Wackiness.org Reviews Archive § Music

When two greats of contemporary rock-blues come together there is a good chance that the result will kick major ass. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King certainly didn't disappoint. In Session was, as the name suggests, a live session with the two musicians. Although many live albums disappoint, this certainly did not. Each man was spurred to play harder by the other, thus creating one of the best blues compilation I've heard. Recorded in late 1983, this capped off an extraordinary year for Stevie, who released his debut Texas Flood, and did session work with David Bowie.

The only part of the CD that disappoints is these little intermissions where Albert King talks to Stevie, and gives him advice. I really think that they were unnecessary, and were just there to make it sound more live. Every song heard on the CD exhibits the intense emotion of the blues, which why it is so brilliant. I was less than enthused by parts of "Blues at Sunrise," were Albert starts talking about performing with Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin at the Fillmore West. It's kind of interesting, but not really worth listening to when compared to the rest of the recording.

This is simply an excellent introduction to the Blues. It is clear that Stevie Ray Vaughn was one of the best guitarists of his generation; his death is a clear tragedy. If you can find this CD, pick it up and give it a listening to. I wasn't disappointed, and I doubt you will be.

Rating

90/100

Reviewer

Justin Hardy

Published

February 26, 2004