Freddie King - 'The Complete King Federal Singles'

"Working in Chicago, that's where I first started playing in a band, but I been playing guitar since I was six. I picked up the style between Lightnin' Hopkins and T-Bone Walker. That's in-between style, that's the way I play, see. So I plays country and city. I used to use three picks, but then Eddie Taylor, he showed me how to get the speed out of two picks, see. He's fast, man, Eddie is. But in a way I'm fast in some things, you know?"

— Freddie King

Texas claims Freddie King as its son. However, although he was born on a farm near Gilmer in 1934, King's real contribution came as one of the young musicians from Chicago's West Side who challenged the first generation of South Side musicians starting in the late '50s. Guitarists like Otis Rush, Jimmy Dawkins, Luther Allison and Magic Sam and other then contemporary guitarists played aggressive, virtuosic blues that attracted a younger crowd. Freddie King ran with them.

Freddie was always an innovator, and on his very first record, (made for the tiny El Bee label in 1956), he used Robert "Big Mojo" Elem (left) on electric bass, an instrument few others were using at the time.

Freddie also pushe­d boundaries by assembling one of the­ first multiracial backing bands, demonstrating his progressive mindse­t towards music.

In 1982, Freddie was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, and in 2012 to the Roll Hall of Fame, as an early influence.

Freddie King's big break came in 1960, when King/Federal Records opened an office in Chicago.  Sonny Thompson, a seasoned veteran of postwar rhythm and blues, was the talent scout, and after learning that Leonard Chess didn't think Freddie King was worth signing, snapped him up and took him to the label's home in Cincinnati to record. Singles "Have­ You Ever Loved a Woman" and the instrume­ntal track "Hide Away" truly showcased King’s exce­ptional guitar style, which drew inspiration from both Texas blue­s and Chicago blues traditions. "Hideaway" was so popular after its release that every bluesman with a band felt like he had to add the song to his repertoire.

Today's freeload is 'The Complete King Federal Singles', a 2CD set that collects, in chronological order, all 54 singles Freddie recorded for the King/Federal label, from his best (at least to my ears) period —1960 through 1967.

This is two and a half hours worth of great blues. There's a good mix of vocal and instrumental sides included and with the help of arranger/pianist Sonny Thompson, King released a number of great (sometimes incendiary) blues sides. There are a few tracks that were released to hopefully catch teenage ears from the "Twist" period, and some of his "Surf" sides. But all in all, this is a great collection from one of the best, most influential electric guitarists to ever play the blues.

This collection has a 15 page booklet (included in the freeload) that contains an essay by Freddie King expert Bill Dahl.  Also included are photographs, recording dates and chart positions of singles.

Jurgen Crasser's remastering is crystal clear.  CRANK UP THE VOLUME!

For the freeload, tell us what albums you listen to at a higher than usual volume.