Rediscovered Freddie King Concert: A Blues Legend Reimagined
A long-lost live performance by the legendary blues guitarist Freddie King has been rediscovered and meticulously restored after five decades. This remarkable concert will be available for the first time ever in a special triple-vinyl edition, coinciding with Record Store Day.
Celebrating a Blues Icon
Feeling Alright: The Complete 1975 Nancy Jazz Pulsations concerts (Elemental) is set too be a powerful testament to the texas Cannonball’s prowess, captivating an audience of 50,000 blues enthusiasts in France. This performance showcases King at the peak of his career, just a year before his untimely passing at the age of 42.
Release dates and Special Contributions
The vinyl edition will be released on April 18, followed by CD and digital formats on April 24.The liner notes feature insights from esteemed music journalist Cary Baker, with additional contributions from ZZ Top’s Billie Gibbons and King’s daughter, Wanda King.
A Night to Remember
Reflecting on the concert, Gibbons remarked, “At this show in Nancy – just a year before his untimely departure – the Texas Cannonball poured it on in a big way.”
Wanda king, who began her musical journey as a backing vocalist for her father, played a pivotal role in securing his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, with ZZ Top honoring him posthumously.
Setlist Highlights
During this electrifying performance, King delivered powerful renditions of blues classics such as Stormy Monday Blues, Sweet home Chicago, and Got My Mojo Working, seamlessly blending them into a medley that included Sen Sa shun, Looking good, and Boogie chillun. By this time, King had already established himself as a commanding figure in the blues scene, while also exploring diverse musical styles.
His 1974 studio album, Burglar, featured collaborations with notable artists like Eric Clapton and Bobby Tench, and he toured alongside Rush to promote the album. The Nancy concert includes a rendition of King’s cover of Dave Mason’s Feelin’ Alright, and also a performance of Don Nix’s Going down, which he recorded with Leon Russell for his 1971 album Getting Ready….
Preserving a Musical Legacy
The restoration of this concert was sanctioned by the Freddie King Estate and executed by acclaimed archivist and producer Zev Feldman,who has been dubbed “the Indiana Jones of jazz” by The New Yorker.Utilizing the original ORTF recordings,sound restoration expert Marc Doutrepont mixed the album,while Matthew Lutthans handled the mastering at The Mastering Lab.
“These recordings capture a moment when he was transcending audiences and influencing players around the world,” says Feldman, who emphasizes King’s importance as a “defining figure in blues and rock guitar.”
Feldman adds, “It’s also been deeply meaningful to work with his daughter, Wanda King, as we set out not only to release this music but to celebrate Freddie’s legacy and the impact he made. These performances present him at his very best – and they’re thrilling to here.”
Backing Band and Performance Details
On that memorable night, October 25, 1975, King was accompanied by an extraordinary lineup: Calep Emphrey on drums, organist Alvin Hemphill, guitarist Mark Pollack, pianist Lewis Stephens, and bassist Benny turner.
Get Your copy
for further details, visit Elemental, and don’t forget to check with your local record store for the vinyl release. Notably, Rough Trade has announced that the vinyl edition will be limited to just 5,000 copies.
