melding of blues, rock, soul and R & B anchored by Luther's dazzling guitar work and his gritty, soulful voice. The release received high acclaim and helped renew interest in Luther's career in the United States.

In 1996, Luther Allison returned to America in a big way, winning five W.C. Handy Awards including Entertainer, Male Blues Artist and Blues Guitarist of the year.   
By Blind Pig Records.2006
**
As bluesmen go, Luther Allison rocked, especially on Serious and subsequent recordings. This 1987 recording marked the beginning of a more rock-oriented approach for the singer-guitarist, which certainly contributed to Allison's rise in prominence, a climb that continued until his death in 1997. Serious is a bundle of barely restrained energy, from the opening chords of the stomping shuffle "Backtrack" to the wry "We're on the Road." "Life is a Bitch" is straight-up rock & roll, and "Parking Lot" crunches and burns all the way through. But Allison was also capable of a tender moment or two, and "Reaching Out" edges all the way into soul. "Just Memories" contains real sweetness, and "Show Me a Reason" is tightly wound from its slow-burning opening to its rock-out finish. Serious is often underrated, possibly because of its rock & roll overtones, but its energy and enthusiasm make it required listening for Allison aficionados.
By Genevieve Williams.
**
Luther Allison- (Vocals, Guitar, Slide Guitar);
Frank "Fast Frank" Rabaste- (Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals);
Alain Hatot- (Soprano Sax, Alto Sax);
Jean-Pierre Solves, Jean Louis Chautemps- (Sax);
Tony Russo, Freddy Hovsepian- (Trumpet);
Jacques Higelin- (Piano);
Michael Carras- (Keyboards);
Mario Satterfield- (Fretless Bass);
Jimi Schutte- (Drums, Background Vocals);
Samy Ateba- (Percussion).
**
01. Backtrack (2:51)
02. Life Is A Bitch (3:39)
03. Reaching Out (4:55)
04. Parking Lot (2:39)
05. Serious (5:06)
06. Just Memories (6:00)
07. Should I Wait (3:17)
08. Show Me A Reason (7:11)
09. Let's Try Again (6:46)
10. We're On The Road (3:48)
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Luther ALLISON - Reckless 1997

Luther ALLISON - Reckless 1997

Blues

***Nominated for a GRAMMY in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album"1997***
It's not typical for blues legends to be compared to rock stars, but guitarist/vocalist LUTHER ALLISON is not your typical blues legend. His powerful guitar work - equal parts traditional blues string-bending and wall-shaking rock 'n roll - is matched in energy only by his soul-deep vocals. His live shows (often clocking in at well over three hours) are the stuff of legend. And after releasing his album Bad Love (Ruf Records/US-release on Alligator under "Soul Fixing Man) in 1994 and Blue Streak (Ruf Records,TRIP/U.S. release on Alligator) in 1995, ALLISON is enjoying his biggest American comeback since moving to Paris in 1984. "Every guitar solo is an eloquent statement delivered with searing, lightning-quick precision", wrote The Chicago Sun Times. "Ferocious guitar licks reconnect the lines between blues and rock". On his American comeback tour, including his nationally broadcast and typically jaw-dropping set at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival, LUTHER ALLISON announced to the world that he was not only back, he was unstoppable.
And now he has the trophies to prove it, having received every award the blues has to offer. He swept the 1996 W.C.Handy Awards with five statues, won 10 Living Blues Awards and a 1995 Indie Award, and played in front of hundreds of thousands of screaming fans at festivals and clubs all over the world. He appeared on the cover of Living Blues, Blues Revue, Blues Access, and was the subject of major feature stories and reviews in Guitar Player, Guitar World, and Guitar For The Practicing Musician, as well as being featured on National Public Radio's Weekend All Things Considered and The Late Show With Conan O'Brien. "LUTHER ALLISON", proclaimed Blues Revue," is the New King of the Blues."
Blasting ahead at full speed, ALLISON writes the next chapter in his amazing story with Reckless (Ruf Records, U.S. release on Alligator). Again recorded in Memphis with Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana) producing, ALLISON brings his rock guitar energy to the deep blues he performs while singing with all the passion of the great soul singers. From the opening notes of Low Down And Dirty (written by LUTHER'S son Bernard) to the rocking You Can Run But You Can't Hide to the searing Drowning At The Bottom to the socially conscious Pain In The Streets to the deep soul of Just as I am (duet with Marla Glen) to the searing slide guitar attack of I'm Back, ALLISON roars and rips through each song with the melting power of a raging fire.
Although he may be a new discovery for many fans, Allison's legend has been growing for a long time. Born in Widener, Arkansas in 1939, Allison (the 14th of 15 musically gifted children), first connected the blues at age ten when he began playing the diddley bow (a wire attached to wall with nails with rocks for bridges and a bottle to fret the wire). His family migrated to Chicago in 1951, and LUTHER began soaking in the sounds of Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Robert Nighthawk. He was classmates with Muddy Water's son and occasionally stopped by Water's house to watch the master rehearse. But it wasn't until he was 18 - already in Chicago for 7 years - that he began playing blues on a real guitar and jamming with his brother Ollie's band.
By 1957 ALLISON had dropped out of school and formed a band called "The Four Jivers", gigging all over the west side of Chicago. Before long, LUTHER was jamming with the West Side's best, including Magic Sam, Otis Rush, and Freddy King, who encouraged LUTHER ALLISON to sing. "That," says ALLISON "was my school."
When King began to tour nationally in 1959 ALLISON took over King's band as well as his weekly gigs at Walton's Corner and became one of the hottest acts on the West Side. For five years ALLISON honed his craft. With his reputation rock solid, ALLISON began to branch out. He moved to California for a year and cut sides with fellow Chicagoans Shakey Jake Harris and Sunnyland Slim. He cut his debut as a leader of the now - classic Delmark anthology, Sweet Home Chicago, before releasing his first solo album (also on Delmark) "Love Me Mama", a record of hardhitting blues that spoke to the growing rock audience. After landing a headlining spot at the influential Ann Arbor Festival in 1969, ALLISON went from relative unknown to major blues rock attraction. ALLISON returned to Arbor two more times, and his reputation among rock fans was solidified.
Allison signed with Motown Records in 1972 as the label's only blues act. His three records for the Gordy subsidiary led to numerous concert dates and both national and international festival appearances. But domestically, interest in the blues was fading. After finding instant acceptance in Europe, he was convinced that Paris was the place to be. While he gained superstar status in Europe (and remains the continent's biggest blues star) and released a string of European records, his presence in America subsided.
Until recently, that is. With the release of "Bad Love" ( Ruf Records/ U.S release on Alligator as "Soul Fixin' Man") in 1994, he announced his return. "Fever and chills performances", said Guitar Player, "ferocious solos combine the wisdom of a master story teller with the elegance of B.B. King, the elasticity of Buddy Guy, and the big sting of Albert King. "A scorcher from the first note to the last", raved Living Blues, "a nod to roots even as he blasts those roots out of the soil ...a creative and heartfelt blast of rocked-out blues energy." After three mammoth U.S. tours, America once again was paying attention to LUTHER ALLISON and his appearance at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival in front of hundreds of thousands of screaming fans (and an even larger national radio audience) made sure no one would soon forget.
"ALLISON was supercharged from the moment he strode on stage", said The Chicago Tribune. "His boundlessly energetic set was the most electrifying of the fest."
ALLISON followed up with "Blue Streak" (Ruf Records,TRIP/ U.S. release on Alligator)and the praise and accolades are still rolling in. "Blistering riffs ... breathtaking ... energetic", said The New York Daily News. "A sonic roar as soulful as his gospel-shout vocals," agreed The Washington Post. "LUTHER ALLISON'S latest is nothing short of a masterpiece by a master," reported Blues Revue. The album received airplay on over 500 stations nationwide and held the number one position on the Hard Report Blues chart for an unprecedented 19 weeks. Continued touring brought ALLISON before raving fans around the world, and his stature at the top of the blues world was confirmed. Recently nominated for another five W.C. Handy Awards, he could easily rest on his laurels, but that wouldn't be LUTHER ALLISON.
Reckless is another giant step forward for the slash-and-burn guitarist. His rip-roaring guitar and fervent vocals place Allison in a league of his own. Even at age 57, he's not about to slow down. With another U.S. tour already planned, Allison is prepared to spread the word that this time has indeed come and that he can rock with the best of them, playing Blues as deep as Muddy Waters and as rich as all three kings. And even though he has very little left to prove, on Reckless and in concert, LUTHER ALLISON proves it every time he picks up his guitar.
**
Luther Allison- Vocals, Guitar
Rick Steff- Electric Piano and Hammond B3
Dave Smith- Bass
Mike Vlahakis- Hammond B3 and Electric piano
Ken Faltinson- Bass
James Solberg- Rhtym Guitars
Lloyd Anderson- Drums
Willie Hayes- Drums
Darin James- Drums
Kurt Clayton- Electric piano
Also:
Memphis Horns, Steve Potts, Bernard Allison, Marla Glen
**
01.Low Down and Dirty  3:45
02.You Can Run but You Can't Hide  3:32
03.Living in the House of the Blues  5:32
04.You Can, You Can  3:42
05.Will It Ever Change?  5:09
06.Just As I Am  4:55
07.There Comes a Time  4:12
08.Drowning at the Bottom  3:54
09.Playin' a Losin' Game  5:30
10.It's a Blues Thing  5:40
11.Cancel My Check  4:19
12.Pain in the Streets  4:43
13.You're Gonna Make Me Cry  6:13
14.I'm Back  4:12
**
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Luther ALLISON - Where Have You Been, Live in Montreux 1976-1994

Luther ALLISON - Where Have You Been, Live in Montreux 1976-1994

Blues

This 78-minute collection from four appearances at the famed Swiss blues festival displays the varied strengths of Luther Allison's music. The tensile, screaming guitar work and squawling vocal attack Allison is known for are here, of course, but there's another layer at work. A 1984 set with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, for instance, offers the Muddy Waters-like "Back Down South" (on which Allison lays down his ax in favor of a harp), as well as the Otis Redding-style shouts of "Memories." The most intense moments come on "Bad News Is Coming" and "Bad Love" (with the Memphis Horns backing him up), when Allison pushes through to the pulse of his muse with a six-string expression of confusion and grit. They make his death in the late '90s poignant and that much more palpable.
By Rickey Wright.
**
Due to the fact that Chicago blues great, Luther Allison, had to flee Chicago to earn a living playing da blues, (See earlier Shaq Review!) the famed Montreux Jazz festival became his stage. Included on this CD are nothing but "live" performances from this venue covering the years 1976-1994. Every cut is great, so you can't miss with this selection, but let me point out a few extra ordinary highlights! I have heard many performances of "Little Red Rooster", and this performance by Luther is the absolute best. It is 11 minutes and 30 seconds long, and every second, is a gift. No one has ever performed "The Sky Is Crying" live, better than Stevie Ray Vaughn, and in Shaq's opinion, Albert King is second. But, this performance by Luther, highlighted with a slide guitar, is a different approach, and interestingly, enjoyable. And how "bitter sweet", must it have been, for Luther, under self-exile, in Europe, to earn a decent living, singing, "Sweet Home Chicago!" This CD is a must, for any true electric blues enthusiast!
By Rick Goldstein.
**
'Where have you been, LUTHER?

This live CD set is a definite answer to the questions often asked by fans and journalists during LUTHER'S triumphal 'comeback' tours through the U.S. in 1995 and 1996 (LUTHER ALLISON enjoyed a five-award triumph at the 17th annual W.C. Handy Awards, the blues world's equivalent of the Grammys: Best Blues Song -'Watching You', Best Blues Album - 'Blue Streak', Best Male Blues Artist, Best Guitarist, Best Entertainer).

'Where have you been, LUTHER?'

The answer is:
'Europe' and definitely 'working hard!'

LUTHER started working in Europe in 1976, the year Motown released his third album for the Gordy label, 'Night Life'. The very first tour began with a furious performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland, six tracks of which are featured on this CD set.

In 1983, LUTHER made Paris, France his home base. He quickly attained the status of a major drawing blues act on the live circuit in Europe.
Subsequently, U.S. audiences (re) discovered him as one of the greatest blues talents performing today.

Because the Montreux Jazz Festival has always been a special event for LUTHER, this CD reflects the development of his band sound over the years.
On the '76 and '83 sets, LUTHER used his U.S. touring band; the '84 set features the legendary Muscle Shoals Rythm Section - a special event co-produced by Jerry Wexler. In accordance with the concept of Montreux and because he's one of Montreux's favourite performers, LUTHER was repeatedly invited to jam with B.B. King ('89), John Mayall ('86) and Otis Rush ('86). The '94 set features a Memphis set-up including the Memphis Horns, paying tribute to the roots of R&B and soul music.

The 1994 release of 'Bad Love' (in Europe on RUF) 'Soul Fixin'Man' (U.S. version on Alligator) marked the start of LUTHER'S U.S. 'comeback'. It was his first studio album recorded in the U.S. since his Motown album of '76, but certainly not his only recording; a look at his discography shows that LUTHER was successfully working hard in Europe.

All of us who have had the pleasure of enjoying LUTHER'S performances in Europe throughout the years, the folks in the U.S. who know him from 'way back then', and all the new fans from all around the world whole heartedly agree:
Ride on, LUTHER !
**
01. Introduction
02. Gamblers Blues
03. Sweet Home Chicago
04. Same Thing
05. Little Red Rooster
06. Sky Is Crying
07. Back Down South
08. Memories
09. Spontaneous Improvisation
10. Bad News Is Coming
11. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
12. Bad Love
13. Audience
**
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Luther ALLISON - Hand Me Down My Moonshine 1994

Luther ALLISON - Hand Me Down My Moonshine 1994

Blues

... Then we see Luther Allison looking up at us from the CD rack, and we remember what the big deal is.

Allison's 1992 release "Hand Me Down My Moonshine" is recorded acoustically, as opposed to the electric Chicago blues which comprises most of his body of work. There's nothing more electric on this disc than a steel guitar.

In an era where digital technology has all but eliminated the possibility of a bad record, it's easy to pine for the scratches and over-the-phone qualities of recordings made before quality was an issue that recording media could address. Sometimes it's pleasingly quaint to hear the remnants of a wax cylinder in a Bessie Smith song, or whatever made Woody Guthrie sound as if he were standing three or four rooms down from a microphone. While most of "Moonshine" was recorded on digital audio tape - the two grittiest songs were recorded at studios near Allison's home in France - Allison's voice brings back that found-in-the-back-of-the-Library-of-Congress feeling that makes those old recordings so endearing. His pipes hit their apex in the title track (one of the two recorded in Paris), swerving between church-balcony highs and dirt-floor lows.

Allison's voice overshadows most of his guitar work, which again in the title track reaches complexities hard to describe to someone who isn't a blues fan. French bluesman Patrick Verbekes plays steel guitar ably on "You're the One," a classic blues conceit, and Allison's own son Bernard screams on slide guitar in the disc's final track, "Meet Me In My Hometown."

Other tunes stand out, like "Farmer's Child," an ode to - and lament of - Allison's rural upbringing and family history, and the infinitely sexy "Don't Burn My Bread," which - no offense to Chris Isaak - should have been used in that dirty scene in "Eyes Wide Shut."

All in all, the disc starts out upbeat and winds up low and grinding, like a day spent listening to friends play music in your home - which is exactly what Allison wanted from the album.
By Kevin Ott.
**
Luther Allison- Acoustic Guitar,Vocals
Bernard Allison- Acoustic Slide Guitar and Background Vocals (12)
Zox- Acoustic bass (1-9, 11)
Patrick Verbecke- Steel (10) and 12 String Guitar (5)
Thierry Menesclou- Harmonica (12)
All songs by Luther Allison except You're the One (J. Lane)
and Meet Me in My Own Hometown (W. Williams)
**
01. Good Morning Love 5:27
02. One More 2:59
03. Lightning 8:09
04. I Need a Friend 4:01
05. Castle 4:31
06. She's Fine 5:42
07. Stay With Me 5:42
08. Farmers Child 5:39
09. Don't Burn My Bread 5:11
10. You're the One 5:10
11. Hand Me Down My Moonshine 9:28
12. Meet Me in My Own Hometown 6:24
**
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Luther ALLISON - Love Me Papa 1977

Luther ALLISON - Love Me Papa 1977
Label: Evidence
Recorded at Barclay Studio, Paris, France on December 13, 1977.
Release Date Oct 01, 1992

Blues

Allison was a major star in blues America when he was cut down by lung cancer and brain tumors in August 1997. But for a long time before celebrity caught up with him, the exciting guitarist was far better-known in Europe than in this United States. This French session dates from 1977, when the 38-year-old Chicago bluesman first earned standing ovations from European crowds and began contemplating his eventual move to Paris. Unlike his high-energy recordings in the '90s, Allison is in a relaxed mood throughout the program here, modulating his pointed expressions of heartbreak on blues standards (Little Walter's "Last Night" and Big Bill Broonzy's "Key to the Highway," to name two) and on originals (the title track and "It's Too Late"). Three tracks, all good, are added for CD reissue. On this memorable session, pianist-organist Sid Wingfield and a rhythm section capably back up the main man. By Frank John Hadley

Luther Allison is the blues' proverbial little boy with the curl; when he's good, he's great. When he's bad, he's awful. Allison was on throughout most of the nine tracks (three bonus cuts) on this 1977 date recently reissued by Evidence on CD, playing with the ferocity, direction, and inventiveness that is often missing from his more uneven efforts. His covers of Little Walter Jacobs' "Last Night" and "Blues With A Feeling" are not reverential or respectful but are launching pads for high-octane, barreling riffs, snappy phrases, and exciting solos. His vocals are not always that keen, but Allison at least stretches them out and adds verbal embellishments, yells, and shouts of encouragement.
**
Luther Allison- Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Dan Hoeflinger- Guitar
Sid Wingfield- Piano, Organ
Jim Campbell- Bass
Donald Robertson- Drums
**
01. Love Me Papa - (Luther Allison)   5:57
02. Blues With a Feeling - (Luther Allison, Little Walter)   6:22
03. Last Night I Lost the Best Friend I Ever Had - (Luther Allison, Little Walter)   11:37
04. Key to the Highway - (Luther Allison, Broonzy, Big Bill)    5:11
05. It's Too Late - (Luther Allison)    11:10
06. Feelin' So Good - (Luther Allison, Parker, Junior)    5:33
07. Going Down - (Luther Allison, Nix, Don)    5:55
08. Luther's Boogie - (Luther Allison)    3:05
09. Standing at the Crossroads - (Luther Allison, James, Elmore)    3:14
**  
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Luther ALLISON - Let's Try It Again, Live 1989

Luther ALLISON - Let's Try It Again, Live 1989
Label: Ruf
Recorded Live at Quasimodo, Berlin,
Germany (22-25 May, 1989)
Released: 1996

Blues

Luther Allison belongs to a generation of electric blues guitarists who came of age in the '60s. These musicians appealed to both old-line blues audiences and younger, white rock audiences. Born on a cotton plantation, Allison was one of 15 children. Before he was 10 years old, he sang with a gospel group, the Southern Travellers, with whom he toured throughout the South. Circa 1951, he moved with his family to Chicago and began playing guitar. One of his boyhood friends in that city would turn out to be Muddy Waters' son. Allison first performed as a blues guitarist with his elder brother's band, which played Chicago clubs between 1954 and 1957. Luther’s own nascent band, the Rolling Stones (later renamed the Four Jivers), lasted for one year.

For the next decade Allison was a mainstay of the Chicago blues scene, often playing behind Freddie King and Magic Sam. He made his first records for Delmark in 1967, the same year he took to the road with his group, the Tornados. In 1968 he toured and recorded for World Pacific with Shakey Jake, and began making annual appearances at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival. Hoping to find success in the music business, he moved to California in the late ’60s and soon began playing such rock venues as the Fillmore West and, in New York City, the Fillmore East and Max’s Kansas City. Dispirited, he returned to Chicago and recorded three albums for Motown’s Gordy label and the soundtrack to Cooley High.

Allison, who eventually settled near Paris, began extensively touring Europe in the ’70s and continued to delight the festival circuit over the next two decades with his lengthy, intense performances. In July 1997, Allison was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, succumbing to the illness a few days short of his 58th birthday.
From The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll Simon & Schuster, 2001
**
Luther Allison- Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Peter Giron- Bass
Vincent Daune- Drums
"Fast Frank" Rabaste- Guitar
Michel Carras- Keyboards 
Sulaiman Hakim- Saxophone
**
01. Serious  8.15
02. Backtrack  3.06
03. Let's Try It Again  9.29
04. Freedom  7.54
05. Life Is A Bitch  5.06
06. Just Memories  5.30
07. Fight  5.03
08. Bad News Is Coming  6.16
09. Just My Guitar (And Me)  6.16
10. Now You Got It  4.56
11. Let's Have A Little Talk  7.44
12. The Dock Of The Bay  6.27
**
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Luther ALLISON - Live In Chicago (2CDs) 1999

Luther ALLISON - Live In Chicago (2CDs) 1999
Label: Ruf / Alligator
Blues

Release Notes
Live In Chicago
... is the first posthumous release of our artist Luther Allison, who unexpectedly died in August 1997, conceived as a memento for the longstanding fans and concert-visitors of one of the greatest entertainers of his genre. 2 CDs packed with the most important songs of his last studio recordings and some of the favourites of his recent live repertoire. Electrifying and chilling extended live-versions of some of his best songs!
Remember: a real good Luther Allison show lasted over 4 hours!
The first CD contains the complete set of his live-appearance at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival, which was hyped up by the press as the hottest gig of the entire Festival, and celebrated by thousands of fans. Recorded by radio and broadcasted nationwide, this great moment of blues live performance has been documented for the posterity.
The bonus track (Gamblers Blues/Sweet Angel) delivers the Jam Session with Otis Rush and Eddie C. Clearwater of the same evening. CD 2 contains a live appearance at Buddy Guy's Legend, Chicago's famous live club, recorded in September of the same year.
"Live In Chicago" is the first document out of the archive of the Luther Allison Holding Co., which was founded by Luther and his longtime companion Carolyn Brown (Rocky) some days before he died.
Our intention in this release is to keep the memory of a good friend and great artist and fullfil his last will: "You guys gotta keep my name out there!"
Ruff.
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Recorded live at the Chicago Blues Festival and Buddy Guy's Legends, Chicago, Illinois in 1995 and Zoo Bar, Lincoln, Nebraska in 1997.

LIVE IN CHICAGO was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best ...    Full Description Contemporary Blues Album.

Life can be unjust, such as in the case of blues legend Luther Allison, who found the upward trajectory of his career in the States derailed by a fatal bout with cancer three years after returning from two decades of self-imposed exile in Europe. The 2-CD LIVE IN CHICAGO captures the man's brilliance in cuts taken from concerts recorded at 1995's Chicago Blues Festival and Buddy Guy's Legends, as well as four tracks from Nebraska's Zoo Bar recorded four months before his death.

Like Willie Dixon before him, the Arkansas native was a prolific songwriter whose topics touched on everyday maladies including discrimination ("Will It Ever Change"), inner-city decay ("Move From the Hood"), and the evils of alcoholism ("Cherry Red Wine"). Allison's slashing and aggressive playing allows him to easily move from trading licks with blues legends Otis Rush and Eddie C. Kirkland on a medley of "Gambler's Blues"/"Sweet Little Angel" to expertly wielding a slide to tear up Hound Dog Taylor's hilarious "Give Me Back My Wig." Allison was not only a great blues guitarist, but an effective singer as well. Here, his gravelly vocals give him an emotive presence that makes a slow-burn like "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" simmer.
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Willie Henderson- Baritone Saxophone
Mike Vlahakis- Keyboards
Ken Faltinson- Trumpet
Robb Stupka- Drums
James Solberg- Guitar
Willie Hayes- Drums
Bobby Neely- Tenor Saxophone
Dave Rice- Keyboards
John Kattke- Guitar
Ken Anderson- Trumpet
Leonard Gill- Bass
Ray Stewart- Drums
Also:
Otis Rush- Vocals, Guitar
Eddie C. Campbell- Guitar
Memphis Horns:
Andrew Love- Tenor Saxophone
Wayne Jackson- Trumpet
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Live In Chicago CD DISC 1:

01. Intro 0:22
02. Soul Fixin' Man 4:02
03. Cherry Red Wine 8:36
04. Move From the Hood 4:48
05. Bad Love 10:15
06. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 6:00
07. Big City 9:07
08. Give Me Back My Wig 5:21
09. It Hurts Me Too 7:39
10. Gambler's Blues / Sweet Little Angel 10:25
 
Live In Chicago Songs DISC 2:

01. Party Time 5:19
02. All the King's Horses 12:17
03. What Have I Done Wrong? 7:11
04. Walking Papers 6:48
05. Think With Your Heart 6:27
06. What's Going on in My Home? 7:14
07. Will It Ever Change? 5:48
08. You're Gonna Make Me Cry 8:25
09. Everything's Gonna Be All Right 5:30
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