Alvin K. Smith (August 8, 1923 – January 21, 1999), who performed and recorded as Al King, was an American blues singer and songwriter. He released singles with regular intervals from 1951 until 1970.
King was born in Monroe, Louisiana, by 1947 he was in Los Angeles after doing his bit for uncle Sam in WWII. He was swept up in the post war R&B boom and first recorded for DJ John Dolphins label in 1951 after which he recorded as Alvin Smith and Al Smith in 1954 and 1955 on the Music City and Combo labels. From 1957 to 1965 he moved from label to label including Irma (1957), Christ (1958) Gejdenson’s (1961), Phillips VCP, Push & Art-Tone (1962) then Triad (1964). After moving to Los Angeles he recorded for the the Shirley record label and delivered superb West Coast blues illuminated by the guitar of Johnny Heartsman as "Reconsider baby" and "Lingerin' love".
He also wrote songs under his real name, Smith, as in "On My Way", the B-side of his first single covering "Reconsider Baby" in 1964. In 1965 after trying to create his own label Flag , he then continued within the Sahara label with "My money ain't long enough", "Everybody ain't your friend", "Playing on me", "Get lost". He had a number 36 US Billboard R&B chart hit in 1966 with "Think Twice Before You Speak".
After the beautiful productions for the Shirley and Sahara labels, Al King worked for the Bihari brothers and their Kent and Modern labels between 1968 and 1969. His superb voice is well surrounded with excellent sidemen like Arthur Adams, Big Jay Mac Neely and Maxwell Davis (who arranges the sessions). His only Flag single was re-issued on the Sue label in the UK in 1968 and is now sought after by record collectors.
His last two singles were “I Can’t Understand” and “Nosey Neighbors” for Ronn Records in 1970. Being fed up with the record industry, the man who was regarded as the “Father of the West Coast Blues” vowed never to record again, and for many years played in neighborhood clubs in Oakland, California. But the blues had stayed with Al, as he continued to write and perform and finally released his own album “It’s Rough Out Here” in 1998, consisting of 10 new blues tracks, backed up by a group of young musicians known as the Sugarbees. Sadly King suddenly died in Oakland, California in January 1999 at the age of 75.
(Edited from Wikipedia, Blues Sessions & Ace liner notes)
4 comments:
For the Three Albums below go here:
https://pixeldrain.com/u/4XjCWooA
Al King – Blues Master: The Complete Sahara & Shirley Recordings (1996 Forevermore) (@192)
1 On My Way
2 Reconsider Baby
3 Shimmy & Shake
4 Lingerin' Love
5 Think Twice Before You Speak
6 The Winner
7 My Money Ain't Long Enough
8 Blue Shadows
9 This Thing Called Love
10 Everybody Ain't Your Friend
11 Christmas Is Gone
12 Peace And Understanding
13 Don't Put Off For Tomorrow
14 Playing On Me
15 Get Lost
Recorded between 1964 - 1968
Al King & Arthur K Adams – Together (The Complete Kent And Modern Recordings) (2010 Ace) (@ 192)
1 Al King– My Name Is Misery
2 Al King– Ain't Givin' Up Nothin'
3 Al King– Better To Be By Myself
4 Al King– Its' Getting Late
5 Al King– The Thrill Is Gone
6 Al King– Bad Understanding
7 Al King– The World Needs Love
8 Al King– Lovin' You
9 Al King– I Still Care For You
10 Al King– Get Lost
11 Al King– Without A Warning
12 Al King– Maybe My Last Song
13 Arthur K Adams – She Drives Me Out Of My Mind
14 Arthur K Adams – Gimme Some Of Your Lovin'
15 Arthur K Adams – I Need You
16 Arthur K Adams – I'm Lonely For You
17 Arthur K Adams – Let Your Hair Down
18 Arthur K Adams – You Make Me Cry
19 Arthur K Adams & Edna Wright– Let's Get Together
20 Arthur & Mary– I Need You
21 Arthur K Adams– Is That You
“Together” contains at least one version of every track that the two recorded for Kent-Modern between 1966 and 1969. Although Arthur’s tracks lean more towards soul than those of his CD mate, there is synergy between the two groups of recordings, in that Adams is also the lead guitarist on most if not all of the Al King sides. Al’s sides include the classic ‘My Name Is Misery’, its even better sequel ‘Get Lost’ and a slew of fine tracks that showcase his Percy Mayfield-influenced lyrics and delivery – many appearing in stereo for the first time ever.
It’s a shame that Al’s and Arthur’s singles for Kent and Modern didn’t meet with the sales that they deserved at the time. That they didn’t is not due to the quality of repertoire or performance, which is first rate in every instance, as you’ll hear yourself. (Ace notes)
Al King – It's Rough Out Here (1998 Forevermore) (@320)
1 It's Rough Out Here 4:54
2 Ain't Giving Up Nothing 3:12
3 Peoples In The Graveyard 5:00
4 Don't Throw Rocks 4:03
5 Sweet Jimmy's Place 2:55
6 You Can't Trust Nobody 4:59
7 My Baby Loves Playing Bingo 5:23
8 Better To Be By Yourself 3:41
9 (I'm A) Lazy Man 5:17
10 Tomorrow Ain't Promise To You 4:41
Thanks
Thanks for this post. I saw Al King performing way back on the West Coast with the great Johnny Heartsman on guitar. It gave me the idea to try to make a "complete recordings" post about this very fine and most underrated artist. I guess I will post it on my Blue Eye blog one of these days. But meanwhile, here is the "complete recordings in chronological order" minus two very rare tracks that I can't find at all, none of my blues friends around the world seeming to have it. Enjoy
https://mega.nz/file/zyxUHaAa#WWYSimK9vGJu42Le0iYyIoTK_M_6bqw54YT3PdfZEYU
Wow! Thank you so much for this unexpected preview compilation Gerard. The only resources I have is whatever is available on the web via blogs, groups and forums and of course the odd contribution by commenters especially your good self. Regards and Kudos from Bob.
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