I am an Albert King enthusiast. I am speaking of the guitarist and performer, knowing less than I would like to about him as a person. There isn't any point in my summarizing what you are able to read here: Albert King WikipediaHowever, in the spirit of thoroughness, let's suffice it to say that Albert King was born in Indianola, Mississippi in 1923, and grew up in Forrest City, Arkansas. Albert was not related to BB King, who also was born in Indianola. Albert sometimes did refer to BB King as his half brother, thus the question of their relationship. A. King passed in 1992.
Albert King stood 6 foot and 4 inches, 250 pounds. For more of his background visit the Wikipedia article at the link listed above. I would like to tell you why I enjoy his music so very much.
Albert King has one of the smoothest voices, with great clarity, warmth and mellow timber. A great voice on a blues guitarist is a bonus, and he has just that. Albert King is a guitarist with a natural feel that is unmistakably his own. His licks at times resemble BB King, but he is a legendary blues guitarist in his own right. I love them both as guitarists, but Albert is my preference between the two if I am forced to make a call on that point.
Albert King typically was seen playing a Gibson Korina Flying V guitar, though he also owned various other Flying V models, including a collection of "Lucy" Flying V's, among other instruments. As a matter of fact, according to one reference, he has a Flying V Guitar etched on his gravestone in Forrest City, Arkansas.
Albert King shows up on a number of Blues Collection albums, which is where I first came across him and his music. One such record is "Pure Blues" on UTV Records, released on CD in 2001. On this collection he plays "Born Under a Bad Sign" which is a signature song. His all time classic album is entitled, "Born Under a Bad Sign" and was released in 1967. On this record Albert King is accompanied by Booker T. and the MG's. This group of songs have arguably become as important to the blues world as any single album containing an individual artist's blues recordings.
Listening to Albert King, I hear full, round notes of delicious guitar tone. He uses plenty of bends and senses the tube tone of an amplifier as well as any guitarist. He produces a combination of a clean signal with a natural tube-powered breakup when he is heard finessing his strings. I have a video/CD album he recorded with Stevie Ray Vaughan and he is seen playing with his thumb on his pick hand, and his guitar is played upside down, as he is a left handed player. He doesn't reverse the strings as do some artists, but literally has his high strings on top and the E, A and D strings are on the lower part of the guitar. It is interesting to watch him play his leads as he reaches all the way across the strings to pull them down in typical bends, as opposed to the rest of us who push the high strings up from the bottom of the neck. This left handed approach is neither a distraction for the listener or a detriment to his excellent natural playing style.
My goal is to emulate Albert King as much as possible as I try to integrate Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy styles as I learn their techniques. The tone of Albert's guitar is unmistakable and can be heard on the album/video performed and recorded with S.R. Vaughan, entitled, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan "In Session." My favorite cuts of Albert King on this record are "Blues at Sunrise", "Call it Stormy Monday" and "Texas Flood." His style is thought to be among the most original, though none can claim they play blues without relying to some degree on players such as Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, Elmore James and Muddy Waters. Of these, he is closest to Muddy Waters as a singer and guitarist, in my humble opinion.
Albert King spends some time on In Session chatting with Stevie Ray Vaughan about his talent and potential. Obviously, looking back on this exchange now, it is almost humorous considering how great SRV became, and continues to become, as time passes. Albert chuckles humbly as SRV breaks out in a blazing, cool lick while they perform on their historic In Session collection.
Albert King has inspired me and his lyrics melt like butter on my ears as he makes the Gibson Flying V sing. His voice is a bit of heaven as he can't hide is enthusiasm for life that always seems to emerge from his vocals. His guitar technique is a "must hear" for budding blues players or fans of blues music. If you haven't yet heard Albert King, you will surely enjoy him. -- Guitar Man
