Search - Luther Allison :: Bad News Is Coming

Awesome blues...

B. Bowman | Jersey, United States | 12/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Bad News Is Coming" was Luther Allison's debut album and from the first track, (his version of Willie Dixon's "Little Red Rooster"), he EXPLODES with an intensity that is refreshing every time I hear it. He belted out his vocals in a raspy, impassioned wail, and his guitar playing was just as searing. This should have been a smash, although the blues market was drying up by the time this was released in 1972 and it ultimately didn't sell in big numbers. Luther Allison himself is quoted in the liner notes as saying that he got lost in the shuffle when Motown moved from Detroit to L.A. Luther Allison was an amazing guitarist and unfortunately remains underrated. Songs like his own "Raggedy and Dirty" are perfect examples of how he could play the blues over a funky groove and just sound plain DIRTY. I don't know how else to describe it. He didn't hold anything back on this album. Also notable is the piano playing of Paul White, who has some great solos on this one. If you are a fan of the blues and haven't heard Luther Allison, this CD serves as a good introduction to this unsung performer."

Luther Allison at his finest

Mark Paganucci | Houston, Texas | 07/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The "Bad News Is Coming" album was released in 1972 in the universe of the motown empire. A blast of stratosheric energy came Luther Allison.On this album he unleashes his blazing guitar licks on such songs as "Bad News Is Coming","Raggedy And Dirty" and explores the wild side of Willie Dixon's songs "Little Red Rooster" and "Evil Is Going On". This CD is truly a must for any true blue fanatic"

Luther Allison on Motown

tgfabthunderbird | York, PA United States | 11/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An incendiary guitarist and all-around performer...I first came across Allison's "Serious" back in the mid-80's, and the power of his voice and that nasty slide guitar had me hooked from the start.



I first dug up a dusty vinyl copy of this Motown release, and was struck by it's sound. Generally simple arrangements, but they conveyed a young Allison's determination. As far as I know, he was the only blues artist on Motown, at a time when the label was still in power on the production of soul/R&B hits for the Supremes, the Temptations and the like.



Mostly standards, Allison tears through "Little Red Rooster," "Evil Is Going On" and "Dust My Broom" and makes them his own. The funky "Raggedy and Dirty" remains one of my favorite personal tracks, and I detect a little Jimi Hendrix in there somewhere.



On this CD, the bonus tracks are a great addition, Allison's version of "Sweet Home Chicago" and songs like "Take My Love" really filling things out.



A great document on the early Allison. His roots weren't just in the blues, as his career would bear out. I can't say enough about this one, it's special in more ways than one."