Article Contributed by Doug Deutsch
Published on 2026-09-02
Ruf Records will release Bernard Allison’s new album, Loving You, on Friday, October 16, 2026.
PRE-SAVE / PRE-ORDER LOVING YOU
There was a time during the 1990s when Bernard Allison was looked upon as one of the hottest young guns on the contemporary blues scene. The son of blues legend Luther Allison has roots in Chicago and Europe. He is heavily influenced by his father, of course, and Texas guitar giants Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughan, adding funk and R&B flavors to the mix to create his recognizable sound.
With his first string of solo albums in the mid-’90s, he stepped out of his father’s shadow and quickly found his own audience, voice, and style.
Now, after more than three decades on the circuit, 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, Loving You, 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; 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, aka Stevie J Blues, 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 rhythm section, which also includes drummer Sam Butts Jr. III, keyboardist Eric Roberts, and longtime bassist George Moye.
“I’ve always wanted to record an album, bringing family and friends together!! Loving You is simply showing my appreciation and respect for my family and friends. So, I decided to invite and collaborate with a selected group of musicians and family members. I placed them on tracks where I felt they could bring out their true emotions and musical passions. We created a well-rounded album full of surprises, while showing our appreciation to all of our musical influences and genres. We laid down my blues foundation, with a taste of Funk, R&B, and Rock!! And we did it, The Allison Way!!!” explains Bernard Allison, aka “BA” on the circuit.
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 is quite new compared to anything he has released before.
The album opens with “Left Me With My Guitar,” a funky electric blues number about the frontman’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 Mwangi, who co-wrote the song.
“Slide On Over” might sound like the perfect title for a slide guitar showpiece, but instead the track stays in mellow, lustful soul, with Allison name-dropping Marvin Gaye and Betty Wright on his way to the bedroom, while Jasper and Lyndsey Allison add rich, soulful backing vocals.
The album then shifts gears into classic rock mode, with Matthew Curry joining on guitar and vocals in a re-imagining of “Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo” in tribute to the late Rick Derringer.
On “Busted & Disgusted,” Allison assumes the role of a desperate, down-on-his-luck gambler who simply can’t resist one more roll of the dice.
The title track, “Loving You,” keeps the momentum going with an irresistible funk-infused groove, elevated by a guest appearance from Devon Allman on guitar and infectious hand-claps from Larry “Doc” Watkins.
On “Should I Wait,” Allison reflects on the uncertainty of an unreliable relationship, pairing heartfelt lyrics with a deep, soulful groove.
The band continues with the soulful “Pay What You Owe Me,” where elegant string arrangements by Heather Hardy add richness, while backing vocals from Stevie J Blues and Bernard’s nephew and niece, Jasper and Lyndsey Allison, add depth to the track.
The journey concludes with “Blues Thang,” a fitting finale that brings Loving You’s ten-track collection to a confident close. These four minutes of funk-infused blues serve as a statement of Bernard Allison’s raison d’être: he sees no need to complicate things or change.
“It ain’t nothin’ but a blues thang.”
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.
BAND
Bernard Allison – Guitar & Vocals
George Moye – Bass Guitar
Sam Butts Jr. III – Drums
Eric Roberts – Keyboards
Stevie J Blues – Guitar, Backing Vocals
SPECIAL GUESTS
Victor Wainwright – Piano, Vocals
Larry McCray – Guitar
Matthew Mwangi – Guitar
Jasper & Lyndsey Allison – Backing Vocals
Matthew Curry – Guitar, Vocals
Devon Allman – Guitar
Heather Hardy – Violin
LOVING YOU TRACKLIST
1. Left Me With My Guitar – 3:31
2. 4 O’Clock In The Morning (Waiting On You) feat. Victor Wainwright – 4:20
3. Time Traveler feat. Larry McCray and Matthew Mwangi – 4:26
4. Slide On Over feat. Jasper & Lyndsey Allison, Stevie J Blues – 3:21
5. Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo feat. Matthew Curry – 3:48
6. Busted & Disgusted – 6:13
7. Loving You feat. Devon Allman and Larry “Doc” Watkins – 3:53
8. Should I Wait – 3:17
9. Pay What You Owe Me feat. Heather Hardy, Jasper and Lyndsey Allison, Stevie J Blues – 4:01
10. Blues Thang feat. Stevie J Blues – 4:03
