Search - Freddie King :: Blues Master

Not a major item, but a nice listen with several highlights.

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 04/12/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This 1969 set clocks in at a not-very-generous 36 minutes, but that's the LP age for you.

It's quite a nice, mellow set which emphasises Frederick Christian "King"'s passionate vocals, and King is backed by a tight band which includes both piano and organ, and occationally by a well-scored six-man horn ensemble as well.



He is being cast primarily as a singer on many of these tracks, Freddie King is...his normally stinging lead guitar lines take something of a back seat on songs like "It's Too Late, She's Gone" and "Let Me Down Easy". But fans shouldn't worry unduly; most of these twelve tracks feature plenty of guitar goodness, like the sizzling fills and solos on King's own "Play It Cool", and a smouldering rendition of Curtis Lewis' soulful slowie "Today I Sing The Blues".

Pianist James Booker adds a wonderful, jazzy feel with his elegant, fluid playing, and well-known session saxist "King" Curtis Ousley, who is one of the three saxists here, has also provided a couple of the songs, including the aforementioned "Let Me Down Easy".



There are letdowns as well, though. A couple of tracks are perhaps overproduced; a leaner, meaner "Get Out Of My Life, Woman" would have had more impact. And there's really no need for this re-recording of the classic instrumental "Hideaway" in funk mode...the instrumentals are generally a bit disappointing, actually, and the fact that almost the entire second half of the original LP is made up of instrumentals drags the set down.



"Blues Master" is not as tough or indeed as intense as King's earliest, self-penned waxings for Federal Records, but still...fans of Freddie KIng should enjoy his strong, focused playing and singing on the first half of the set. It's not enough to make this a must-have album, though."

One of the greatest records ever recorded

Docendo Discimus | 02/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Freddie at his finest, tenderest, searing, blistering. If this album doesn't bring tears to your eyes, you're not human. King Curtis guides Freddie through an hour of his great and thunderous voice and smoking guitar. Sublime groove by the entire band, featuring James Booker on piano and the great King Curtis on sax. Perennial. Especially necessary when you're been dumped."

THE SOUL OF THE BLUES MASTER

C. BOYLAN | staten island, new york United States | 03/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST MIXES OF SOUL AND BLUES THAT YOU WILL EVER FIND.PLAY IT COOL AND LET ME DOWN EASY ARE CLASSICS.BLUE SHADOWS IS MASTERFUL.THE ALBUM HAS TWO DIRECTIONS,STRAIGHT BLUES AND A INSTUMENTAL SOULY APPROACH.BOTH ARE DONE TASTEFULLY BY A TERRIFIC STUDIO BAND LED BY KING CURTIS.
THE BAND SHOW THEIR SOULY SIDE IN NUMBERS LIKE HOT TOMATO AND WIDE OPEN,A TREAT FOR ALL EARS.FOR ALL THE SKEPTICS,BUY IT,PLAY IT,LIVE IT.PEACE..........."