If you like the blues, check this out!

newbie308
newbie308 Posts: 767
edited April 2012 in The Clubhouse
I have been leaning towards the blues lately. I don't know why I am drawn to this music since I own mostly "Heavy Metal", but there is nothing wrong with enjoying something completely different. Yesterday I had the pleasure of openning my Amazon order, and cracking the seal on some virgin vinyl! Many of the records I purchased were things I already owned on CD, but the one record that almost brought me to tears was "In session: Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughn". What a fantastic recording! As I started playing the record, I was milling about getting some evening chores done, but as the sound of exquisit blues guitar filled my ears I had to sit and take it all in. In a word ".....Soul". This music was all soul, and it gripped me and would not let go until the needle reached the end of the record. I highly reccomend this album!!
Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
Post edited by newbie308 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2012
    I agree, great album!
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited April 2012
    Seen that around and have alwys been curious. They had to play well together, wasn't Albert King one of SRV's influences?

    HD Tracks has this as a hi-rez download as well, anybody heard that version?
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 98Badger
    98Badger Posts: 317
    edited April 2012
    I haven't heard the HD tracks version, but I have the SACD. Absolutely a great album!

    Yes SRV has credited B.B. King as a major influence.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bmbguy
    bmbguy Posts: 416
    edited April 2012
    98Badger wrote: »
    I haven't heard the HD tracks version, but I have the SACD. Absolutely a great album!

    Yes SRV has credited B.B. King as a major influence.

    Albert King / BB King - two different guitarists... Many players have been influenced by both!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited April 2012
    bmbguy wrote: »
    Albert King / BB King - two different guitarists... Many players have been influenced by both!

    I went into a record store two years ago having never heard of Albert. His stuff was right next to BB's, however, and I ended up picking up an Albert record. I now own two or three and actually prefer his stuff to BB's.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,500
    edited April 2012
    Newbie308, like you, I was in to rock and metal. In approx 1991, I had the pleasure of seeing Albert King along w/BB King and Bobby "Blues" Bland. Albert is the "down-in-the-gutter and my dog kicked me" blues, BB can be more the up-tempo "happy-go-lucky" blues and Bobby tends to be horn/band based. Unfortunately, Albert passed away, but this show turned me on to blues. I've seen BB at least 1/2 a dozen times, gone on to see Robert Cray, Keb' Mo' and many local bands from areas I've lived/visited.
    strider wrote: »
    Seen that around and have alwys been curious. They had to play well together, wasn't Albert King one of SRV's influences?

    HD Tracks has this as a hi-rez download as well, anybody heard that version?

    Yes, SRV was influenced by Albert. I have this album on SACD and it came with a DVD. I don't know about HD Tracks, but the SACD sounds outstanding! Recommended by another CP member, Muddy Waters "Folk Singer" is a winner. Recorded in 1964, the SQ is phenomenal and on SACD holds it's own to anything recorded today. Very highly recommended!

    http://www.sa-cd.net/showreviews/606

    John
    ➀Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) ➁Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream ➂Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" ➃Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant ➄Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends ➅Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited April 2012
    I have this album on SACD. It is one of my best SACDs based on performance and recording quality.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited April 2012
    Don't forget the other King named Freddy. Start with the "Burglar" album. You will not be sorry.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 767
    edited April 2012
    JayCee,
    Can you reccomend any album titles from Albert King or others of similar style? I'd like to hear more of this thing caled the blues.

    God I wish SRV was still rocking! Someday while visiting TX I want to visit ladybird park and see the SRV memorial.
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,500
    edited April 2012
    newbie308 wrote: »
    JayCee,
    Can you recommend any album titles from Albert King...?

    This was my first album and a great intro into his stuff:
    http://www.amazon.com/Best-Albert-King/dp/B000000XGV

    I love this album and also have it on SACD:
    http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6714955&style=music

    His works:
    http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/artist/Albert+King/a/albums.htm
    ➀Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) ➁Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream ➂Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" ➃Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant ➄Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends ➅Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited April 2012
    JayCee's second recommendation is the one that got me...I'll play the blues for you...
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited April 2012
    newbie308 wrote: »
    I have been leaning towards the blues lately. I don't know why I am drawn to this music since I own mostly "Heavy Metal",

    If it were not for the Blues there would be no Rock and Roll, or Heavy Metal.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tbone289
    Tbone289 Posts: 661
    edited April 2012
    Even the regular "In Session:" CD sounds great. It's one of my favorite recordings of SRV or Albert.
    2.1: PC>Schiit Gungnir MB>Schiit Freya Noval>NAD C-270>Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1, HSU STF-2 5.1: HDMI Bitstream>Denon AVR-1910>polkaudio RTE55, CS350-LS, RT3, HSU STF-2, Visio M55-F0
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,500
    edited April 2012
    In 2001, I was stationed in Korea. The Seoul Hard Rock Cafe had one of Albert Kings suits, passport and old documents:

    P7140126.jpg
    P7140124.jpg
    P7140125.jpg
    P7140123.jpg
    ➀Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) ➁Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream ➂Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" ➃Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant ➄Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends ➅Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited April 2012
    To me the blues is just stripping all the layers and unveiling what we have always been listening to in R&R, but just didn't know it...its the foundation....the essence.

    Glad you made the discovery.

    Regards,
    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bmbguy
    bmbguy Posts: 416
    edited April 2012
    JayCee wrote: »
    In 2001, I was stationed in Korea. The Seoul Hard Rock Cafe had one of Albert Kings suits, passport and old documents:

    A friend and I were just emailing about Albert King last week, so I had to tell him my little story about going to see Albert play:

    Freshman year in college (1977-78, Madison, WI). I saw an ad that Albert King was going to be at a club a few blocks from my dorm. I asked around the dorm floor to see if any of the other guys were interested in going -- nobody had heard of him. So I went by myself. Went a little early - got a front row table in this club, which was pretty small -- sat maybe 150 people, if that. Sat there and watched the whole show, watching Albert King play about 15 feet away. Really cool.

    Hard for players to copy Albert's licks exactly, since he played his guitar strung upside down!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited April 2012
    newbie308 wrote: »
    JayCee,
    Can you reccomend any album titles from Albert King or others of similar style? I'd like to hear more of this thing caled the blues.

    God I wish SRV was still rocking! Someday while visiting TX I want to visit ladybird park and see the SRV memorial.

    SRV was a one of a king guitar player.... it's rare someone like him comes around... RIP SRV!
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gadabout
    Gadabout Posts: 1,072
    edited April 2012
    I've been listening to Albert since the mid 70's.

    I think the album you found In Session) is probably the best, and those 2 guitarists are a magical combination. The first album JayCee listed (The Best of Albert King) is mainly a compilation from his Stax years. While a decent album I prefer the others listed below.

    Some of the other Albert Kings I have in my collection:

    Very Best of Albert King
    - Remastered from Rhino    Is a really compilation of his early Stax years all the way through when he was playing some funk. It's a decent re master. and probably my second favorite album of his.

    If you would like to hear Albert playing a little bit more rock style - Lovejoy is good.

    If you want to try the Albert King from his Stax years (his most prolific) The Definitive Albert King on Stax. I have an older version and need to see if there is a newer remastered version of this album.

    You might also give Thursday Night in San Francisco a listen. Recorded in 1968 at the Filmore.

    Since "In Session" was your first blues revelation album, I'd like to make a couple other suggestions.

    Go listen to some Blues Label websites. Some of my favorites are:

    Alligator Records - around since 1971 has produced and master some great artists and sounds.

    Blind Pig Records - has a quirky collection of artists but produce great sound. They also produce 180g vinyl of some of their recordings.

    Blue Rock'it Records - is a smaller house and I was drawn there by a couple of the artists they had recorded (Robben Ford, Chris Cain and Jimmy Witherspoon).

    Rhino - has fair selection of compilation and re releases. The also put together the Blues Master Collections. Always decent quality sound from Rhino.

    Alligator and Blind Pig both put out Anniversary CD's with really good compilations of artists. Usually there is something for everyone on those CD's.

    Finally, if you want reviews, label lists, list of magazines and most everything blues related - Marys4Music.com is a good place to jump in and see whats out there.

    Scott
    Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ..... Frank Zappa
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,511
    edited April 2012
    "Ain't nothin' but the blues!" - Albert Collins
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,114
    edited April 2012
    Albert King Hard Bargain The Stax Recordings is one I listen to a lot, The Very Best of Albert King Blues Masters Essentials from Rhino Records is a good one if your just getting into Albert King, and yes In Session Albert and SRV is a must have.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • charley95
    charley95 Posts: 908
    edited April 2012
    We must not forget the "King" of west coast blues guitar- Junior Watson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cougar
    Cougar Posts: 10
    edited April 2012
    hochpt21 wrote: »
    I went into a record store two years ago having never heard of Albert. His stuff was right next to BB's, however, and I ended up picking up an Albert record. I now own two or three and actually prefer his stuff to BB's.
    I like Albert better too. I saw BB in concert a few months ago. At 88 he's WAY past his prime and played very little. He mostly just joked with the band. I would have liked to see him when he was younger.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,664
    edited April 2012
    hochpt21 wrote: »
    JayCee's second recommendation is the one that got me...I'll play the blues for you...

    I'll also agree, great album.

    "Thursday Night in San Fran" is another great album, "drifting blues" from that record is just pure Albert at his best.

    "Talking Blues" is another good album from Albert.

    "In Session" is one of my all time favorite albums though. It is just two masters of the guitar having a ball.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,664
    edited April 2012
    bmbguy wrote: »
    Hard for players to copy Albert's licks exactly, since he played his guitar strung upside down!

    Don't forget that he also only used his thumb... Never bothered to use a pick.

    On "In Session" (The DVD copy) you can hear Albert tell Stevie that he should teach him to use a pick! Albert also makes a quick joke during "I'm gonna move" and changes the lyrics about how all his kids better look like him to; "and they're all gonna pick like me"!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • evhudsons
    evhudsons Posts: 1,175
    edited April 2012
    A lot of Freddy Kings licks and style is the basis of much of today's rock. I saw bb king when he still played outstanding. I agree that Albert king is great, but I haven't heard the record you have. I'll try and get one too
    Polk Audio SDA CRS+ crossover 4.1TL by Trey/VR3 (Rings and custom stand by Larry)-Polk Audio SDA SRS2 crossovers by Trey/VR3Parasound HCA1500aYamaha rxa-3070 with musicast-Celestion SL6S presence,- sl9 surround backNHTsuper1's surroundMagnepan SMGParasound 1500pre- Sofia "Baby" tube amp - Monitor Audio Silver RX2 Marantz 2230/B&Kst140Technics 1200mk2 Gamertag: IslandBerserker I am but a infinitesimally small point meeting the line of infinity in the SDA universe
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter