Little Freddie King
Live at BJ's Lounge
****and1/2 out of *****
The (just turned) 86-year-old blues legend Little Freddie King fell in love with New Orleans and moved there when he was a young teen. Cousin of Lightnin' Hopkins, Kings connection to the blues runs as deep as possible and for his career (which is still ongoing) LFK called the Bywater establishment BJ's Lounge home, playing there as often as he could over the past thirty years. Now comes his definitive live record, the double album Live at BJ's Lounge and it is the best he has ever sounded anywhere.
Captured over various shows/years in his comfortable surroundings, King and company get loose, shake'm on down and deliver his unique style of blues in commanding fashion. Playing with his long-time backing band of “Wacko” Wade Wright – drums, Robert Louis Di Tuillo Jr. – harmonica and Robert Snow Sr. – electric bass, the quartet kick things off with the quick instrumental "Swamp Boogie" as Wright's drums and Snow's bass lead the energetic charge.
"Can't Do Nothing Babe" slows it down and lets Little Freddie luxuriate in the blues, never in a hurry, he sings confidently and plays guitar in his own style. King still has some tiger in the tank, and it shows during "Pocket Full of Money" as he drops inuendo's while getting sexy, swaggering in front of the light backing stomp. Di Tuillo Jr. jumps to the forefront on "Humming Bee" making his harmonica sound like the title insect on a long-distance call.
King is no slouch on the guitar as "Bus Station Blues" finds him supporting his heartbroken lyrics with some excellent six string work. The bass groove of "Going Down To Louisiana" and the drumming of "Baby, Scratch My Back" are highlights while "Crackhead Joe", one of King's signature tunes, is a fun romp.
Guest Washboard Chaz joins the quartet for "Run Here Baby, Run" which rolls along like a locomotive. Di Tuillo Jr.'s harmonica drops some excellent lines on "My Girl Josephine" before dueling with King on the propulsive workout "Chicken Dance". The production and sound quality from these various shows is perfect, placing the listener directly in the '9th Ward living room'.
Digging into the past for a few classics, "Smokestack Lighting" is serviceable, but much better is the groups rendition of John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Children". This album highlight finds LFK in top form on guitar with an extended jam that could go all night.
Hooker is the clear inspiration for King, but the New Orleans twisted gutbucket blues brings in all sounds, such as on the fiery, extended album closing "Louisiana Train Wreck". The spruced up number finds King dropping James Brown lines from "Licking Stick" and "Sex Machine" to enliven up the never-ending party.
Live at BJ's Lounge is a must own for any fan of the blues. The excellent recording transports the listener to the cramped, sweaty club at 4301 Burgundy St in New Orleans as Little Freddie King and company deliver hypnotic blues efforts while at the top of their game.
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