In Session

Performer: Albert King
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan (vocals, guitar); Tony Llorens (piano, organ); Gus Thornton (bass); Michael Llorens (drums). Recorded at CHCH studios, Hamilton, Ontario on December 6, 1983. Recorded in December 1983, IN SESSION captures an in-concert jam between Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, the latter of whom had become the hot blues guitarist of the year thanks to his debut Texas Flood, as well as his work on David Bowie's hit Let's Dance. Vaughan may have been the new news at the time, but King was not suffering either--he had a world-class supporting band and was playing as well as he ever had. In other words, the stage was set for a fiery, exciting concert and that's exactly what they delivered. Vaughan was clearly influenced by King--there are King licks all over his first two recorded efforts, and it was an influence that stayed with him to the end--and he was unafraid to go toe-to-toe with his idol. King must have been impressed, since IN SESSION never devolves into a mere cutting contest. Instead, each musician spurs the other to greater heights. Recorded in December 1983, In Session captures an in-concert jam between Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, the latter of whom had become the hot blues guitarist of the year thanks to his debut Texas Flood, as well as his work on David Bowie's hit Let's Dance. Vaughan may have been the new news, but King was not suffering, either. He had a world-class supporting band and was playing as well as he ever had. In other words, the stage was set for a fiery, exciting concert and that's exactly what they delivered. Vaughan was clearly influenced by King -- there are King licks all over his first two recorded efforts, and it was an influence that stayed with him to the end -- and he was unafraid to go toe-to-toe with his idol. King must have been impressed, since In Session never devolves into a mere cutting contest. Instead, each musicians spurs the other to greater heights. For aficionados of either guitarist, that means the album isn't just worth a listen -- it means that it's a record that sounds as exciting on each subsequent listen as does the first time through. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

CMJ (12/20/99, p.23) - "...a timeless piece of blues history."

Albert King is one of the most important post-war blues guitarists. His influence was even more profoundly felt in the rock world than in blues, though he earned iconic stature in both. His unusual style came from playing pickless, upside-down, and left-handed, and from his preference for attack, tone, and volume over speed. King was also one of the first blues players to enter the R&B world, recording on Stax with Booker T. & the MG's.

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