Freddy King - Blues Guitar Hero Vol 2

This is my second post of the Federal/King recordings of the "Texas Cannonball" Freddy King, compiled on the quality Ace (UK) label. Here we have more of his best vocal and instrumental recordings and some rare alternate takes from the period 1961 to 1966.
Originally from Texas, Freddy moved to Chicago in 1950 and proceeded to hone his craft in the local club scene. As a young buck he became associated with the Chicago West Side school of blues guitarists along with Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Luther Allison, Eddy Clearwater and others.  At this time, during the late 1950's and early 1960's these artists were seen as the 'new thing' .
He was not signed by the famous Chess Records group as they believed his style was too close to the master B B King. Hence his signing to Federal/King where he would travel to Cincinnatti to make recordings under the supervision of pianist/producer Sonny Thompson,
So here are 24 recordings from that period and the sub-title 'Influential' is no empty claim. Freddie became a Blues hero around the world. Unfortunately Freddy was to have a short life and was dead at age 42 due to acute pancreatitis.
'Freddy' changed the spelling of his first name to 'Freddie' for his next recordings on the Cotillion/Atlantic label and I shall post these in the near future. Meanwhile enjoy the great guitar and wailing vocals of a Blues Master !!!

Freddy King - Blues Guitar Hero : The Influential Early Sessions

Freddie King (September 3, 1934, Gilmer, Texas – December 28, 1976, Dallas. Texas ), thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "The Texas Cannonball", was an influential American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert King and B.B. King, as well as being the youngest of the three.
Freddie King based his guitar style on Texas and Chicago influences and was one of the first bluesmen to have a multi-racial backing band onstage with him at live performances. He is best known for singles such as "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" (1960) and his Top 40 hit "Hide Away" (1961). He is also known for albums such as the early, instrumental-packed 'Let's 'Hide Away and Dance Away with Freddy King (1961)' and the later album 'Burglar' (1974), which displayed King's mature versatility as both player and singer in a range of blues and funk styles.
King had a twenty-year recording career and became established as an influential guitarist with hits for Federal Records, in the early 1960s. He inspired American musicians such as Jerry Garcia, Stevie Ray Vaughan and his brother Jimmie Vaughan and others. His influence was also felt in UK, through recordings by blues revivalists such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green,and Chicken Shack. 
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. (Wikipedia) 

'Freddy' became 'Freddie' King after his recording spell at Federal/King Records between  1960 -66. Originally from Texas, he moved to Chicago at age 16 where he began his Blues apprenticeship in the local bars and clubs.  Chess Records turned down the opportunity to record him as they thought him too similar to B B King. He was eventually signed to the Federal/King label where he made his most well-known recordings, many having a huge influence on the British Blues boom of the 1960's.
Here is an excellent compilation of these early singles and album cuts (as 'Freddy') from the Ace (UK) label, well known for it's high quality reissues. If this proves popular I will post Vol 2 from Ace and then all his subsequent recordings in chronological order - 2 albums on Atlantic/Cotillion, 3 for Shelter and 2 for RSO Records. Unfortunately, his career ended prematurely, after the RSO releases. On 28 December 1976, the Texas Cannonball passed away, aged 42, due to stomach ulcers which led to acute pancreatitis . 
If you like : let me know in the comments. Enjoy.