The Big Blues
The Big Blues | ||||
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Compilation album by Albert King | ||||
Released | 1962 (1962) | |||
Genre | Blues | |||
Length | 34:49 | |||
Label | King | |||
Albert King chronology | ||||
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The Big Blues is a compilation album by Albert King, released by King Records in 1962. It is his first album and the only one before he signed with Stax Records, where he would record most albums during his career. The album was later reissued under the title Travelin' to California.
Recording
The Big Blues compiles songs previously released by King Records and Bobbin Records as singles and B-sides.[1] King recorded "Blues at Sunrise" and "Let's Have a Natural Ball" for the St. Louis label Bobbin in 1960,[2] which helped to introduce him to a wider audience.
In October 1961, King released "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong", which included Ike Turner on piano.[1] It did so well locally that King Records leased the record from Bobbin and released it as a single the next month.[3] It became King's first appearance on the charts, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard R&B chart.[4]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Track listing
All songs were written by Albert King, except where noted.
Side 1
- "Let's Have a Natural Ball" – 2:52
- "What Can I Do to Change Your Mind?" – 2:48
- "I Get Evil"[7] – 2:26
- "Had You Told It Like It Was (It Wouldn't Be Like It Is)" (Sonny Thompson, Gene Redd) – 2:59
- "This Morning"[8] – 2:10
- "I Walked All Night Long" – 2:51
Side 2
- "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong" – 2:55
- "Travelin' to California" – 3:00
- "I've Made Nights by Myself" – 2:34
- "This Funny Feeling" (Rudy Toombs) – 2:32
- "Ooh-Ee Baby" – 3:52
- "Dyna Flow" – 2:50
Personnel
- Albert King – guitar, vocals
- Ike Turner – piano on "Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong"[1]
- Additional unknown musicians
- Pierre Wooten – cover illustration
References
- ^ a b c Obrecht, Jas (2000). Rollin' and Tumblin': The Postwar Blues Guitarists. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. p. 349. ISBN 978-0-87930-613-7.
- ^ "Review of New Pop Records – Rhythm & Blues" (PDF). Billboard. September 12, 1960. p. 58 – via Americanradiohistory.com.
- ^ Erlewine, Daniel; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (1996). "Albert King". In Erlewine, Michael; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Koda, Cub (eds.). All Music Guide to the Blues. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. p. 149. ISBN 0-87930-424-3.
- ^ "Hot R&B Sides" (PDF). Billboard. December 11, 1961. p. 36 – via Americanradiohistory.com.
- ^ AllMusic. "Albert King: The Big Blues – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
{{cite web}}
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has generic name (help) - ^ Russell, Tony; Smith, Chris (2006). The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin. p. 348. ISBN 978-0-140-51384-4.
- ^ In 1940, Tampa Red first recorded "Don't You Lie to Me" with similar lyrics.
- ^ In 1961, the Mar-Keys recorded the similar instrumental "Last Night".
- v
- t
- e
- Years Gone By (1969)
- Blues for Elvis – King Does the King's Things (1970)
- Lovejoy (1971)
- I'll Play the Blues for You (1972)
- I Wanna Get Funky (1974)
- The Pinch a.k.a. The Blues Don't Change (1974)
- Albert (1976)
- King Albert (1977)
- I'm in a Phone Booth, Baby (1984)
- Live Wire/Blues Power (1968)
- Blues at Sunrise (1988)
- Wednesday Night in San Francisco (1990)
- Thursday Night in San Francisco (1990)
- Blues at Sunset (1993)
- In Session (1999)
- The Big Blues (1962)
- Born Under a Bad Sign (1967)
- King of the Blues Guitar (1969)
- Wattstax (1972)
- Montreux Festival (1974)
- Hard Bargain (1996)
- "I Get Evil" (1962)
- "Crosscut Saw" (1967)
- "Born Under a Bad Sign" (1967)
- "As the Years Go Passing By" (1969)
- "The Hunter" (1969)
- "The Very Thought of You" (1979)
- "Kansas City" (1967)
- "I Almost Lost My Mind" (1967)
- "Watermelon Man" (1968)
- "Every Day I Have the Blues" (1968)
- "Drifting Blues" (1968)
- "Killing Floor" (1969)
- "The Sky Is Crying" (1969)
- "You Don't Love Me" (1969)
- "Hound Dog" (1970)
- "What'd I Say" (1971)
- "She Caught the Katy" (1971)
- "I'll Be Doggone" (1972)
- "Match Box Blues" (1973)
- "Stormy Monday" (1973)
- 1976: "I'm Ready" (1976)
- "My Babe" (1976)
- "Dust My Broom" (1984)
- "Red House" (1992)
- Discography
- King Records
- Stax Records
- Booker T. & the MG's
- Soul blues