Yesterday was Freddie King's birthday. I feel obligated to pay tribute to Freddie because his name seems to have been lost in the decades since he passed away. King, in my opinion, was one of the all-time great blues guitarists.
Freddie had a style all of his own. With silky smooth vocals and an original sounding guitar, Freddie sounded like B.B. King but with a Texas twist. "Hide Away," is considered to be the pinnacle of Freddie's career, it is one of the most recognizable blues songs and has been covered by such greats as John Mayall and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Getting Ready is what I considered to be his finest recording. This is a must have album for any blues lover. Freddie covers many blues classics such as "Dust My Broom," "Key To The Highway," and "Worried Life Blues." Freddie's sound is fresh on the album, including a string accompaniment on the opening track "Same Old Blues."
Unfortunately Freddie died in Dallas in 1976 of a heart attack. He toured heavily until he died and was probably took a toll on his vitality. Freddie's impact on the blues is still felt today, influencing later blues men like Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and John Earl Walker.
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