Search - Albert King :: Complete King & Bobbin Recordings

Albert Kings Once Very Rare Original Sides.

Perry Celestino | Tahmoor, NSW Australia | 08/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These incredible Albert King recordings represent him at the very beginning of his career, almost a decade before his famous Stax sessions. They were once extremely rare to get, back in the days of vinyl. This the most comprehensive collection yet released. It features all of his Bobbin and King recordings as well as four alternative versions of tunes and his only two pop attempts which were recorded in Cinncinati. These were on the original LP "The Big Blues", but omitted from recent collections.



The history of release of these recordings is interesting. The Big Blues LP was released in the early sixities as a compilation of his singles work in the late 1950s and early sixities. His big hit #14 was the tune "Don't Throw Your Love On Me Too Strong"(it has lyrics actually from a Billie Holliday song!). However, his first and most important recording which was to crop up again and again on later recordings was "Blues At Sunrise". There are two versions of this classic on this CD.



The first CD release of these sides was through a label called Modern Blues in 1989/1990. This is now a bit hard to get. The album "THe Big Blues" was then released with its original cover art (Albert playing his guitar RIGHT HANDED!!!). This was through King records the original parent company of all these sides. In 2001 this collection minus the pop tunes; "This Funny Feeling" and "Had You Told it Like It Was" (written by Freddie King side kick Sonny Thompson), were omitted on a recent CD called "More Big Blues". This release was through Ace Records in the UK (CDCHD-827). Now this new version has appeared. It is the best yet. This is the only one that includes all the available sides King did for King/Bobbin as well as the entire Big Blues LP.



The cover art includes a painting from is famous old publicity photo of Albert in his late 30s. The liner notes are ok but I feel they could have included much more information. Highlights of these set includes both versions of "Why Are You So Mean To Me" a signature tune of his that was featured on many live shows but never really released mainstream until about 1990 on the issue of his alternative "Live in San Francisco" sets for Stax. Both versions of "I've Made Nights By Myself" showcases his unique playing style- which didn't change at Stax-just the tone did!



"Let's Have A Natural Ball" is King's tribute to T-Bone Walker. It is a classic Jump Blues and tune he used to open his shows in the 1950s and early 1960s. It was also covered once by Otis Rush (on "Right Place, Wrong Time LP"). This collection also includes his famous first versions of "I Get Evil" (which he borrowed from Tampa Red) which laid the foundation for Crosscut Saw's beat. And "Blues At Sunrise" which he borrowed from Elmore James. He also does the original "Travellin to California" which was done many times live by Jimi Hendrix and Albert did a strong alternate version of this tune for Chess Records in 1961. I particularly like the alternate version of these classic tunes.



The collection also includes his famous instrumentals "This Morning" and "Dyna Flow"(named, like Freddie King's "Hideaway" and Joe Louis Walker's "Mile High Club", after a club he played at) which showcases his blues instrumental abilities that would become tunes like "Overall Junction" and "Funk-Shun" at Stax. "This Morning" was a reworking of the Mar-Keys hit "Last Night" that many of us remember well.



This CD is an essential part of anyone's Blues collection and if you are an Albert King fan you need this CD to hear how his unique bending style developed. I think this compilation is the best available and great value



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