Blues Guitar Hero, Vol. 2

Performer: Freddie King
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Personnel includes: Freddie King (guitar); Lonnie Mack, Fred Jordan (guitar); Clifford Scott, Gene Redd (saxophone); Sonny Thompson (piano); Philip Paul (drums). Liner Note Author: Bill Dahl. This is something of a sequel to the 1993 Ace compilation of early King sides titled Blues Guitar Hero: The Influential Early Sessions, though it took Ace nearly a decade to unleash the companion volume. All of the 24 tracks were recorded between 1961 and 1966, though some of the songs weren't released until after 1966, in a few cases not for decades; indeed, four alternate takes make their first appearance here. All of King's chart records occurred in 1961, and all were included on the prior Blues Guitar Hero: The Influential Early Sessions, so this couldn't qualify as the first-choice early King; there's no "Hide Away" or "San-Ho-Zay" here. On a musical level, though, this isn't much different in nature or quality than what you'll find on the earlier anthology. Split between vocals and instrumentals, it's top-notch R&B-blues-rock & roll crossover with stinging guitar and soulful vocals, even if the similarity of some of the songs might turn off non-aficionados. Among the cooler cuts are 1964's "Now I've Got a Woman," with its riveting minor-keyed groove; the wailing slowie "Someday After Awhile (You'll Be Sorry)," covered by the Peter Green lineup of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers; and the faint exotica of "Bossa Nova Blues." Lonnie Mack adds some nice texture on rhythm guitar on a few of the sides of the latest vintage. ~ Richie Unterberger

Three Kings--B.B., Albert, and Freddie--ruled the electric blues guitar world of the 1960s. Freddie King was perhaps the rawest, most visceral player among them. His style earned him the eternal admiration of guitar legends Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, among many others.

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