37 Results for "luther graven"

Serious marks the beginning of Luther Allison's late-'80s/early-'90s hot streak. The more streamlined, rock-oriented approach actually is a benefit, since it gives Allison a shot of energy that makes his guitar simply burn all the way through the record. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide

Lousy album title, great album. Johnson hasn't been based out of Chicago in years, but that sound remains at the heart of his approach -- even when he's recording in Louisiana with a funky New Orleans rhythm section (bassist George Porter, Jr. and drummer Herman Ernest). Jump blues in...

This was Johnson's final album before his death in 1976, and it was originally cut for Black and Blue (now reissued with three bonus tracks). While various tracks reflect the influence of Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed and John Lee Hooker, Johnson's own inimitable vocals, raspy lines and...

This album is more of a memorial to late guitarist Tucker (who died in June 1993) than a solo debut (the tracks were recorded three years before his death). Still, it's a very nice, soulful slice of the funkier edge of blues, a good tribute, and showcases some nice guitar work. ~ Steven...

Pulled from performances at the Chicago Blues Festival, Buddy Guy's Legends club with a couple of strays recorded in Lincoln, NE, that were too good not to include, this two-disc set captures Allison at the absolute peak of his powers. Disc one is the Chicago Blues Festival in its entirety...

Where Have You Been? Live in Montreux 1976-1994 features the exciting lues guitarist/singer Luther Allison on selections taken from four appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Although the title says 1974-1994, the earliest numbers are actually from 1976, and these are the most memorable...

Recorded in a church in 1973, this is one of the great lost albums of '70s free jazz. The label "free," though, is something of a misnomer. There's structure here, just not a classical, rigid, "now it's your turn" thing that binds so much of jazz. Here the...

The appeal of the blues is its earthiness, simplicity, honesty, and the humanity of its purveyors. Got to Find a Way has all of these; plus, it's a rockin' good time from beginning to end. Anchored by five originals and several classic blues songs, this disc finds Luther "Guitar...

In many cases, collections of musical odds and ends -- a live rarity here, an alternate take there -- can be uneven and inconsistent. And the people they're aimed at -- mainly diehard fans and serious collectors -- are willing to live with that. They have more than just a casual interest in...

Live in Paris was recorded in the late '70s, shortly before Luther Allison decided to leave America for France because the U.S. blues scene was faltering. And, as Live in Paris attests, Allison was at his best when he played straight blues with a bit of a wild, electric edge. The album...

Hand Me Down My Moonshine is a refreshing all-acoustic session from Allison that demonstrates a previously hidden side of his talent. Though there are some hard-rocking stomps, his playing reveals new grace and subtlety, making it a necessary purchase for all diehard fans. ~ Thom Owens, All...

On the Road Again, an early-'70s outing, shows Johnson in fine form, assisted by a tough backing band. Cut in France. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide

Luther's Blues is where Luther Allison began to come into his own, developing a fluid, gutsy style full of soulful string bending. There are still a few weak spots, but the album remains an effective slice of contemporary Chicago blues. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide

Made up of outtakes dating back to the Funky Donkey sessions, these are several lost songs that were only discovered during the 2001 remastering of the aforementioned album. Thomas had planned on releasing the album, but for whatever reason these songs remained buried for almost 20 years. Fans...

The very thing that made Luther Allison noteworthy became an albatross around his neck. Years after his initial run of records in the '70s, he was known for the same thing he was at the time -- he was the only lues artist on Gordy, or any Motown affiliated label. This was true and novel,...

Forever, for Always, for Luther is an emotional and heartfelt tribute to the legendary R&B vocalist Luther Vandross, who suffered a diabetes-induced stroke in April 2003 that left him in a coma for several weeks. Top contemporary jazz artists revisit several of his major hits and enable...

Although it has its moments -- particularly on the title track -- Luther Allison's debut album, Love Me Mama, is on the whole uneven, featuring more mediocre tracks than killer cuts. Nevertheless, it offers intriguing glimpses of the style he would later develop. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide