The Session Of A Lifetime

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Live albums are a dime a dozen. There are hundreds you can consider the greatest live album of all time. Some may say The Allman Brothers Live At The Filmore the greatest. Or how about Peter Framptons Frampton Comes Alive. Or Humble Pies Rockin The Filmore. I can go on and on about great live albums. But nothing in my mind compares to what Stevie Ray Vaughn and Albert King accomplished on In Session. First when I heard the album I just couldn't stop listening. The guitar work between these two greats are extraordinary. They go back and forth trading licks like nobody's business. The best thing about it though is that they seem to be more having fun than trying to one up each other or sale records. The album was recorded in 1983 and wasn't even released untill 1999. The banter between songs is just great to listen to and you can feel the respect between both guitarists, Albert being the old school blues guitar killer and Stevie being humbled by his presence being the for runner in bringing back the blues. Saving it with an iron fist.

As soon as (Call It) Stormy Monday hits you straight in the face on the first track you can tell these two musicians are not gonna let up. They are gonna give it their all and go full force. This song has been covered thousands of times. Allman Brothers, Van Morriosn, BB King, etc. Has all done their own version of this song. Some were as short as 3 mins long and others lasted over 10. Albert's voice shines in this song, hes done it before on albums by himself but now he has the help of a young Stevie to back up and take care of the solos where he bends strings and minds. Some may say T Bone Walker who was the man who wrote it done it the best and it cant be topped but they either topped it on this one or came damn close.


Next it comes in Pride And Joy. One of Stevies best known songs and you can tell why after hearing the opening guitar licks, then hearing Alberts twang snap right into the mix. Its beautiful and amazing how these two guys so different in age can mix so well together musically. Later you can hear pianos chiming in to give it that upbeat sound, its done so well and I can listen to this song over and over and never get sick of it.

Next up is a BB King classic that Albert once record himself years and years before. Ask Me No Questions is a rip roaring upbeat blues song that is peppered with solos traded back and forth from both King and Stevie. Right after its done Two of Alberts own songs are showcased, Blues At Sunrise and Overall Junction. Blues At Sunrise is a slow blues song that catches your ear and never lets go. Similar to a classic BB King song with a one two punch that knocks you on your feet. Where on the other hand Overall Junction comes with with a killer piano solo and bass line that is jumping like that heard in a old blues joint. Its a killer instrumental from what some may consider two of the greatest electric blues guitarist of all time. How can it get any better than that. It just grows and grows and gets faster and faster as the song progresses.

Matchbox Blues cuts in next. The classic blues standard from Blind Lemon Jefferson cant be denied. Albert sings it with perfectly and Stevies guitar knocks it out of the ballpark going back and forth between Alberts voice and Stevies guitar.

This album is a classic and thank god it got released after 16 years. Two amazingly gifted guitarists get together one night in Canada. Put on a show for whoever was a spectator that night and years later released what I consider the greatest blues live album if not greatest live album ever. Stevie Ray Vaughn died in a plane crash on August 27, 1990 way before his time. Albert King died December 21, 1992  from a fatal heart attack. Fortunately somebody had the sense of mind to get these two musicians together and make a great album and for that I thank them.