Chicago-born Bernard Allison apprenticed under blues heavyweights Koko Taylor and Willie Dixon before relocating to Paris. While overseas, he triumphantly toured with his father, Luther, while making a name for himself. He returned to the States in the late 90s and joined a select circle of musicians who define modern blues and are insistent to carry the genre into the future. He is contemporary blues' best crossover artist. On this disc Bernard will appeal to a rock audience while not completely distancing himself from the blues purists. The 52 minute CD carries 13 songs and is instinctively unique. With only 2 originals, Bernard proves to be a more proficient musician (guitar/vocals) than songwriter. He covers/performs a diverse range of music written by Luther Allison, Rico McFarland, Mark Knopfler, Johnny Winter, ZZ Top and Leon Russell. Rock and roll is definitely in this man's blood. His regular touring powerhouse rhythm section (Jassen Wilber bass, Ron Sutton drums) appears on 1/3 of the songs while the fiery David Smith and Rob Stupka handle the remainder. None of these four play passively. They all actively participate in the music and extrude rebellious youth.
The title tune is laid back and oh so groovin' thanks to being spiced with the right amount of downtown funk. "Down South" has a heavy beat where Bernard's vocals are growling and his guitar is ripping. Bruce McCabe's brilliance on piano ensures no gaps are left unfilled. Ever wonder what you'd get if you cross pollinated the blues with hip-hop? Just listen to McFarland's forward thinking "Just Do Me Any Way You Want". The song is ready for primetime thanks to McCabe's piano, Ricky Peterson's B3 and Chico Perez's percussion. Speed racing like an out-of-control dragster piledriving everything in its path is "Mean Town Blues". Here, Bernard maintains the same aggression as on Winter's original. If Tone-Cool/Artemis hasn't released "Snake Bit Again" as a single than shame on them. This pop-rocker is chart-topping material. Kat Wilson's backing vocals are grand here and on "Reaching Out" where David Eiland's sax solo depicts a hustling, metropolitan nightclub. Allison knows how to arrange a number so that it attacks your inner emotions and tears them apart. Experience it for yourself on "Help Me Through The Day" where he plays passionately and gently. The two sole original numbers are both barnburning, mean instrumentals that feature Bernard's bad-ass and heavy kickin' slide.
The CD's basic front and back covers didn't prevent it from debuting high on the Billboard blues chart. Bernard Allison now stands on his own as an artist. Listeners will enjoy how Bernard expands the blues to be hip and cool. In countless interviews, he has been quoted, 'I tell everyone I'm not a bluesman I'm a musician'. On Storms Of Life, Bernard Allison is widely appealing due to his unobtrusive yet highly commanding vocals and his precisely timed guitar solos which are skillfully orchestrated. As he states in the liner, 'turn that shit up, sit back and groove with me!'
For CDs, booking and information, contact: Tone-Cool Records, PO Box 81034, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-0001 USA E-mail: info@tonecool.com Website: www.tonecool.com Artist website: www.bernardallison.com
Simply click on the CD cover at left to order this CD NOW!
This review is copyright © 2002 by Tim Holek, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.
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