#491: Albert King – Born Under a Bad Sign

Those ARE bad signs…yipes!

#491

Albert King, Born Under a Bad Sign

Release Date: 1967
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: Pretty rocking, soulful Stax-influenced blues record that came out during a huge year for music, but doesn’t cop to psychedelic trends of that year. Still fairly modern and you can see why everyone stole from Albert King’s stinging guitar style. The arrangements and funky back up from Booker T. & The MGs are predictably excellent, even for overly-familiar songs like “Kansas City.” Songs are rock solid, and occasionally dirty (“Crosscut Saw”) or even amusing (“Personal Manager”.) Sometimes this album seemed more workmanlike than transcendent, but when this style has been ripped off so much–its hard to listen with fresh ears. Perfect Stax horns on many of the songs, nothing too pretty or obnoxious. Plus, the whole album is nice and short too; doesn’t over stay it’s welcome.

Starred Songs: Born Under A Bad Sign, Crosscut Saw
Sneaky Track: The Very Thought Of You, Personal Manager
Should this album be on the list? Yes
Will you listen to this again? I think so. I would play this ahead of a Clapton record, had I the hankering for some Blues. Although, I gotta give B.B. King’s Live IN Cook County Jail the edge for personal reasons, but, man, this went down well.

Rating: ★★★3/4