Search - Luther Allison :: Reckless

Jim P. (Guitarmusiclover11) from BRUCE, WI
Reviewed on 3/27/2011...

Luther Allison was a great blues artists for reasons that go beyond his guitar talent.
He had a very good voice for the blues and that voice sang about social issues.
He was a prolific songwriter and he used that gift to address issues.

This cd is a very good studio disc of Luther's music.
But the thing about Luther Allison's music that I find to be rare is that the "live" versions have a different aspect to them. You feel more the power of Allison's style of blues.
Take "Cancel My Check" as an example. The live version is around two minutes longer than the studio track. While there is an introduction in the live version, there is also a tangibly higher level of passion that seeps through the "live" track. I'm not implying that these songs are flat or dull, "Reckless" contains some of my favorite Luther Allison tunes. Just noting a difference and a personal preference.

This cd has a strong selection of songs.
Some of my favorites in addition to "Cancel My Check" are "Low Down And Dirty", "It's A Blues Thing", and "Drowning At The Bottom".
You won't find a dog on this cd.

"Reckless" is excellent Chicago style blues by one of the best blues guitar artists of all.
Another personal observation about Luther Allison's guitar playing... he used a Gibson Les Paul type guitar and he could make that guitar talk! He may have left us early, but his music also left a mark for us to appreciate for years to come.

Mark M. (tmm2112) from MADISON, AL
Reviewed on 8/30/2006...

Good blues tunes. Good quality recording. Luther has a great blues voice and great blues licks. CD is in like new condition.

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Last and best recording.......talk about going out on top!

Paul Tringale | massachusetts , United States | 06/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a shame that Luther had to leave us so soon. He was seemingly just reaching his creative peak before he was taken from us. He managed to leave us this impassioned piece of work, a combination of searing guitar work and emotion-filled vocals. His last three cd's with alligator records: "Soul Fixin Man" (1994), "Blue Streak" (1995), and "Reckless" (1997) are all superb, with this one being the best in my opinion. There is not a clunker to be found here. Luther mixes up slow numbers with uptempo tracks and it's all good. If i had to pick any highlights, they would have to be "Living in the House of the Blues" and "Drowning at the Bottom". These two songs also happen to represent the loudest and most powerful tracks on the cd. They capture perfectly Luther's ablity to transmit emotion in his playing and singing. His use of a Gibson les paul guitar is a refreshingly different sound to the abundance of blues players out there that use fender's. The les paul has a certain "growl" to it's sound that a fender tele or strat can't match. Luther uses his les paul to great advantage, releasing an energy while playing that few if any guitarists can attain. His voice seems to be an extension of his guitar sound: deep, soulful, and a little rough around the edges. I highly recommend this cd to any lover of blues."

Luther's Swan Song

Steven Sly | Kalamazoo, MI United States | 01/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Reckless" would prove to be Allison's final album. While on tour for this CD he developed a brain tumor and died only a few months later. I saw him only a week or so before the tumor was discovered. He played a 1500 seat sold out theater and did 3 hours non-stop. It was possibly the best blues show I have ever witnessed as he was on fire all night. I had tickets to see him again later in the summer, but unfortunately that show never happened. The album itself is strong, but not quite as good as his previous effort. This one has even more of a funky 70's vibe featured. Allison tackles social issues more in this album with several tracks including "There Comes A Time", "Pain In The Streets", and "Will it ever change". He also does a duet with his son Bernard (a great blues player in his own right) called "Playing A Loosing Game". The album also includes a great version of "Living In The House Of The Blues"."