Question:
Anyone else like Luther Allison ?
2007-11-07 13:53:39 UTC
Along with many other blues performers, I've
aways liked Luther. One of my favorite albums by him was Luther's Blues. Anyone remember him or add a comment on the album I mentioned ? All responses are appreciated.

Thanks
Seven answers:
2007-11-08 13:43:18 UTC
Hello,



When i saw this question, and it's particular reference to the album "Luthers Blues," I almost passed out. Why ?



In addition to working with Luther as a side man in the early-mid 70's, I was the primary bass player on the Luther's Blues album. Without repeating my name here, just look up the personnel and compare them to my initials here.



"Kman" and others who provided something other than a wise-crack answer to your question, have got Luther pegged pretty well.



He is/was, in my opinion, always underrated, as I know that he never received the recognition he deserved. For one thing, he never fully embraced the Chicago blues scene, and actually preferred working most anywhere else. He told me once, that Chicago was so full of "cats" doing the same 'ol thing, that he thought that his performance schedule should include cities/regions that did not have a claim to "owning the blues." As a matter of fact, and although he originally came from the south, he called Milwaukee his home during the period that we worked together.



With particular regard to the album you mentioned.......It was recorded at Motown studio "A." As Mr. Gordy saw Luther as a second/third tier contractee, the budget for the album was modest.



I was, and remain proud to have been a part of the production, and was even co-credited with authoring on eof the tunes - "Now you got it." Notice that the bass and drums alone comprise the intro. LOL



Another fellow (at the time) who played a lot of guitar on the album was Gene Bloch (a.k.a. Gene Black.) He married my sister. They live in the SF valley just outside of LA. Gene and I are still active musicians although we're a world apart as to the genre.



Gene is, and has been, Joe Cocker's lead guitar player for years, and spends a great deal of time in Europe where Joe still has a strong fan base. I, on the other hand, after working Vegas and Reno for some years, (where I met Lee Greenwood) headed to Nashville, and have worked with a number of C&W "recording artists."



Well.......could write a book here, but will leave you to "google up" a bio of Luther. There are a number of tribute sites out there.



Oh.....just one more bit of trivia regarding the album, the drummer J. G. Knight (real name = Kenny Mills,) had just left Ted Nugent's group a couple o months prior to recording. We struck up a terrific relationship as friends and fellow musicians for many years thereafter.



Thanks for remembrance of a terrific blues musician, and an equally nice guy.
Kman
2007-11-07 22:38:56 UTC
Luther Allison has to be on the list of "most underrated blues musicians." His influences were Freddie King, Magic Sam and Hound Dog Taylor. He left us too soon, from cancer, on 8/17/97. I have the following CDs.



Live At Montreux 1976-1994

Love Me Mama

Love Me Papa

Luther's Blues(In my opinion "Driving Wheel" and "Easy Baby" are the gems in this outstanding album)

Reckless



He recorded for Blind Pig, Delmark and Evidence among others.
2007-11-08 06:16:06 UTC
Yes, Luther was something. I saw him perform one night at Harpo's on the east side of Detroit when "Backtrackin'" was a minor hit for him in the mid 1980s.



Too bad he had to hide in Europe all those years, keeping him apart from his brilliant Hammond B3 partner, Sid Winfield. I got to chat with Sid once and he said it was magic being onstage with Luther.



Great guitarist and entertainer - what a night!
P R
2007-11-08 14:12:04 UTC
Luther was an awesome player, if you really want to hear how great he was listen to any of his live albums, and also check out his son Benard he is really awesome.
2007-11-07 21:59:12 UTC
I had him on vinyl playing w/James Cotton (around 1972) -- too bad I ditched all my vinyl years ago...he had real good chops...never got any of his solo stuff...
hookerln
2007-11-08 05:12:09 UTC
i love him. he influenced so many people. there are so many covers of his songs and most people don't know it.
Jon P
2007-11-07 21:56:26 UTC
never heard of him


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