Ruf (label)
16 October 2026 (released)
3 h
It’s quite a shock to realise that Bernard Allison is no longer a ‘talent in the making’, rather, he is fully arrived, and his thirty years career has produced some superb Blues.
Son of the renowned Luther Allison, Bernard has played with all the greats in his career and he has brought in guitarists Larry McCray, Devon Allman and Matthew Curry, violinist Heather Hardy and piano virtuoso Victor Wainwright along with nephew Jasper Allison and niece Lyndsey Allison, adding soulful backing vocals. He has added rhythm guitar from Stevie J Blues (who also co-wrote five of the seven originals) as well as his regular band mates drummer Sam Butts Jr III, keyboardist Eric Roberts and long-time bassist George Moye.
His influences are strongly Texas based with Johnny Winter and Stevie ray Vaughan quite clear, as well of course, his father as well.
The sound is very much his normal style, a soulful Blues with a funky element but the music goes a little wider due to the friends playing with him.
“I’ve always wanted to record an album, bringing family and friends together!! Loving You is simply showing my appreciation and respect for my family and friends. So, I decided to invite & collaborate with a selected group of musicians and family members. I placed them on tracks where I felt they could bring out their true emotions and musical passions. We created a well-rounded album full of surprises, while showing our appreciation to all of our musical influences & genres. WE laid down my blues foundation, with a taste of Funk, R&B, & Rock!! And we did it, The Allison Way!!!” explains Bernard Allison (aka “BA” on the circuit).
Musically, this is a terrific example of funky Blues. Opener, ‘Left Me With My Guitar’ has some gorgeous soloing with Allison’s vocals positively crackling.
‘Time Traveller’ is right in the Johnny Guitar Watson kind of groove, absolutely funky as hell.
‘Loving You’ itself is a groove laden tour de force. ‘Slide On Over’ is simply beautiful – a soul infused raunchy number.
There is also a wonderful version of Johnny Winter’s ‘Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo’.
All together, a terrific slice of classic Blues, still fresh after listening a dozen times.
