Friday, Sept. 26, 2003 | 9:24 a.m.
With PBS' seven-part, Martin Scorsese-produced "The Blues" documentary set to kick off on Sunday, there's no better time to take a trip to the Mississippi Delta.
Albert King grew up in Arkansas, but the singer and guitarist was born in Indianola, Miss., in 1923. Either way, he certainly qualifies as a true legend of the genre, albeit an often underappreciated one.
"Wednesday Night in San Francisco" presents King in an unusual setting, a live show at Bill Graham's Fillmore Auditorium in June 1968. The liner notes tell the tale of the hippie crowd worshipping at the feet of the man who inspired so many of their heroes, from Jimi Hendrix to Jerry Garcia.
The disc proves that the blues don't have to be a depressing affair. The spirited King works through a set of mostly upbeat material that showcases his deep, soulful voice and his original approach to the electric guitar.
Backed by a four-piece band, King tears into his solos with unbridled energy and an adventurous spirit. His guitar practically sings lyrics of its own on "Why You So Mean to Me," "I Get Evil" and "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong."
Another standout track is "Born Under a Bad Sign," a song written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones and turned into a classic rock staple by Cream in the 1960s.
King's version swings righteously behind the bass of Roosevelt Pointer and drummer Theotis Morgan, but King's throaty vocals and piercing guitar riffs win the day, ringing out above his bandmates' instruments.
It's hard for me to recommend "Wednesday Night" without mentioning two other discs recorded during King's same Fillmore stand. (All three feature vibrant sound, particularly by 1960s standards.)
The following night is preserved on the companion piece, "Thursday Night in San Francisco," an excellent CD that features such blues classics as "Call it Stormy Monday," "Everyday I Have the Blues" and "Crosscut Saw."
And additional excerpts from both shows -- including a full version of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" -- comprise the 1979 release "Live Wire/ Blues Power," an album many consider King's most seminal live work.
Perhaps someday a label will see its way clear to compiling both Fillmore nights in their entirety, and in their correct order, on a multidisc set. Until then, the three Stax/Fantasy Records discs will remain essential pieces, both for King completists and those looking to experiment with one of history's most talented bluesmen.
Artist: Albert King.
Title: "Wednesday Night in San Francisco."
Year of release: 1990 (recorded in 1968, Stax/Fantasy Records).
Tracklisting: "Watermelon Man" (excerpt), "Why You So Mean to to Me, "I get Evil," "Got to Be Some Changes Made," "Personal Manager," "Born Under a Bad Sign," "Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong."
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