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Albert Collins Truckin’ With Albert Collins

Recorded from 1962 to ’63 and originally called The Cool Sound Of Albert Collins, a listen to tracks such as Frosty, Tremble and Backstroke will demonstrate how Albert would habitually open and close phrases with the 6th. His overdriven tones must have been nothing short of revolutionary at the time and his phrasing contains some unexpected nimble twists. This was partly due to his unusual approach of using a capo and playing in open position, but we can take this and put it to use in standard tuning, too.

Freddy King Let’s Hide Away and Dance Away

Freddie (then calling himself Freddy) inspired none other than Eric Clapton with his use of the Gibson Les Paul – pictured on the front cover of this album – plus tracks such as Hide Away, which Eric famously covered with John Mayall’s Blues Breakers. San-Ho-Zay and The Stumble are also recommended listening. This is actually a very influential album in the blues world, containing the original versions of several classics, played through a loud amp on the edge of breakup. Very rock ’n’ roll!

Albert King Born Under A Bad Sign

Albert’s elastic phrasing is both fluid and expressive on this classic cut from 1967. The title track treads a fine line between major and minor keys, which is unsettling but interesting. His soloing on Crosscut Saw and The Hunter is both inventive and influential, too. Albert King is certainly at the top of his game at this point and most tracks will reward you at least an idea or two with careful listening. It’s not hard to imagine many of today’s most respected players doing the very same back in 1967.