I'll Play the Blues for You
Albert King
Label: Concord Music Group
Release: May 22, 2012
Reviewed: May 20, 2012
Albert King’s I’ll Play the Blues for You is the latest release by Concord Music Group of its Stax Remasters series. Originally recorded in 1972 in Memphis, this classic blues album was released at the end of a time when radio stations were playing a mix of musical genres.This re-mastered classic must-have blues album has been enhanced by 24-bit remastering by Joe Tarantino.
In addition to the original eight tunes that graced the first release of I’ll Play the Blues for You, there are four bonus tracks of previously unreleased material. Those include alternate versions of the title track and Don’t Burn Down The Bridge (‘Cause You Might Wanna Come Back Across) as well as I Need Love and Albert’s Stomp.
This album, once again, showcases the brilliance, creativity and versatility of Mr. King and why it was hailed as the most influential and entertaining blues records of the seventies. King’s amazing guitar work is complemented by the new line-up of the Bar-Kays (who was all but wiped out in the tragic Otis Redding plane crash) and Isaac Hayes’ The Movement as well as Andrew Love on tenor trumpet and Wayne Jackson on trumpet.
It would be an insult to the memory of Albert King for me to three tunes from this CD as Boomerocity favorites. Each and every of the now 12 songs on this album is a jewel in and of itself. The album is great blues, the way it was meant to be played – now and throughout the ages.
Written by Randy Patterson
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