Luther Allison. The "wheel of fortune" passed him by in terms of stardom but WHAT A BLUES GUITARIST.
I'm poking around in iTunes, making a mix CD of his last four studio albums.
Luther was dying of cancer on his final tour but when out on the road anyway, just like Albert Collins. As Bob Dylan sang on his "Infidels" album, "You gotta play your harp till your lips bleed."
Luther went out with his boots on, just like Albert and John Lee and Muddy and any player who mattered. Because if you are a true musician, the music is never "optional." You never "retire." Rich rock stars do that until it's time to rake in the cash from the "comeback tour." Real musicians play as long as their last breath is still in them.
He had a style all his own, but for people who like quick and easy comparisons, he's from the Buddy Guy school of the blues. He'd do shuffles and slow blues and every once in a while he'd just peel the paint off the walls with a solo that would make your hair stand on end.
"Cherry Red Wine" might have been as close as he came to a hit.
Walter Trout...a blues guitarist who paid his dues with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers...did an album recently called "Luther's Blues" which paid long-overdue tribute.
I don't think it's possible for a person to call themselves a fan of blues music if they're not familiar with Luther's career.
Here's "Cherry Red Wine." Enjoy.
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