The legendary collaboration between blues icons Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
The set represents both a definitive moment in blues history and a real-time snapshot of two all-time guitar masters in reverence of each other on stage.
Recorded live for television studios in Ontario, Canada, in 1983, this historic performance—supported by a world-class band featuring Tony Llorens – piano, organ, Gus Thornton – bass and Michael Llorens – drums – is the only known recording of King and Vaughan playing together. The Deluxe reissue includes the debut audio release of three tracks from the show, “Born Under a Bad Sign,” “Texas Flood” and “I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town.” Fans can preview the expanded collection with “Born Under a Bad Sign – Live”.
When Vaughan and King hit the stage in Ontario on December 6, 1983, Stevie Ray Vaughan was a rising star, while Albert King was entering a new phase of his career as a mentor. The duo’s relationship began a decade earlier in Vaughan’s hometown of Austin, TX, where, according to Billboard, King was playing a show and was hesitant about a “skinny white kid” joining him onstage.
Vaughan’s brother, Jimmie Vaughan, recalled the fateful event: “When Stevie was 19, we were at Antone’s and Albert King was playing. [Club owner Clifford Antone] says to Albert, ‘You’ve got to let this kid play, because he’s (amazing).’”
Continues Jimmie Vaughan, “Now Albert had heard it all, but he got Stevie up there, and Stevie commenced doing Albert King licks. There was silence at first. Everyone stood there with their mouths open. They couldn’t believe it. But Albert loved it. He put his arm around him, and from then on it was Albert and Stevie. Everybody went, ‘Whew, that was scary.’ I would never have tried that, but you’ve got to admire the audacity.”
This kicked off one of the most exciting relationships in music. The concert recording captures a striking musical dialogue between the two, with Vaughan introducing King’s classic licks and expanding them in his one-of-a-kind style.
By 1983, Vaughan was on track to become as respected in the blues world as King. Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted that Vaughan had “become the hot blues guitarist of the year thanks to his debut Texas Flood, as well as his work on David Bowie’s hit ‘Let’s Dance.’”
The Ontario performance has since become one of the most celebrated live shows in blues history. Erlewine continued, “Vaughan may have been the new news, but King was not suffering, either. He had a world-class supporting band and was playing as well as he ever had. In other words, the stage was set for a fiery, exciting concert and that’s exactly what they delivered.”
This heralded and exceedingly rare collection is a defining statement that celebrates the prowess of these two blues giants. On In Session, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan not only redefined the art of improvisational blues but also set a new standard for live music.
Side A:
1. Introduction
2. Born Under A Bad Sign
Side B:
1. Texas Flood
Side C:
1. Call It Stormy Monday
2. Old Times
3. Pride And Joy
4. Ask Me No Questions
Side D:
1. Pep Talk
2. Blues At Sunrise
3. Turn It Over
4. Overall Junction
Side E:
1. Match Box Blues
2. Who Is Stevie?
3. Don’t Lie To Me
Side F:
1. I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
2. Outro
Disc 1:
1. Introduction
2. Born Under A Bad Sign
3.Texas Flood
4. Call It Stormy Monday
5. Old Times
6. Pride And Joy
7. Ask Me No Questions
8. Pep Talk
9. Blues At Sunrise
Disc 2:
1. Turn It Over
2. Overall Junction
3. Match Box Blues
4. Who Is Stevie?
5. Don’t Lie To Me
6. I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
7. Outro
