“I’m tore down, I’m almost level with the ground.” The juxtaposition between the downtrodden lyrics and the joyous music make perfect sense in King’s hands. It is one of the best examples of King setting aside the blues to veer into a soul and gospel amalgam. King’s guitar virtuosity is subdued, which allows his deep, emotive growl to steal the spotlight. And on “Ain’t Nobody’s Business,” King slows the tempo way down to deliver a bit of ancient wisdom through song. Some artists have the rare gift of being able to steal songs from the past. Alongside a rhythm, feel, and backing horn section reminiscent of the many Chicago Style blues classics, King lets his guitar do the singing as he bends and twists through each verse, seemingly enjoying the sounds he’s creating as much as the listener is.īuy on Amazon 8. A showcase for King’s ability to blend into an ensemble while remaining the cornerstone of the tune, he finds himself playing a supporting role as the overall mood propels the song forward.įirst heard on King’s iconic debut instrumental album, “Stumble” opens with a full-throated guitar riff and a tone that would become emblematic of his playing style. Driven by various rapid percussion and charging horn blasts, this upbeat instrumental provides a welcome contrast to King’s straightforward blues persona. Here are Blues Rock Review’s top 10 Freddie King songs. Guitar slung over one shoulder, his face wearing whatever emotion he was playing, the only thing larger than the man himself is the catalog of songs he left behind. King’s influence on modern guitar becomes more apparent as successive generations discover his brilliance. He lived as hard as he played, and as a result died at the age of 42. A bluesman who drifted effortlessly between rock, gospel, and funk, his multifaceted style and ability to play both tenderly and explosively shone brightly but briefly. Falling somewhere between the post-war blues pantheon and the late ‘60s electric blues revolution, Freddie King’s music provides the missing link that helps make sense of the blues rock timeline.
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