Customer Reviews

Pay It Forward

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

This CD is worth the price for "Perfume and Grime" alone! at an 8:00 min song.. the co-artist on this song Otis Grand.. said that Luther laid it down on the first take.. and that Otis was so blown away at Luther.. he kinda just laid back.. even though that was not the intention for the song.. he was suppose to be "trading licks".. the more I listen (just got it.. thanks to Bill Wax on XM Music) the more I love it all..