Customer Reviews

Burglar

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is a little bit different then what I had expected and I couldn't be happier. It has turned into one of those CD's you have trouble getting out of my CD player. I've heard lots about Freddie and what a great blues guitar player he was and being a big fan of Texas blues, I was eager to learn more about Freddie King, so I bought this album. What surprised me the most is how great the man can sing. Freddie sings with some serious passion and soul and it really shines on this album. Recorded late in his career this album finds Freddie leaning more torwards rock then blues, much like SRV and some of his post Texas Flood albums (i.e. Couldn't Stand the Weather). If you are looking for a prue blues album this is not it. It is a very good bluesy\funky 70 style rock album with a great band and excellent production that has aged well. Even the cover art is great. The album has some excellent horn section that is very well done.

If you are looking for more traditional blues from Freddie check out Rhino's Hideaway collection. If you are looking for a great album with soulful sing, great guitar, and excellent songs in a Texas Rock\Blues style buy this album. You might be surprised. You will not be disappointed.

If you have heard of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, Walter Trout, Johnny Lang or Joe Kubek; Ask where does their music come from? Most probably the answer is: Freddie King; Burglar.
In this album, Freddie sets the standards of any guitar used in a blues or a rock song.
A 1972 release, shortly before his death, this album will blow your mind and ears away. No other blues album of its generation comes close; and this is nothing like Fredddie's previous releases.
I believe that Freddie King ranks in Blues the same as Miles Davis in Jazz. Too bad he died too soon.
Highly recommended.

This album has a 70's rock, funky style to it, so it's a departure from Freddie's early sound. The songs contain horns, however, they are not overpowering, just in the background. Some of the songs kind of have a Albert King/Albert Collins style to them. Oh yeah, a prime example of a 70's album cover adds to the enjoyment of this. Listen to the soundbites and hopefully you will enjoy this disc as much as I do.

I first heard this 10 years ago. I had the 2 cd King of the Blues box set of his 3 albums on the Shelter label and liked some of it so much that I wanted to hear more of his stuff. Burglar was all I could find at the time.

I put it on in the shop and I had a dilemma. This wasnt the Blues! Not the blues that I was religously listening to at the time anyway. First of all there were horns in there. At the time I couldnt stand horns in music (except classic soul) as I was a guitar nut and all I was interested in was hearing the guitar.

Next up it was, well, just too damn funky!

I didnt really start to appreciate soul and funk until I was in my mid twenties. I bought Burglar a few weeks ago and shook my head in embarrasment. How could I have not appreciated this album then?

It's funny how tastes change.

I still generally dont listen to much music that was recorded after 1980 because of the production used (Phil Collins drums etc) but my tastes are now much broader. If you are not a blues purist (whatever that is) and you love good music then this album is the very definition of good music! Yes you will need to appreciate soul and funk to fully appreciate this album but its probably not essential.

Lets get down to the music though.

The musicianship is amazingly tight. This is because the backing band are mainly culled from Gonzalez, an English group who recorded an album which has recently been rereleased by Soul Brother Records. Freddie is definitely on fire on this album and it sounds like he's having a ball. He seems to be feeding off the band in a way that really comes across to you as you're listening. The album shows how 'hip' Freddie was too. The man was a real dude which he needed to be to pull off some of the funkier stuff. He's not pretending or being forced into a record executives marketing strategy here.

The band help to completely stand the old blues formulas and cliches on there heads which is why the album is so good. The horns dont intrude at all, like they do on Luther Allisons Night Life album (those Brecker Bros are overated if you ask me!).

The production is slick, but not sterile. Freddies voice is AMAZING! He's rarely sounded better. His playing is wonderful, much heavier and flashier than BB King and much more complex than Albert King. Freddie is actually my favourite of the Kings of the blues guitar, and when you're ready to hear something a bit different from the bog standard blues, then I cant recommend a better Soul Blues album than this one. Eric Clapton and his band back Freddie on Sugar Sweet, but it's interesting to note that it's by no means the best track on here. (Clapton just plays the rhythm in the left speaker, no soloing!) Thats a testament to how Great Freddie was, he didnt need anybody to prop him up, although with the backing band who play on the Burglar album he rises to the very top of his game.

Standout tracks: Pack it up, Getting Second Best, Texas Flyer and Burglar are all fantastic. Perhaps My Credit Didnt go through is a little bit cheesy, but it's enjoyably cheesy none the less! Thats the only track that is in any way contrived.

Buy it!! ;)

This is Freddie King in his prime. The horns used in this work really bring it all togther. An absolute must for any Freddie King fan.

Without a doubt, this is some the baddest blues guitar work I've ever heard! I give this album five stars for Freddie's solo on Pulpwood alone! An absolute must have!!!

James Hogan

I got this in 1974 when it first came out......it has NOT grown old, it is still fresh and alive, it is true Blues Power.

A very good blues album. I borrowed it from a friend along with 5 or 6 other CDs (Johnny Winter, etc.) -- and I played this CD much more than the others. I am a big fan of Freddy's guitar playing -- but it is the vocals that really captivated me with this album. He does this thing with his voice, it is hard to describe but he seems to hold a note and then increase its volume (any vocalists out there?) -- I had never heard this before and was fascinated by it. I found myself singing along trying to imitate it (pretty funny as I really can't sing)! Anyway I had a uniquely inspired blues-jam guitar lesson immediately after that -- my guitar teacher was blown away. The "vibe" just sank in on the drive in. Can't be bad. I prefer this original album over some of the Freddy King compilations and collections that are available (I own 2 of those currently!). Recommended.

You should have seen his concerts in the 70's. A combination of soulful Texas/Chicago blues with some FAST rockin blues mixed in. He gave it all.(and played the guitar behind his back well too!) I recommend him 5+ His songs will grow on you, and "get you movin". Have a listen.

Wow, I don't know how I missed this for all these years. This is Freddie King in his prime and opens with a very strong cut and continues with quality material. I think this CD contains his usual great playing some of his most inspired singing especially on the ballads Only Getting Second Best and I Had A Dream. A real gem at a fantastic price. I only wish he'd made many more.