It occurs to me that I haven’t done a “listening party” in a while, and I was listening to some Bernard Allison today and thought I’d share with you.

Bernard Allison is the son of Chicago bluesman, Luther Allison. As a child Bernard used to go to blues festivals with his father and began sharing a stage with him at the ripe young age of 18.

Right after high school he joined Koko Taylor’s touring band and also did some stints with Johnny Winter while he honed his guitar skills.

As a frontman, Bernard has released over a dozen albums around the world and continues to play and tour extensively.

And while I would not call Bernard one of the more traditional blues players, I really like his slightly funky sound and firey chops.

As a young man, here he holds his own with none other that SRV himself at a club gig (recognize the guitar strap?):

Here’s one of his more recent tunes, showcasing his funkified sound: (gear junkie note – check the Mesa/Boogie amp behind him… the only other blues player I know that is known for using a Boogie is Walter Trout though he plays a Mark series amp, not the Rectifier series.)

One of the things Bernard is known for is his great slide playing, so check this one out where the slide is front and center:

Hope you enjoyed these and if you did, check out of more from Bernard Allison and support blues music around the world!

 


    27 replies to "Listening Party With Bernard Allison"

    • Tom Lillard

      I thought Derrick Trucks was the best slide player that I had seen, but check out Dust my Broom by Bernard Allison. Germany 2005 I think. Incredible playing.

    • Alex Mowatt

      Great stuff Griff. I recently carried out an excell listing of my near three thousand CDS, to determine how much they cost my to accumulate,and typically came across Luther Allison among a series of Blues CDs ( ninety in total) so I was aware of Lther’s place on in the history of the Blues. Bernard was not, previously, in my radar. He looks like a reggie take on, dare I say it, Jimi Hendrix. The lasting image is the size of his fingers and how well he can control his playing. I shall certainly be checking more of his available material.

    • Alex Mowatt

      Great stuff Griff. I recently carried out an excell listing of my near three thousand CDS, to determine how much they cost my to accumulate,and typically came across Luther Allison among a series of Blues CDs ( ninety in total) so I was aware of Lther’s place on in the history of the Blues. Bernard was not, previously, in my radar. He looks like a reggie take on, dare I say it, Jimi Hendrix. The lasting image is the size of his fingers and how well he can control his playing. I shall certainly be checking more of his available material. I incidentally use programs from a company called Collectorz.com to record not only my CDs but DVDs and books. The down side these programs they do not make provision, so far, for financial outlay. I must pick up my guitars more and spend less time worrying of how much I have spent in the past. Keep up the great work Griff. I was pleased to hear of your travels with your son to determine the potential university he will attend to further his musical knowledge.

    • steve whitmore

      Very, very cool stuff. Just got a few minutes to give a listen, and know I will listen to some more from these guys. Great interplay w/in the band. Obviously have played together for awhile & have respect for the talents of the others in the group. Absolutely love the groove…

    • Terry Terrell
    • Peter Fegredo

      Hi Griff,
      London calling you. This second video gives me goose bumps. Really gets me going. Fantastic stuff. Great post. I’d never heard of Bernard but,I do now. Thank you so much for sharing.

    • Dewey

      To answer your question, I had not heard of the Bernard Allison Group. But he has quite a unique style and plays really well. I listened to some more of his music on You Tube and I like the wonderful mix of funk and blues. Nice. Thanks Griff. A real gem.

    • Paul F

      Good to find out about someone “new” Thanks for the tip Griff.As you said …great slide player..

    • Jack

      WOW < I think you just introduced me to my newest HERO , I am embarrass to say I never heard of him before , this man is a mix of my three favorite styles of music , old school R&B , Funk , and , last but not least Rock N Blues
      thank you very much , nice gift Griff !!! Jack

    • Peter-James

      Im as some of the others….Never heard of Bernard or Luther prior to this.
      Stunningly Awesome!
      Thanks Griff for these videos……
      A new fan gauranteed!

    • John ten Have

      Oh my, my…..

      Thanks Griff! Mesmerizing.

    • John Newton

      I was fortunate enough to meet and become friends with Luther Allison and remember Bernard from his first “international”gig working as his father’s guitar tech. His own talent may have been born from Luther’s influence but it is Bernard’s own drive and love of music that gives us such pleasure today.
      To quote his dad and maybe give everyone reading this some of that inspiration …… ” Leave your ego, play the music, love the people ”

      R.I.P. Luther…. Play on Bernard !

      • Gary HyltonI

        John and Griff,

        I wonder what planet I have been on all my life that I would have missed both Luther Allison and his son Bernard! Without question Luther lives on through his son Bernard!!

        Old School & Still Rockin’

    • John St Jean

      Sweet Sweet sounds and grooves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Jeff Piersons

      This guy is awesome and the keyboard player is outta this world! Thanks for sharing!

    • Ritchie

      Awesome! Thank You Griff.

    • Charles Snyder

      Sorry to say I’ve not heard this guy before, but I’ll be checking him out on iTunes. Thanks Griff, that man is great!

    • DAVE BURKE

      Great third video… I’m used to hearing that with my kilt on! And I have several of Luther’s CDs as well as Walter Trout’s tribute, “Luther’s Blues”, but I had never heard of Bernard before. Thanks for sharing.

    • Ron

      Very nice, I really like the jam in the 3rd video, especially the back and forth with the bass. He has a very interesting picking style.

    • Joyce L

      What a great start to a rainy Saturday morning! Thank you, Griff!!

    • tony

      Nice stuff to go along with morning coffee . Never heard of this guy and his band . Its was good to see Stevie in a video jam . Thanks for that.

    • Steve

      Thanks for sharing this, Griff. Those three songs were good for my soul! Very therapeutic! I’ll be listening to plenty of Bernard Allison from now and telling people to check him out. He’s got it, that’s fo realz, bro!

    • David McCannell

      Thanks very much, you made my day! Another blues great for me to listen to.

    • Carlos Nells

      Great band…tight. Can’t sit still around these guys.

    • Gregory Miles

      Thank you, Griff. I did not know of Bernard Allison until this morning when I opened your message. Outstanding musician and group. Loved ’em! Provided a nice boost to the morning here. Have a great weekend.

    • mike z.

      Griff , Thanks for sharing these video’s with us . This guy is amazing . He does sound a lot like Stevie , but he does have his own techniques that are unique . Love the rockin’ second video , it makes you want to play along . Hope all is well , and keep jammin’ . Mike Z.

      • Gary HyltonI

        Hi Mike,

        I’m with you on that second video and jammed along with it in the key of Dominant D7. Do you agree with that key? How about some input from you fellow players (Friends of Giff) out there.

        As always a special thanks to Griff for all he does to help those of us who play guitar – play a little better!

        Old School & Still Rockin’

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