Performer Notes

Personnel: Luther Allison (guitar, vocals); James Solberg, Charlie Bingham (guitar); Bruce McCabe (piano); Ernest Williamson, Mike Vlahakis (keyboards); Dave Smith, Ken Faltinson (bass); Steve Potts, Robb Stupka (drums); Jacqueline Johnson, Jacquelyn Reddick (background vocals).
The Memphis Horns: Wayne Jackson (trumpet, trombone); Andrew Love (tenor saxophone).
Recorded at 315 Beale Studios, Memphis, Tennessee and 10 Maple Street Studio, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Personnel: Luther Allison (vocals, guitar); Jacquelyn Reddick, Jacqueline Johnson (vocals, background vocals); Charlie Bingham, James Solberg (guitar); Andrew Love (tenor saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet, trombone); Bruce McCabe (piano); Ernest Williamson, Mike Vlahakis (keyboards); Steve Potts , Rob Stupka (drums).
Audio Mixers: Jim Gaines; John Hampton.
Recording information: 10 Maple Street Studio, Eau Claire, WI (1994); 315 Beale Studios, Memphis, TN (1994).
Photographers: Marc Norberg; Steve Cooke; Paul Natkin.
Luther Allison did perhaps more than anyone to take the Chicago blues tradition of the 1950s and bring it up to date for the '80s and '90s. His 1995 album BLUE STREAK is one of the finest examples of that process. Throughout, Allison's gruff, throaty vocals and hard-driving, visceral guitar style cut through on arrangements that pay homage to the earlier work of Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, et al, but bear a distinctly more contemporary touch. The rhythm section in particular, operates with a feel that's undoubtedly rock-informed, though they thankfully never venture into actual blues-rock territory, and the grooves often bear just a touch of funk. For his part, Allison delivers every song like his life depended on it, giving his emotional all on ballads and barn-burners alike.

Professional Reviews

Down Beat (12/95, p.71) - 3.5 Stars - Good/Very Good - "...a uniformly excellent collection of insightful original songs delivered with authoritative vocals and blazing guitar solos....he manages to never be totally out of control while also being equally unpredictable."

JazzTimes (3/96, p.109) - "More hard-edged blues from this intense blues man....Superbly crafted, well recorded, highly recommended."

Dirty Linen (2-3/96, p.85) - "...possibly the best electric blues album of the year, shows that Luther Allison's "comeback" of last year was no fluke, and that he has the instrumental chops, vocal power, and songwriting skills to stay at the top."

Musician (11/95, p.92) - "...leaves rock stylings...behind and displays an emotional and instrumental weight....Backed by a brawny, dense band, he's admirably direct on vocals, and his guitar work, in the classic [Chicago] West Side manner, displays plenty of sizzle and snap..."

Album: Blue Streak
#	Song Title	Time
1)	All the King's Horses
2)	What Have I Done Wrong?
3)	Big City
4)	Move from the Hood
5)	What's Going on in My Home?
6)	I Believe in You
7)	Cherry Red Wine
8)	Walking Papers
9)	Think With Your Heart
10)	You Don't Know
11)	Should I Wait?
12)	Midnight Creeper

Album: Blue Streak
#	Song Title	Time
1)	All the King's Horses
2)	What Have I Done Wrong?
3)	Big City
4)	Move from the Hood
5)	What's Going on in My Home?
6)	I Believe in You
7)	Cherry Red Wine
8)	Walking Papers
9)	Think With Your Heart
10)	You Don't Know
11)	Should I Wait?
12)	Midnight Creeper