Bernard Allison

By Arthur Shuey

Bernard Allison
Energized (Live in Europe)
RUF Records 1113
www.rufrecords.de

Oh yes, nice work. Some of the best. Very "Wish I'd been at THAT show." He really does carry on the tradition of his father (the great Luther Allison)'s talent and showmanship without being to any extent at all imitative. First recorded at age 13 alongside his father, Bernard got the best stage education, going from Luther to Koko Taylor to Willie Dixon, becoming a real part of real Chicago blues, weathering his voice (he's barely in his 40s and has that timeless blues vocal quality) to reach today. His amps are custom, his guitars many, his instrumental sound remarkably consistent and just plain remarkable ... you know that neck is warm.
This is a double CD live blues release. It's a night with a great blues band, having fun with the topics, the power and the potential of the blues. It reminds us of why blues is America's music and it reminds us of why that's such a good thing.