Customer Reviews

Reckless

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is a shame that Luther had to leave us so soon. He was seemingly just reaching his creative peak before he was taken from us. He managed to leave us this impassioned piece of work, a combination of searing guitar work and emotion-filled vocals. His last three cd's with alligator records: "Soul Fixin Man" (1994), "Blue Streak" (1995), and "Reckless" (1997) are all superb, with this one being the best in my opinion. There is not a clunker to be found here. Luther mixes up slow numbers with uptempo tracks and it's all good. If i had to pick any highlights, they would have to be "Living in the House of the Blues" and "Drowning at the Bottom". These two songs also happen to represent the loudest and most powerful tracks on the cd. They capture perfectly Luther's ablity to transmit emotion in his playing and singing. His use of a Gibson les paul guitar is a refreshingly different sound to the abundance of blues players out there that use fender's. The les paul has a certain "growl" to it's sound that a fender tele or strat can't match. Luther uses his les paul to great advantage, releasing an energy while playing that few if any guitarists can attain. His voice seems to be an extension of his guitar sound: deep, soulful, and a little rough around the edges. I highly recommend this cd to any lover of blues.

"Reckless" would prove to be Allison's final album. While on tour for this CD he developed a brain tumor and died only a few months later. I saw him only a week or so before the tumor was discovered. He played a 1500 seat sold out theater and did 3 hours non-stop. It was possibly the best blues show I have ever witnessed as he was on fire all night. I had tickets to see him again later in the summer, but unfortunately that show never happened. The album itself is strong, but not quite as good as his previous effort. This one has even more of a funky 70's vibe featured. Allison tackles social issues more in this album with several tracks including "There Comes A Time", "Pain In The Streets", and "Will it ever change". He also does a duet with his son Bernard (a great blues player in his own right) called "Playing A Loosing Game". The album also includes a great version of "Living In The House Of The Blues".

RECKLESS IS ONE OF THE BEST BLUES CD EVER MADE WITH PURE POWER AND PASSION PUT INTO EVERY SONG AND NOTE. THIS WAS LUTHER LAST CD BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY AT THE TOP OF THE GAME. GREAT SONGS ARE "LIVING IN THE HOUSE OF THE BLUES" AND "A BLUES THING" AND A GREAT ACOUSTIC DUET WITH HIS SON BERNARD "DROWNING AT THE BOTTOM"

It's a rare thing to find a Blues Artist who can deliver top notch performances both vocally and with an instrument, in this case a wailing guitar, but that's what Luther Allison was all about. He was a soulful, gritty singer that could rip out a gutsy,rocking blues vocal performance and just as easily deliver a smooth, laid back song with feeling. Luther does both on Reckless, but the listener is never bored. Each song is delivered with the message that Luther means what he is singing. Oh yeah, and let's not forget that fantastic guitar work that first got me hooked on his music. He comes out ripping on Low Down and Dirty and from the first solo to the end you are at his command.The CD doesn't let up from there and I honestly think it is difficult to pick one or two highlights, because there are no clunkers. Luther's guitar almost seems like an extension of his voice as he rips out riffs that complement his singing throughout. He also doesn't fall into that trap of only knowing three riffs like some Blues guitarists. He showed a dynamic range on this CD that only made his death harder to take, because you were left looking forward to the next one. Buy this and any other Luther Allison CD you can get your hands on!

This is, unfortunately, the last in a series of albums Luther Allison recorded late in his career. He was started to become well-known again in the United States, after spending many years in Europe. (He died on tour soon afterward.) It proves to be one of the strongest, most consistent albums Allison ever recorded. One highlight is LIVING IN THE HOUSE OF THE BLUES, which has his typical soul-piercing guitar licks, as well simply a great "bone-chilling" blues feel to it. There is also a wonderful acoustic duet with Luther's son Bernard Allison. As he began to do only on his last few albums, Allison uses all original material, often highlighting social issues. The lyrics are not always profound, but they are heartfelt, as the singing and guitar playing certainly are. Anyone who generally enjoys modern, Chicago-style blues (with strong doses of rock and funk influence) would like almost anything Allison recorded. This is among his best albums.

This is one seriously hot album. His guitar work on "You can, You can" is truly humbling to anyone who has ever picked up the instrument. He's so clean and precise yet funky and rockin it's amazing.

One of the biggest lamentations in my life is that I heard Luther Allison for the first time right about the time he died. I caught a snatch of one of his "Reckless" tunes on a public radio station in Seattle and immediately bought this CD. And man oh man, it smokes. Sadly, so did Luther, and that's why he's no longer with us.

This album is one of the greatest blues albums ever. Every note Luther plays, every word he sings, is coming from his soul. Luther wrenches and coaxes the most emotional electric blues from a Les Paul that I've ever heard! And yet, unlike many electric blues players, Luther Allison never overdoes it - he's appropriate and tasteful at all times. Why? Because this guy was playing for decades before his talent was ever appreciated and recognized in the US.

It was heartbreaking to learn that this awesome, soulful, rocking, bluesman was dead. To see what I mean, watch his video concert "Live in Paradise" or listen to Live In Chicago.

If you enjoy blues on the electric guitar and are prepared to be blown away, buy this album. All beginning blues players should check it out, too. Every song on "Reckless" (with the exception of the acoustic duet with son Bernard) is a heartfelt tour-de-force. I'm so glad Luther recorded this album before cancer took him from us. The song "I'm Back" is bittersweet to hear, because it wasn't long after that that he was gone....

What can I say other than that Luther Allison is the MAN. His music instills a fever that no water can extinguish. Luther left us early but his music remains a mainstay of what I would call the Blues at its' Utmost. This man is what the Blues is all about. Soul wrenching tunes that turn you on, and defintely up, to what is really happening in the world of BLUES. His guitar playing leaves nothing to be desired. If it does then you're in another world. Each tune is masterfully performed and holds every conisseur of Blues by the THROAT. If you're not a

fan of Luther then you are definitely not a fan of the BLUES. Listen to me when I say add this album to your collection. If you don't you'll be sorry.

An excellent example of Allisons talent and hard core blues approach. It was recorded in Memphis , a step away from BB KIngs club and the links to blues greats like Freddy King are evident . This is a very good collection, one of his toughest songs is Pain.

This is the best modern blues album of the 90's barr none. A must have for any modern blues fan. "Living in the House of the Blues" is my favorite blues song of all time.