Serious
As bluesmen go, Luther Allison rocked, especially onSeriousand subsequent recordings. This 1987 recording marked the beginning of a more rock-oriented approach for the singer-guitarist, which certainly contributed to Allison's rise in prominence, a climb that continued until his death in 1997.Seriousis a bundle of barely restrained energy, from the opening chords of the stomping shuffle "Backtrack" to the wry "We're on the Road." "Life is a Bitch" is straight-up rock & roll, and "Parking Lot" crunches and burns all the way through. But Allison was also capable of a tender moment or two, and "Reaching Out" edges all the way into soul. "Just Memories" contains real sweetness, and "Show Me a Reason" is tightly wound from its slow-burning opening to its rock-out finish.Seriousis often underrated, possibly because of its rock & roll overtones, but its energy and enthusiasm make it required listening for Allison aficionados.--Genevieve Williams