King King (album)

For the British blues band, see King King (band).
King King
Live album by
the Red Devils
ReleasedJuly 28, 1992 (1992-07-28)
Recorded1991
VenueKing King Club, Los Angeles[1]
GenreBlues rock
Length59:04
LabelDef American
ProducerRick Rubin

King King is the debut album by the blues-rock band the Red Devils. It was recorded live at King King Club in Los Angeles[1] during three or four of their regular Monday-night performances in 1991.[2]

The album captures the immediacy and informality of a small club performance.[3] It features the band's interpretation of blues songs originally recorded by Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon as well as some band originals. King King was produced by Rick Rubin.[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]

King King was released in July 1992 and a review in USA Today called it "the year's most electrifying live album, a stunning debut".[5] According to the Los Angeles Times, "King King is a 12-song live recording that captures the band in fine, aggressive form at the La Brea Avenue club".[6] The Baltimore Sun noted that "the group avoids the sort of overplaying that usually undoes white blues bands, leaving the sound lean, mean and utterly believable."[7] The Toronto Star called the album "a heap of unremarkable originals and tepid blues covers, recorded live in such poor quality, an audience member holding a cassette recorder couldn't have done worse."[8]

AllMusic's gave the album a three out of five star rating, calling it a mix of straight-ahead blues and singer/harmonica player Lester Butler's later alternative rock.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Automatic"Willie Love3:26
2."Goin' to the Church"Lester Butler4:07
3."She's Dangerous"Willie Dixon5:02
4."I Wish You Would"Billy Boy Arnold3:01
5."Cross Your Heart"Rice Miller a.k.a. Sonny Boy Williamson II4:28
6."Tail Dragger"Dixon[9]5:24
7."Devil Woman"The Red Devils6:57
8."No Fightin'"Butler5:56
9."Mr. Highway Man"Chester Burnett a.k.a. Howlin' Wolf3:35
10."I'm Ready"Dixon[10]3:46
11."Quarter to Twelve"Marion Jacobs a.k.a. Little Walter7:03
12."Cut That Out"Junior Wells[11]4:59
Total length:59:04

Personnel

The Red Devils
  • Lester Butler – vocals, harmonica
  • Paul "The Kid" Size – lead guitar
  • Dave Lee Bartel – rhythm guitar
  • Johnny Ray Bartel – bass
  • Bill Bateman – drums

References

  1. ^ a b In 1991–1992, King King was on the corner of 6th Street and La Brea Avenue, normally considered in the Mid-Wilshire district, not Hollywood as it is described in some reviews.
  2. ^ Leroy, Dan (2007). The Greatest Music Never Sold: Secrets of Legendary Lost Albums by David Bowie, Seal, Beastie Boys, Chicago, Mick Jagger, and More!. Backbeat Books. pp. 117–44. ISBN 978-0-87930-905-3.
  3. ^ a b Ham, Char. "King King – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  4. ^ "King King by the Red Devils". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 32. Aug 8, 1992. p. 50.
  5. ^ Gundersen, Edna (October 28, 1992). "Red Devils Live Album Blasts Raw, Rootsy Blues". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  6. ^ Appleford, Steve (August 23, 1992). "Red Devils' Rowdy Gigs Lure Some Famous Fans". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  7. ^ Considine, J. D. (Aug 21, 1992). "King King The Red Devils". Features. The Baltimore Sun. p. 5.
  8. ^ Howell, Peter (Jan 30, 1993). "Disc matchup". Toronto Star. p. G12.
  9. ^ Lyrics by Lester Butler
  10. ^ Using music by James Moore a.k.a. Slim Harpo
  11. ^ John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson I recorded "Better Cut That Out" in 1947.