When it comes to blues guitarists, Albert King has always been a personal favorite. He’s also often ignored for flashier players, like Stevie Ray Vaughn. I love King’s style, though. Preferring to put more emotion into the individual notes than cramming to many into each bar.
Let me start with my only real problem with this album. At times I think someone involved in the production was trying to update King’s sound. The rhythm guitar on "Change of Pace" playing a straight funk scratch the entire time is awkward. It never diminishes the song, but at times is obvious. When it rides under a hot horn track it fits nicely. Otherwise it seems like a product of the era’s rush to modernize the blues.
"Born Under a Bad Sign" is the obvious standout here. A classic even when sung by Homer Simpson (see Simpsons Sing the Blues), it does what so many great songs do and appeals to everyone. The self centered notion that we’ve had to endure more than the next guy is universal, it’s human nature. Who doesn’t feel like a big legged woman is guiding them to their grave?
There are several perfect tracks on here. "Get Out of My Life Woman" is my go-to for marital strife (kidding hun). "Goodtime Charlie" feels like a Sunday morning comedown. One of the best grooves on the album along with a some great organ really hits you in all the right places. The simply titled "I Got the Blues" has probably my favorite rhythm track, the bass and piano riding the same hilly bounce that makes you nod your head.
The back half is mostly a collection of live songs. This is really where the band gets to step out. "Watermelon Blues" and "Stormy Monday" dominate here. "Watermelon" really lets loose. Pounding drums and blazing horns. Its like watching the end of Blues Brothers. "Stormy Monday" is just an incredible number that needs to be heard.
So on our second review we’ve already found the first album deserving of making the list. There isn’t a bad song in the mix. King’s guitar is spot on, always playing the perfect not for any given moment. He really understood the theory of it not being important which notes you play, but the ones that you don’t. Add a machine of a band behind him and you really can’t go wrong.
-The Fat Man
Albert King, you make me want to find the seediest bar in my hometown and play you on the jukebox all night. This album, along with the next review to come, are essential for dive bar binge drinking. I'm not going to run this album down song-by-song. Instead, I'm going to say that this album, along with album #498, are worthy of a Roadhouse-worthy night of ass kicking, hell-raising, and mourning into your frosted mug of Pabst Blue Ribbon. All I can imagine while listening to this album is hanging out at the Double Deuce, watching some great 80's ladies, and trying not to catch a flying bar stool from one of Brad Wesley's thugs. Now, before you tell me, I'm well aware of the talent of the great Jeff Healey, but can you not agree that the beginning of the afore-included clip does not have a hint of vintage Albert King.
Mr. King has a knack for tugging at your heart strings in a manner that is bold and honest without being overly emotional. Think Dashboard Confessional without Chris Carraba's ability to make fat teenagers cry and scream. Albert King was an innovator and a phenom; a man who paved the way for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Lang, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, and even John Mayer (before you hate - I'm talking about John Mayer post-Room for Squares.)
Unfortunately, I think Mike and I may have invested in the wrong Albert King album. We may have confused Born Under a Bad Sign with Born Under a Bad Sign and other hits, because we cannot find the track "Goodtime Charlie" on the track listing for the original. This may be a huge error on our part or a historical miscalculation. I would vote for the former, because neither of us claim to be the brightest glow in the dark condom of the batch. Either way, the album we listened to was, in fact, great and worthy of the top 500 whether it was the actual album or not. Sadly, we have yet to locate the original release of Born Under a Bad Sign. Nevertheless, we will do our due diligence and get to the bottom of this, so we don't look like absolute schmucks. Look for a revised entry in the next few days, if we can find the original, as well as more frequent updates now that we both have a great deal of available time.
-D.
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