Freddie King: Live in Europe

He didn't have the stature, the popularity, or perhaps even the talent of B.B. or Albert, the other members of the King Family of blues guitarist-singers (although they were not, in fact, related). But Freddie King, who died in 1976 at age 42, could pack quite a wallop himself. Only some of that is apparent in this 11-track (including two versions of two tunes) compilation, recorded in '73 and '74 at three gigs in Sweden and Switzerland. Maybe you had to be there--due primarily to the somewhat cheesy look and tinny mono sound of all three gigs (two were shot in TV studios, the third at an outdoor concert), this is not King at his best. Not that the European audiences minded much; a Texas-born musician, King added heavy doses of soul and even rock ‘n' roll to his blues (he even performs the Bill Withers standard “Ain't No Sunshine”), and he and his band expend more than enough energy (especially on the “Blues Band Shuffle” jam, which appears twice) to inspire their listeners. In the end, this is a valuable but not essential document of an under-appreciated (except by the likes of Eric Clapton, who covered “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” with Derek and the Dominos) musician of considerable skill and power. Optional. Aud: P. (S. Graham)