ALBUM REVIEW: Bernard Allison – Songs From the Road

Ruf Records - January 31st 2020

Back in 2009 the late great Luther Allison had a live CD and DVD collection released posthumously by his label Ruf. Allison died on August 12, 1997, just five days before his 58th birthday, and shorty after his final studio record ‘Reckless’  had been released. The album, entitled ‘Songs From the Road’ was recorded in Montreal in 1997.

23 years after his passing his son Bernard has released a collection with the same format and title. This set though was recorded at Dortmund’s Musiktheater Piano club when Bernard and his band played there in October 2019.  You can imagine that dad would be proud with the results as Bernard’s raw Soul-infused Blues is music made to be played and enjoyed live.

With 8 albums prior to this already under his belt Bernard still has a way to catch his Dad’s prolific output but if you’ve followed him lately then you’ll know that his recent releases have just gotten better and better. There are five tracks here for example from his latest studio album 2018’s ‘Let It Go’.

If you’re not familiar with Bernard’s back catalogue though then this is a very good place to start – you see a band on fire and audience who know they’re having one of those nights you’ll remember forever and it’s all against the backdrop of some truly wonderful Soulful Blues.

Try the roar of opener ‘Night Train’ or the wonderful Chicago sounds of ‘I Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’,’Cruisin For A Bluesin”, ‘and ‘Backdoor Man’ and tell me you’re not moved. There’s even a touch of Luther when Bernard plays his rendition of his dad’s classic ‘Let’s Try it Again’ – it’s a wonderful interpretation.

Simply put – one of the best live Blues DVDs I’ve seen in a long while.

Tracklist CD 1 Night Train 05:02 | 2 Stay With Me Tonight 04:47 | 3 You’re Gonna Need Me 09:54 | 4 I Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind 04:54 | 5 Call Me Momma 06:03 | 6 Feels Kinda Funny 03:23 | 7 Cruisin’ For A Bluesin 06:00 | 8 Same Ole Feeling 05:27 | 9 Let’s Try It Again 09:56 | 10 Meet Me Halfway 03:56 | 11 Backdoor Man 05:02 | 12 Something’s Wrong | 05:55 | 13 Slide Master 05:40
DVD 1 Stanky issues 04:17 | 2 Night Train | 04:59 | 3 Stay With Me Tonight 04:46 |4 The Way Love Was Meant To Be 10:27 |5 I Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind 05:11 | 6 Call Me Momma 06:22 | 7 Feels Kinda Funny 03:21 | 8 Cruisin For A Bluesin 06:10 | 9 Same Ole Feeling 05:35 | 10 Let’s Try It Again 11:38 | 11 Meet Me Halfway 04:13 | 12 Backdoor Man 05:06 | 13 Storms Of Life | 07:20 | 14 You’re Gonna Need Me 04:55 | 15 Something’s Wrong 06:00 | 016 Slide Master 06:11
Musicians Bernard Allison – Vocals, Guitar Dylan Salfer – Guitar George Moye – Bass Mario Dawson – Drums José James – Sax, Percussion
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