Customer Reviews

Sweet Home Chicago

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

 

 

Thisa one of the few pieces by Luther that I don't have. In December of 1969, I was producing a show at the U of R. My final one, before handing over the reins to 'new blood'. That show was to headline with Magic Sam, Big Mama Thornton, John Littlejohn and Lucky Peterson. One week before the show, I got the news that Magic Sam had died of a heart at age 32! Big Mama crapped out, and Willie Dixon gave me Koko Taylor (with Otis Spann, Matt Murphy, Luther Tucker and S.P. Leary in the band.) But enough of that.
Dick Waterman called me and said he had a guy who wanted to do a tribute to Sam. That guy was Luther Allison. All I can say is he was electrifying!
And I guess he was impressed with the way I put together the show, as he asked me to be his personal manager! I couldn't, but I did bail the guy out when the motor on his wagon died (still have the cancelled check.)
I saw Luther one more time when he played at Rochester the next year...with a surprise visit by Buddy Guy. By then, Luther had matured even more. Even better playing and vocal.
While he has been dead for quite a few years, I'll never forget his energy on stage.

Fine Live Album that shows Luther Allisons never ending energy.
Not always the most harmonious arrangements, but rocking energy and soulful singing.

For those who missed seeing Luther Allison, this collection from the seventies finds him at the top of his game as a great old school blues man who pumped fresh energy and passion into some fine old songs from Elmore James, Robert Johnson and Buddy Guy. He puts his distinctive twist into each one, particularly his supercharged version of "Sweet Home Chicago", a song he used to close his shows during this period. Luther took over Freddie King's band after King's early death and he pays an intense tribute to him in "I'm Going Down". Luther had an electrifying effect upon his audiences, the women even more so than the men and he struts his stuff in his fine "I Got Worries." As a devoted admirer of Luther Allison since I first heard him in the early eighties, this album remains one of his four best.

I've never seen a review on this. Why? Has everybody slept on a great 'live' Luther Allison disc. I had this on record and had to purchase again on disc. Luther starts off burnin', but when he gets to I'm Gonna Leave You Alone, he really lets loose. This is true gut bucket soul. And then he finishes with Sweet Home Chicago. If you never heard Luther Allison before, this set will make you a fan. If you have heard of Luther Allison before, but you don't have this one, you've cheated yourself.