Mike Vlahakis

Documenting Bernard Allison's blues-rock band at the height of their prodigious powers (during Allison's 2005 European tour), this 14-song concert video delivers the goods. With tunes by turns languid and rollicking -- and with a definite penchant for hard rock riffs --Allison and band mates rip (or meander) through such crowd favorites as "I Just Came Back to Say Goodbye" and "The Way Love Was Meant to Be."

Four days prior to being diagnosed with a malignant lung tumor, Luther Allison played a blistering show in Montreal; it was filmed for later airplay on Canadian television, and most of the show is captured on this DVD. The bitter irony is obvious here -- Allison is at the peak of his powers, and yet at the same time, it could be said that he's playing like a man with only weeks to live. Performers include: Luther Allison: lead guitar, vocals; James Solberg: rhythm & lead guitar; Mike Vlahakis: keyboards; Ken Faltinson: bass; Robb Stupka: drums; and Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love).