AVID Roots continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release, 3 albums from Freddie King and one classic from Albert King complete with original artwork and liner notes. “Let’s Hide Away And Dance Away with Freddie King”; “Freddie King Sings”; “Boy Girl Boy” featuring Lula Reed and Sonny Thompson plus Albert King “The Big Blues”. In 1949, aged just 15 a young Fred King made the move so many black families had made during the 1940’s and left their home in Dallas Texas and moved to Chicago in search of a better life. King had been learning the guitar for some time but now he found himself in Chicago he began frequenting the South Side night clubs where he would go on to witness the live shows from the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, T. Bone Walker and Sonny Boy Williamson. Not a bad education for an aspiring blues man! Having failed to get signed by Chess on the South Side he moved to the West Side and hooked up with the likes of Magic Sam, one of the great blues guitarists. Eventually King ran into Sonny Thompson at King Records who signed him to King subsidiary Federal Records where his first sides were released. Here we feature three early albums consisting of fine instrumentals, King solo vocals and classic vocal duets . “The Velvet Bulldozer”, otherwise known as bluesman Albert King started his musical career playing drums behind Jimmy Reed for whom he made a few recordings before taking up the electric guitar under the influence of Lonnie Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson. It took King quite a while to establish himself as he kept changing his name and referring to himself as related to B.B. King, which was not true, neither was he related to our other featured artist Freddie King! He also had a habit of moving around a lot, like many bluesman of the era, looking for work and a recording contract. Finally Albert King hit big in 1961 with his single “Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong” which went on to feature on his first album and our final selection “The Big Blues”.
CD1 1-12: ‘Freddy King - Let’s Hide Away And Dance Away with Freddy King’ 1. Hide Away 2. Butterscotch 3. Sen-Sa-Shun 4. Side Tracked 5. The Stumble 6. Wash Out 7. San-Ho-Zay 8. Just Pickin’ 9. Heads Up 10. In The Open 11. Out Front 12. Swooshy 13-24: ‘Freddy King – Freddy King Sings’ 13. Lonesome Whistle Blues 14. You’ve Got To Love Her With A Feeling 15. Have You Ever Loved A Woman 16. You Know That You Love Me (But You Never Tell Me So) 17. You Mean, Mean Woman (How Can Your Love Be True) 18. It’s Too Bad That Things Are Going So Tough 19. If You Believe (In What You Do) 20. Let Me Be (Stay Away From Me) 21. Takin’ Care Of Business 22. I Love The Woman 23. I’m Torn Down 24. See See Baby
CD2 1-8: ‘Freddy King with Lula Reed & Sonny Thompson – Boy Girl Boy’ 1. Do The Peppermint Twist 2. I Got A Notion 3. Know What You’re Doing 4. You Can’t Hide 5. What Makes You So Cold 6. Puddentane 7. (Let Your Love) Watch Over Me 8. I’m A Woman (But I Don’t Talk Too Much) 9. Waste No More Tears 10. It’s Easy Child 11. I Know 12. Why Don’t You Come On Home 13-24: ‘Albert King – The Big Blues’ 13. Let’s Have A Natural Ball 14. What Can I Do To Change Your Mind 15. I Get Evil 16. Had You Told It Like It Was (It Wouldn’t Be Like It Is) 17. This Morning 18. I Walked All Night Long 19. Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong 20. Travelin’ To California 21. I’ve Made Nights By Myself 22. This Funny Feeling 23. Ooh –Ee Baby 24. Dyna Flow
