Bad News Is Coming
It's a rare occurrence to find heavy Chicago blues on Motown's roster. Berry Gordy signed Allison, trying to capture the burgeoning blues-rock market. Allison cut his teeth on Chicago's West Side, heavily influenced by Freddie King and Magic Sam. This slow, agonizing minor-key blues showcases his blistering, sustain-heavy guitar tone and a desperate, soul-drenched vocal performance. Though the record didn't turn him into a Motown superstar, it captured the fiery, extended-solo style that defined the West Side Chicago sound of the late 60s and 70s.
The floating-verse lineage for this recording (who else recorded it, where the melody or lyric traveled, and how it was adapted) is still being mapped. This section will trace the song's DNA across the archive.
Contributions welcome at OlMrRead@ccblues.com.