Albert King: Live In Sweden-Blues-DVD- 14381170320

Well it is absolutely about darn time a DVD was released dealing exclusively with the single greatest and most influential Blues guitarist of all time. This DVD certainly has its limitations. It was filmed in 1980 and the wonders of technology havent done much to improve the audio or visual quality. It is also disappointingly skimpy. Just fifty-eight minutes and that includes pieces of an interview. When I saw the track listing. I was thrilled to see Summertime. I could hear Kings haunting guitar on the standard. and my mouth began to water. Unfortunately. Albert sat this one out. and it is just his band doing a nice. but predictable Jazz version. Imperfections aside. if you know Albert Kings work. you are invariably a fan. and so this DVD is an essential buy. Theres plenty of good camera work showing Kings giant paws working the frets and choking the you know what out of Lucy. the Gibson Flying V guitar that Albert calls. My honey. We hear his signature tune Born Under a Bad Sign (I still havent heard a version that wasnt just a little better than decent without Kings Stax Records compadres Booker T. & the MGs backing him up) and the standard The Very Thought of You. which shows that the deep voiced Blues giant was also one heck of a soulful singer. and that though Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn could almost match his power. they never came close to his tastefulness and touch. King definitely provides great highlights. not only with his playing. but with his always perfectly timed Woooooooos! and Yeahhhhs!. Those moments are great examples of Albert King style Blues. Orgasmic bursts of joy that could instantly cure the bluest mans blues. Usually depicted as a gruff giant. King comes across more as a lovable teddy bear in the snippets of the interview. I found him to be truly endearing as he chuckles at things he just said. The interview. though pretty skimpy as well. and also the closing number make everything worth while. He does a wonderful version of As the Years Go Passing By. And as they pass on by. the world will never see his equal. Every year I hear of a new guy on the scene who is being hailed as the heir apparent. but there will never be another Albert King