"CAPTAIN BILLY'S MAGIC 8-BALL" RETURNS WITH ALBERT KING - LIVE WIRE/BLUES POWER! (STAX, 1968) IN HIGH DEFINITION - THE ENTIRE ALBUM WITH THE CAPTAIN'S MAGNETIC NARRATIVE -THE CAPTAIN EXPLORES HIS COVE OF 8 TRACK TREASURES!

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CAPTAIN BILLY’S MAGIC EIGHT BALL:

ALBERT KING LIVE WIRE/BLUES POWER

So, there were three “Kings” of the blues: B.B., Freddie, and Albert.

B.B. had the delicate simplicity. Less was always more with his virtuosity. He was a consummate communicator and showman, and much beloved. Freddie had the muscle and the size. A big man who stood 6’5’’, he was all grit and groan. From his early days when he recorded Hideaway, up through his resurrection in the 70s by Leon Russell’s Shelter label and the unbelievable propulsion of I’m Goin’ Down, Freddy blew the doors off whatever venue he graced, but this energy proved too much to sustain; leading to his untimely death at age 42.

My favorite was Albert. Also tall, 6’4,’’ he was nicknamed “The Velvet Bulldozer”. Brandishing Lucy, his Gibson Flying V guitar - his ear was impeccable, as was his timing, guiding him through licks that have such sinuous grace, as he bends those out of tune strings into perfect harmony, as if they are taffy - but, also displays deep emotional power - a stinging embodiment of the Cross Cut Saw in action. The sound he produced was beefy, yet lyrical at the same time.

His birth name was Nelson, but he copped the surname King, and claimed he was related to BB, in order to catch some of the latter’s reflected glory. It was a tough road for Albert, and though he never reached the widespread recognition that his namesake garnered, his influence on the younger generations - including Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn is undeniable. Cream’s Born Under A Bad Sign was just a simulacrum - a note for note tribute.

In 1968, Albert played three nights at the legendary Fillmore West in San Francisco, and this recording, produced by Stax Records, documents that immortal outing. When you hear his dissertation on Blues Power - punctuated by those gleaming licks, that’s all you need to know.

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