MUSIC: Luther Allison

Luther Allison (1939-1997) is little known outside Blues circles which is a shame. Even more of a shame is that he died just as he'd begun to establish himself as one of the very best of modern bluesmen and when he was writing, singing, and playing electric guitar better than he had done in the rest of his life.

He started early in the 60's but did nothing of note until the 70's when he became the only bluesman ever signed by Tamla Motown. Despite recording some pretty good albums, they didn't do good business, and he was dropped. Following tradition, like many other black bluesmen (and while there are genuine white bluesmen they are few and far between), he buggered off to Europe and lived in France for a number of years where he recorded for several labels. Always a good live performer, many of these were live albums.

But his real talent only final burst into flame when Bruce Iglauer signed him for legendary label Alligator -an independent blues label with a wide definition of what constituted the Blues and the source of many of the greatest Blues recordings in the last 30 years -check out any of their many compilations. When he signed for Alligator, Allison became a man on fire as his blend of blues, rock, funk, and even reggae electrified audiences. His voice roared, his songs were great, his guitar playing brilliant, his backing band hot. His 2-disc live album for Alligator -Live in Chicago- is one of the greatest live Blues albums ever.

Luther Allison was flying until his cancer-ridden body finally failed. But he died as one of the greatest Bluesmen of his time.