This is a blues legend in his prime…
Freddie King – Feeling Alright: The Complete 1975 Nancy Pulsations Concert – Elemental Music 5990557 Record Store Day [4/18/2026] Deluxe Limited Edition 180-gram gatefold 3-LP Set, 126:13 ****1/2:
(Freddie King – guitar, vocals; Alvin Hemphill – organ; Ed Lively – guitar; Lewis Stephens – piano; Bennie Turner – bass; Calep Emphrey – drums)
Blues music was graced with 3 “kings” of the guitar, B.B., Albert and Freddie. Freddie King made his mark on the music scene, with unique guitar techniques from both Texas and Chicago. Utilizing open-string notation and piercing electric distortion, King adapted to the modern contours of this genre, aligning himself with British and American rockers. He favored semi-hollow Gibson electric guitars. King’s instrumental style (referred to as Texas Cannonball) relied on crisp, strident delivery. His soulful vocals were urgent with a “crying” tonal element. After establishing himself on specialty labels like Federal Records with songs like “Have You Ever Loved A Woman” and “Hideaway”, he moved on to rock labels like Shelter Records and toured extensively. Though, he died at 42, King was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the Blues Hall Of Fame.
Elemental Records has released a limited edition 180-gram triple vinyl of a monumental 1975 concert. Freddie King – Feeling Alright: The Complete 1975 Nancy Pulsations Concert. Fronting a sextet, he performed a two-hour set in front of 50,00 enthusiastic fans. Side A opens with his game-changing first hit, “Have You Ever Loved A Woman”. This is quintessential “down ’n’ dirty” electric blues. King’s guitar accents are blistering and the band provides a visceral, gritty backdrop to King’s gut-wrenching vocals. In a change of pace, “Whole Lot Of Lovin’” is high-octane rocking blues and King’s guitar is explosive. King and his band continue to dial up the intensity on the first medley, “Hey Baby/Mojo Boogie”. There are searing guitar licks and King digs deep on the vocal presentation, while the backing musicians propel the tempo. This is modern blues at its best.
The setlist is impressive. King’s confident delivery elevates “Messin’ With The Kid”. He is equally adept at slow-burning intensity on “That’s All Right”. His grasp of standards is a strength. “Going Down” has bone-rattling guitar licks and emotional singing. His ability to interpret slowed-down classics is equally adept on “Stormy Monday Blues”. One of the many album highlights is a robust instrumental medley, “Sen-Sa-Shun/Looking Good”. This is unadulterated blues celebration. The hits keep coming with perennial standards like “Boogie Chillun’”, “Sweet Home Chicago”, “Got My Mojo Workin’” and “Sweet Little Angel”. Drawing on the rock culture, King covers the Dace Mason/Traffic favorite “Feeling Alright”
Freddie King – Feeling Alright: The Complete 1975 Pulsations Concert Is another valuable addition to Record Store Day 2026 by Elemental Records. This is a blues legend in his prime. The restored sound (mixed by Marc Doutrepont and mastered by Matthew Lutthans/The Mastering Lab) is potent and captures the raw energy of King’s incendiary guitar and growling vocals. Included is an incisive booklet with liner notes by Cary Baker and interviews with Wanda King and fellow Texas blues guitarist Billy Gibbons. There are several concert photographs. Note: This album was released with the cooperation of the King family.
Highly recommended!
—Robbie Gerson
Freddie King – Feeling Alright:
TrackList:
Side A: Have You Ever Loved A Woman; Whole Lot Of Lovin’
Side B: Medley: Hey Baby/ Mojo Boogie; The Things I Used To Do
Side C: Messin’ With The Kid; That’s All Right; Stormy Monday Blues
Side D: Medley: Sen-Sa-Shun/Looking Good; Boogie Chiilun; Sweet Little Angel
Side E: Got My Mojo Working; Sweet Home Chicago; Wee Baby Blues
Side F: The Danger Zone; Feeling Alright; You’re The One/Finale.
