Customer Reviews

Getting Ready

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mention the name Freddie King to any Blues guitarist and he'll be referred to in the highest regard. His playing was as influential on the guitarists of the Blues genre that followed as anyone.
Leon Russell, who was coming off his commercial pinnacle as bandleader for Joe Cocker and his burgeoning solo career, took some of his fortune and formed Shelter records with partner Denny Cordell. One of the first things on his to do list was to sign Freddie King. At the time, King's career was at an all time low.The man who had cut many hit Blues albums and singles was living in Texas without a recording contract and only performing part time. The sessions were recorded at the famed Chess studios in Chicago with Russell producing, playing piano and providing direction. The results are sheer delight.This record has a much more rockin' feel than Freddie's previous efforts but his passionate vocals and blistering guitar playing are intact. I consider myself a true lover of straight ahead blues but unlike some purists who don't rate this record above 3 stars, I think it's a fine, fine record. Highlights include the rockin' GOIN' DOWN (which received significant airplay when the record came out), a reworking of the Blues staple KEY TO THE HIGHWAY which is a total triumph and also a rerecording of Freddie's old hit, TORE DOWN, which completely tops his earlier version or anyone else's for that matter. I saw Freddie open for Albert King at the Fillmore West on tour in '71, right after this record came out and it was one of the most riveting shows I've ever seen. He upstaged one of his idols on that evening. Unfortunately, even though this record marked a resurgence in his career, Freddie King died 5 years later at the young age of 42. One can only wonder how much more great music he could have produced in the years since his untimely death......

The most striking thing about this wonderful album to me is the convergence of so many regional styles of music. Freddie's hybrid sound of Texas and Chicago blues is further amplified by being recorded at Chicago's Chess studios. Leon Russell adds his Oklahoma/gospel hybrid sound in his masterful production of the album. Throw in the Memphis sound of Don Nix evident in "Going Down" and you have a perfect blend of contrasting styles.

Great stuff, good crossover into more of a rockin' sound without losing the Texas and Chicago blues influences. Original recording is of poor quality and can use a remastering but the blues of Freddie King comes through.

Like Freddie's other Shelter release (Texas Cannonball), this is a great blues-rock CD. Why the potent "Palace of the King" isn't covered by every blues-rock artist in the world is s mystery to me.

I love this CD, I have every thing of Freddie's I can get on CD. I give them all fair reviews except, Larger Than Life, I would give that one three stars. This is one of my favorites, along with (Texas Cannonball), (Woman Across The River). To me these are the best of his later recordings. Out of his live recordings I think (Live At The Electric Ballroom) is one one of his best. Also I have four DVD'S of him all are worth watching. It is amazing to watch the big man play. I can see why he had so many followers, including Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

I bought this CD because a) I love the Blues, and b) because it has the song "Goin' Down" on it which is the song they play at the beginning of "East Bound & Down." As far as being someone who likes the blues, I gotta say, this is a GREAT blues album. It's Texas style,house-rockin' blues, much like Hound Dog Taylor or Luther Allison. Freddie King has a very distinct and unique guitar sound. All the songs on this CD are top notch, and they are all pretty different from one another too, but not in a bad way. I find this to be already one of my favorite blues albums to listen to. It's a GREAT album to listen to while you're driving somewhere, like to a BBQ!! Great purchase!!

See the "Ultimate Freddy King". This album and that album are a short sweet history of a short sweet spotlight cast on one of the true masters of the Blues. With Leon Russell on Piano, and production by Don Nix, what are you waiting for?

THIS CD IS AN ALBUM THAT WAS RELEASED ON LEON RUSSELL'S SHELTER RECORDS LABEL IN THE EARLY 70'S, AND FEATURES LEON PLAYING PIANO WITH FREDDIE. THE THREE ALBUMS RELEASED ON SHELTER RECORDS WERE A TURNING POINT IN FREDDIE'S CAREER. AFTER RECORDING A LOT OF GREAT BLUES, R&B AND INSTRUMENTALS FOR KING RECORDS IN THE EARLY 60'S, FRDDIE PRETTY MUCH FELL OF THE MAP FOR AWHILE, EVEN THOUGH GUYS LIKE ERIC CLAPTON PAID HOMAGE TO HIM AND RECORDED A LOT OF HIS OLD SONGS. THEN WHEN WHITE AUDIENCES "DISCOVERED" THE BLUES, AND THAT MUSIC CAME INTO VOGUE IN THE MAINSTREAM, ARTISTS LIKE FREDDIE AND BB KING FOUND A NEW AUDIENCE, WIDER ACCEPTANCE, AND MADE TRIUMPHANT RETURNS TO THE MUSIC SCENE, EVEN THOUGH THEY NEVER REALLY WENT AWAY IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE SHELTER RECORDS RECORDINGS FROM FREDDIE KING ARE GREAT, ON THIS CD HE PLAYS ORIGINAL SONGS AS WELL AS OLD STANDS LIKE "DUST MY BROOM" AND "KEY TO THE HIGHWAY" (ELMORE JAMES), AND "WALKING BY MYSELF" (JIMMY REDD). A GREAT CD.

Freddie and friends at their best.Leon Russell' s influence strong and welcomed.Wish " going down " was quite a bit longer.