Customer Reviews

The Blues Don't Change

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Albert King enjoyed his most fruitful years at Stax records. This set is a compilation of singles and studio cuts he'd done after his "I Wanna Get Funky" LP. It has a wide range of material, from his version of the Staple Singer's, "I Can't Stand The Rain" to the title track, too long for radio, but a 1970's Blues gem. "The Blues Don't Change" is a mellow tune with Albert using a pedal for one of the first times. He has Henry Bush, his 70's Stax producer, doing back up vocals and it is an interesting, soulful tune. "I'm Doing Fine" is probably the best song on the CD. It is another King Minor Key Classic! Jimmy King also did a respectable cover of this tune in the 1990s. I personally love "Oh, Pretty Woman" it is funky and it is in a groove similar to his reworking of Crosscut Saw on "I Wanna Get Funky". The Pinch- as this set was originally called- is a major sexest minor key tune with a Part 2 instrumental similar to "I'll Play The Blues For You" and "Drowning on Dry Land". The guitar blends well with the horns. "King of Kings" is another instrumental offering with soul overtones. And a Hammond organ in the style of Booker T Jones!

"Firing Line' is a tune Albert re-recorded later on his "I'm In A Phone Booth" set,however, this one is fatter and more soulful- as Stax was in general. Albert King redefined Urban Blues during his time at Stax. He never changed his playing or style- he just adapted it to different grooves. This was his contribution to American Music and this CD represents the end of an era.

I first saw Albert King as a college student 25 years ago. We all sat on a flat dance floor in the student union while he enthralled this group of young hippies who soon realized they had stumbled onto something wonderful.

Coming back to him now, I had the same experience. What a wonderful find. King sings the blues, but this is one of the happiest albums I own. Both his singing and his guitar playing are infectious.

I was very impressed the first time I heard this one, I have a lot of Albert's CD'S this is one of my favorites. Along with (Funky London) this one is so clean, it is like a recent release, This was originally called (The Pinch) from 1973. The song on here called the (The Pinch) is excellent, it is a two part song just over eight minutes long. This in my opinion is the best song on here, lots of classic Albert licks.