Albert King is one of the greatest bluesmen in history, he was essential in the sixties and seventies, participating in all kinds of concerts and festivals, collaborating with groups like The Doors and with artists of the stature of the legendary Texan bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan or Gary Moore, providing a unique and peculiar style.
Albert King was left-handed and played his Gibson Flying-V guitar upside down like Jimi Hendrix, also with the strings, which had double merit, because it produced a distinctive and unmistakable sound and once it reached the ears of the public it became unforgettable .
In 1977 one of his best live shows "Live at Montreux" was published, beginning with "Watermelon Man", composed by Herbie Hancock, a theme that he used regularly as the beginning of his concerts, given his passion for jazz. It continues with others that have a certain funky air, continues to shed classics, such as a plethoric "Blues at Sunrise" or the excellent "Stormy Monday", most of which is long in duration and shows an undeniable virtuosity.
The climax comes when interpreting the well-known "As the years go passing" by Rory Gallagher, who is splendid in the first solo of the song, joins to finish this fabulous live with the wonderful "I´ll play the blues for you".
Showing posts with label Albert King. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Albert King. Show all posts
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Steve Cropper, Pop Staples & Albert King-Jammed Together (1969)
In 1968, Stax Records, one of the most successful R&B, gospel, soul, and funk labels, ceased to be under the wing of the giant Atlantic Records. At that time, Stax sought ways to expand its catalog beyond the release of singles, most of which were hugely successful, and focused on what was proving most productive at the time: albums. Thus, one of its first releases was a collaboration between three of Stax's best guitarists: Steve Cropper, a prestigious session musician who played with bands such as the iconic Brooker T. & The MG's; Albert King, one of the greatest bluesmen in history; and Pop Staples, leader of The Staples Singers. Considered one of the greatest guitar tours de force ever recorded, it was released alongside the legendary "Super Sessions", featuring Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, and Stephen Stills, which had been released the previous year. Driven by a rhythm section of Stax musicians, including drummer Al Jackson and keyboardist Isaac Hayes, as well as a horn section, this is an excellent showcase of three distinct guitar styles. The album's repertoire consists primarily of instrumental versions of blues, soul, and gospel standards such as Ray Charles' "What'd I Say", John Lee Hooker's "Tupelo", Eddie Floyd's "Knock on Wood", and Jimmy Reed's "Baby, What You Want Me To Do", in which this impressive trio of guitarists delivered some of the most memorable guitar jams ever recorded.
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