Albert Live

AMG Review of Albert Live

Ron Wynn
All Music Guide

Albert King Live was in some ways the finest live blues album King ever made, although it wasn't as successful as the recordings he made at the Fillmore West. But it featured numerous spectacular solos, with King showing his complete guitar technique. Rhino's recent CD reissue unfortunately opted to trim the superb, lengthy cut, "Jam In A-Flat," which featured blistering solos by King, Rory Gallagher and Louisiana Red. That dubious decision doesn't negate the CD's value, but certainly casts a pall over it, particularly since they retained Robert Palmer's exhaustive original notes and convey the impression that you're getting the total session intact. Still, King's versions of "Stormy Monday," "Kansas City," "Watermelon Man" and "I'll Play The Blues For You" are marvelous, as are "Matchbox Holds My Clothes," "As The Years Go Passing By" and "Don't Burn Down The Bridges."