Bad News Is Coming [Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

Luther Allison | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1972
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B00005B7GR
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,837 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #19 in Music > Blues > Chicago Blues
  • #31 in Music > Blues > Modern Blues
  • #37 in Music > R&B > Motown

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Roots music wasn't exactly a hot prospect in 1972, which might be why the blistering guitar-centered blues on Luther Allison's debut record didn't garner the respect it deserved at the time. Though it's unfortunate that he's no longer around to appreciate it, it's good to see that Allison is finally being recognized for the Chicago West Side master that he was, as a single spin of Bad News Is Coming surely enough proves. Things get started with a hard-stompin', guitar-squealin' rendition of the classic Willie Dixon tune "Little Red Rooster," followed up with the riff-rooted "Evil Is Going On," also by Dixon. Another standout is the title track, a slow, moody piece with a perfectly bittersweet inflection. Then there's the considerably upbeat version of "Dust My Broom," which manages to dust off a hoary standard and make it sound brand-spanking-new, all while showing off guitar pyrotechnics worthy of Jimi Hendrix. This issue of Allison's debut also includes some worthy tracks that weren't on the original release. All four merit a listen, but particular attention should be paid to Allison's take on Freddy King's classic instrumental "The Stumble," which also features some admirable piano courtesy of Paul White. --Genevieve Williams

Product Description

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: ALLISON,LUTHER
Title: BAD NEW IS COMING
Street Release Date: 04/24/2001
Domestic
Genre: BLUES

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome blues..., December 7, 2005

By 

B. Bowman "Double B" (Jersey, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bad News Is Coming (Audio CD)

"Bad News Is Coming" was Luther Allison's debut album and from the first track, (his version of Willie Dixon's "Little Red Rooster"), he EXPLODES with an intensity that is refreshing every time I hear it. He belted out his vocals in a raspy, impassioned wail, and his guitar playing was just as searing. This should have been a smash, although the blues market was drying up by the time this was released in 1972 and it ultimately didn't sell in big numbers. Luther Allison himself is quoted in the liner notes as saying that he got lost in the shuffle when Motown moved from Detroit to L.A. Luther Allison was an amazing guitarist and unfortunately remains underrated. Songs like his own "Raggedy and Dirty" are perfect examples of how he could play the blues over a funky groove and just sound plain DIRTY. I don't know how else to describe it. He didn't hold anything back on this album. Also notable is the piano playing of Paul White, who has some great solos on this one. If you are a fan of the blues and haven't heard Luther Allison, this CD serves as a good introduction to this unsung performer.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Greatest Albums, December 31, 2006

By 

adam milan (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad News Is Coming (Audio CD)

I don't want to review this cd as much as I want to implore you, the person reading this, to treat yourself and buy it. Out of the 100's of cd's I've owned and listened to, this is the most soulfully smooth music I've heard. This album is an unknown classic. Allison's voice rock's, his guitar work stings, the piano is perfect. Track after track this cd is either perfectly sexy, painful, funky, or rocking. Why this guy wasn't hugely popular is beyond me. Buy this cd and then buy it for your friends. They'll love it too--Peace

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luther Allison on Motown, November 10, 2005

By 

tgfabthunderbird (York, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad News Is Coming (Audio CD)

An incendiary guitarist and all-around performer...I first came across Allison's "Serious" back in the mid-80's, and the power of his voice and that nasty slide guitar had me hooked from the start.

I first dug up a dusty vinyl copy of this Motown release, and was struck by it's sound. Generally simple arrangements, but they conveyed a young Allison's determination. As far as I know, he was the only blues artist on Motown, at a time when the label was still in power on the production of soul/R&B hits for the Supremes, the Temptations and the like.

Mostly standards, Allison tears through "Little Red Rooster," "Evil Is Going On" and "Dust My Broom" and makes them his own. The funky "Raggedy and Dirty" remains one of my favorite personal tracks, and I detect a little Jimi Hendrix in there somewhere.

On this CD, the bonus tracks are a great addition, Allison's version of "Sweet Home Chicago" and songs like "Take My Love" really filling things out.

A great document on the early Allison. His roots weren't just in the blues, as his career would bear out. I can't say enough about this one, it's special in more ways than one.