Luther Allison - Live in Chicago

The blues world lost a treasure when Luther Allison died in 1997, just as he was finally garnering the recognition he so richly deserved. If there's any question of that, this live album, recorded at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival and at Buddy Guy's Legends, will dispel any such notion. A performer and songwriter of the first order, Allison had the sort of mastery of his instrument that comes from long experience; whether rolling off licks on the "Gambler's Blues/Sweet Little Angel" medley, or playing extended solos on "All the King's Horses," Allison's on the ball and in control at all times. This album contains mostly newer material previously recorded for Alligator Records, like "Soul Fixin' Man," "Bad Love," "All the King's Horses," and "What Have I Done Wrong?" Overall, this is an excellent memorial to a musician who should be remembered. --Genevieve Williams Amazon.com

Watching YOU, babe...watching you, ALL the time...

I've got to say this right up front...if "Live In Chicago" doesn't send you a powerful message about your commitment to your own life and the degree to which you're doing what you were put here to do, stop reading the review right here. This is not the CD for you.

Luther was...and is...a bluesman. He wasn't born BB or Freddie or Albert of John Lee or Buddy, so he went to Paris and elsewhere to seek his fortunes. In 1984, blues visionary Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records gave Luther a chance at his New Renaissance. The resulting albums...Soul Fixin' Man, Blue Streak, and Reckless...will peel the paint right off of your walls if you have the courage to listen to them.

Luther wasn't BB. He wasn't Freddie. He wasn't Albert. He wasn't John Lee. He wasn't Buddy. But he deserves to stand next to them when the list of blues legends is read aloud.

Luther Allison journeyed to the next world on August 12, 1997.

"Live In Chicago" comes from performances at Buddy Guy's Legends (November 4th, 1995) and The Zoo Bar (Lincoln, NE, May 7, 1997).

"Live In Chicago" doesn't sound like the work of a dying man. It sounds like the work of a man on FIRE...an eternal flame that still burns on the day I'm writing this review, November 2nd, 2007...8 years after the CD's release.

There are no highlights on this CD. Disc 1 and Disc 2, from beginning to end, are the highlights. My all-time personal favorite song from Luther, "Cherry Red Wine" (from 1995's Blue Streak), becomes a terrifying eight-minute roller coaster ride. Luther's joined by Otis Rush on the medley of "Gambler's Blues/Sweet Little Angel." They're worth mentioning but they're only sparks in a much bigger fire.

You were put on this earth to accomplish something. Listen to "Live In Chicago" and get busy accomplishing it. Luther did. There are no unwritten chapters in the book of his life. He came, he saw, he CONQUERED. "Live In Chicago" is the proof. R.I.P., Bluesman...R.I.P. November 2, 2007

RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "Chicago native, comes home "LIVE" to play the blues!"

It's unfortunate that Luther had to leave America and go to Europe to make a living, due to lack of interest in America. When he was invited to come home to Chicago for the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival, he came back with a vengeance! This DOUBLE CD, YES DOUBLE! Is a gem and a bargain. There is not one weak song on these CD's. Part of the performances take place at Buddy Guy's, Legend's nightclub. In addition, to the above, he teams up with his idol OTIS RUSH, ON A 10 MINUTE AND 25 SECOND tour de force of "GAMBLER'S BLUES/SWEET LITTLE ANGEL"! This CD (S) is on my 20 greatest electric blues guitar CD list. January 23, 2007

Great Blues Album From Late Guitar Slinger Luther Allison

Luther Allison died just as he was on the verge of gaining the recognition in America that he so greatly wanted and richly deserved.

Live in Chicago features a broad range of guitar playing, from the straight-ahead blues playing on Soul Fixing Man and Cherry Red Wine, to great slide playing on Give Me Back My Wig, to plaintive singing and playing on Big City and You're Going To Make Me Cry.

Luther Allison is more than another tragic story of great talent lost too soon. On Live In Chicago, he proves that he has achieved music immortality with the skill, heart, and talent of someone whose music will be celebrated forever. May 7, 2006

Blues Star Makes His Own Way Foreign and Comes Home To the States for a Huge Comback Like We've Never Seen!

Picture this: a blues musician that started out emulating BB King's licks eventually takes over Freddy King's band in Chicago at the peak of when blues are hot! He then goes on to become the only blues musician to record for Motown (at the same time Marvin Gaye is laying down hits!)and not only that his Motown album becomes the highest sold from an unknown's first album ever. To juice up the story a bit more let us say he is the only guitarist that can effectively have a full conversation with his guitar and to in 1960 break the sound barrier with later day Mariah Carey screams! Too good to be true?

Well Luther Allison accomplished that and much more in the '60s when he left America for a much better appreciative crowd for the blues in Paris. He stayed there till this album where he came back to his roots in Chicago for the first time in ages, and well listen for yourself he blew their minds with his intense playing (he was known for his scorching 4 hour no mercy shows), and he had no holdbacks about singing about serious issues at all very shocking to blues world at the time and still shocking to this day. I can't say enough about Luther Allison, and still I couldn't say enough in 10 lifetimes about this one particular album it is the culmination of everthing. It is the one must own, it captures a lifetime of a great man in one setting what more could you ask for? March 26, 2006

Luther Is The Man

This Live Blues set from 1995 shortly before his death is a classic. Luther's guitar style has several sounds. His Chicago Blues style with lots of horns, to his party band sound, as well as several slide sets, this is a very impressive album. His 'Gimme Back My Wig' is a slide extravaganta. My favorite, 'All The King's Horses' is a searing, blistering nearly 12 minute version that leaves you panting for more. We will enjoy this one for years to come. This set is truly a masterpiece. April 8, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...