The Big Blues Explained

The Big Blues
Type:compilation
Artist:Albert King
Cover:Thebigblues_album.jpg
Genre:Blues
Length:34:49
Label:King
Next Title:Born Under a Bad Sign
Next Year:1967

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. 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]

Track listing

All songs were written by Albert King, except where noted.

Side 1

  1. "Let's Have a Natural Ball" – 2:52
  2. "What Can I Do to Change Your Mind?" – 2:48
  3. "I Get Evil"[5] – 2:26
  4. "Had You Told It Like It Was (It Wouldn't Be Like It Is)" (Sonny Thompson, Gene Redd) – 2:59
  5. "This Morning"[6] – 2:10
  6. "I Walked All Night Long" – 2:51

Side 2

  1. "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong" – 2:55
  2. "Travelin' to California" – 3:00
  3. "I've Made Nights by Myself" – 2:34
  4. "This Funny Feeling" (Rudy Toombs) – 2:32
  5. "Ooh-Ee Baby" – 3:52
  6. "Dyna Flow" – 2:50

Personnel

Notes and References

  1. Book: Obrecht , Jas . Rollin' and Tumblin': The Postwar Blues Guitarists. Backbeat Books. San Francisco. 2000. 978-0-87930-613-7. 349.
  2. September 12, 1960. Review of New Pop RecordsRhythm & Blues. Billboard. 58. Americanradiohistory.com.
  3. Encyclopedia: Erlewine. Daniel. Erlewine. Stephen Thomas. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. 1996. Albert King. Erlewine. Michael. Michael Erlewine. Bogdanov. Vladimir. Vladimir Bogdanov (editor). Woodstra. Chris. Koda. Cub. Cub Koda. All Music Guide to the Blues. San Francisco. Miller Freeman Books. 0-87930-424-3. 149.
  4. December 11, 1961. Hot R&B Sides. Billboard. 36. Americanradiohistory.com.
  5. In 1940, Tampa Red first recorded "Don't You Lie to Me" with similar lyrics.
  6. In 1961, the Mar-Keys recorded the similar instrumental "Last Night".

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Big Blues".

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