Albert King
Born Under a Bad Sign

THE REVIEW

When Blues is not just a musical style but a way of life. The invention of the electric guitar and the revolution in Blues, the 50s-60s and the birth of numerous strictly black artists, often with names that evoke ancient tradition, the 3 King of Blues specifically, brought new light to a genre that, through highs and lows, has never shown signs of decline, and is not doing so even in today's crumbling musical values. The godfather of electric Blues, ladies and gentlemen, Albert King. One of the 3 'kings' of Blues guitar alongside the perhaps more renowned B.B. King and the perhaps too little renowned Freddie King. He became famous worldwide in a short time thanks to his 'Lucy,' a Gibson Flying V, also named after a woman (did someone say Lucille?). A peculiarity that characterized him was being left-handed, and consequently, his guitar's neck was oriented to the right side, which earned him the heavy title of godfather to guitarists of the caliber of Hendrix, but also Stevie Ray Vaughan and to some extent Rory Gallagher.

The album we are examining is his second release, dated 1967, the essential Born Under a Bad Sign. The cover is also curious, filled with graphic representations of bad luck, after all, Albert is 'born under a bad sign.' I believe it’s superficial to analyze all the songs, but I’ll say something anyway. Here we talk about Blues reduced to essentials: guitar, piano, drums, bass, and black, very black voice, the kind only great 90 Kg minimum Bluesmen had. The great classics can be counted on the fingers of one hand (or two?). The initial 'Born Under a Bad Sign,' which gives the album its title, is a burst of electric Blues of just under 3 minutes. Side A flows pleasantly, but it's Side B that will greatly satisfy the enthusiasts of the genre. Skeptics should try listening to tracks like 'I Almost Lost My Mind,' 'Personal Manager,' and my favorite, a staple of our king, 'As The Years Go Passing By,' by Daedric Malone. There are many covers, really many, but we know how Blues is, especially when artists are on their first albums; after all, perhaps more in Blues than in other genres, what matters is interpretation, making a piece one's own is fundamental, having a clear objective in mind, the self-branded reproduction. In short, a truly frightening Side B, where unlike Side A, a much more tormented, much sadder Blues dominates, much more like a starry night.

If Blues is the means through which man can make his soul sing, this record is the perfect means to touch the musical divine. Recently it was the anniversary of Albert King's death (December 21st), which occurred about twenty years ago. I like to remember him this way, sharing this great record with you and bringing it to life once again in our stereos...As The Years Go Passing By....