Bernard Allison

Loving You

Ruf Records

Bernard Allison was born in Chicago and raised in the blues by his father, the late Luther Allison. The elder Allison, who passed in 1997, was an eighteen-time Blues Music Award winner and a 1998 inductee into the Blues Hall of Fame. The younger Allison was introduced to Muddy Waters, Hound Dog Taylor, Albert King, and other blues artists. He started playing guitar when he was ten and recorded with his father when he was thirteen. He was further mentored by Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughan. After graduating high school, Allison played in both Koko Taylor’s Blues Machine and Willie Dixon’s Blues All-Stars.

Between 1997 and 2006, Bernard Allison released seven albums on the Ruf Records imprint. He left Ruf and recorded for the Tone-Cool and Jazzhaus labels. The Bernard Allison Group’s last recording for Jazzhaus was 2015’s In the Mix; on that album Allison’s guitar was further back in the mix, which helped enable his soulful vocals. In 2018, Allison returned to Ruf and released the homecoming Let It Go. In 2019, Allison recorded a live CD/DVD, Songs from the Road, produced by Jim Gaines and Thomas Ruf. Follow-up recordings include 2022’s Highs & Lows, 2024’s Luther’s Blues, and my favorite, 2025’s Chills & Thrills.

Now, after more than three decades on the circuit, Bernard Allison is a seasoned veteran with countless tours and festivals and more than 20 albums under his belt. He’s made quite a few musical friends during that time and has chosen his newest release to celebrate those friendships and the vibrant spirit of the blues community.

Among the album’s distinguished guest musicians are guitarists Larry McCray, Devon Allman, and Matthew Curry; violinist Heather Hardy; and piano virtuoso Victor Wainwright, as well as Bernard’s nephew Jasper Allison and niece Lyndsey Allison, adding soulful backing vocals. Allison also welcomes a vital new contributor to the fold in rhythm guitarist Stephen Johnson, who co-wrote five of the album’s seven original songs. The Jackson, Mississippi native and former Bobby Rush band member adds new vigor to Allison’s excellent rhythm section, which also includes keyboardist Eric Roberts, longtime bassist George Moye, and drummer Sam Butts Jr. III.

Stylistically, Loving You is on the one hand familiar, and yet, thanks to the numerous guests, the reshuffling within the band’s lineup, and Allison’s openness to collaboration, the sound and vibe are quite new compared to anything he has released before. It opens with “Left Me with My Guitar,” a funky electric blues number about the front man’s most faithful companion.

On “4 O’Clock in the Morning,” seven-time Blues Music Award winner Victor Wainwright joins in, sharing lead vocals with Allison and adding his trademark piano stylings.

The well-executed “Time Traveler,” with its staccato rhythm, is a different kind of funk, highlighted by the clever interplay of guitarists Larry McCray and Matthew Curry.

“Slide On Over” might sound like the perfect title for a slide guitar showpiece, but instead Bernard Allison stays in mellow, lustful soul, name-dropping Marvin Gaye and Betty Wright on his way to the bedroom, while Jasper and Lyndsey add rich soulful backing vocals.

The album then shifts gears into a classic rock mode, with Matthew Curry joining in on an exciting reimagining of 1970’s “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” in tribute to the late Rick Derringer, as guitarists Allison and Curry sing, “Couldn’t stop moving when it first took hold, it was a warm spring night at the old town hall. There was a group called ‘The Jokers’, they were layin’ it down. Don’t ya know I’m never gonna lose that funky sound. Rock ‘n’ roll hootchie koo, lordy mama, light my fuse.”

On “Busted & Disgusted,” Bernard Allison assumes the role of a desperate, down-on-his-luck gambler who simply can’t resist one more roll of the dice.

On the title track, “Loving You,” Bernard keeps the momentum going with an irresistible funk-infused groove, elevated by a guest appearance from Devon Allman on guitar and the infectious handclaps of Larry “Doc” Watkins.

On “Should I Wait,” Allison reflects on the uncertainty of an unreliable relationship, pairing heartfelt lyrics with a deep soul groove.

The band continues with the soulful “Pay What You Owe Me,” where Bernard is joined by elegant string arrangements from Heather Hardy, while backing vocalists Stephen Johnson and Bernard’s nephew and niece, Jasper and Lyndsey, add depth to the track.

On the closing tune, “Blues Thang,” Bernard plays four minutes of funk-infused blues as he croons, “It ain’t nothin but a blues thang.” The song puts a perfect bow on a well-rounded album from an artist who has been around the block and knows exactly who he is.

For Bernard, it’s always been about singing the blues, playing his axe, traveling the world, and giving you the best blues you can use. Enjoy Loving You from the great Bernard Allison.

Richard Ludmerer

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