Albert King: Born Under A Bad Sign

[Dave]

Does anyone know where I can obtain a "good" digital copy of this album?
Jusy recieved an MFSL copy of this one and I can honestly say, and most of you know I'm quite the MFSL enthusiest, that this has to be the worst MFSL I've ever heard. http://ubb.fanasylum.com/smiles/angryfire.gif

[ED in NY]

Dave, this one confuses me. I think most people would agree that this is Albert King's most popular title relased in his lifetime, however other than the MOFI, BUABS has never been on CD to the best of my knowledge. All of the tracks were issued on an Atlantic CD called King Of The Blues Guitar that is far worse than the MOFI. I wonder if Fantasy even has the rights to this as BUABS was originally a Stax title ? They've released everything else he recorded for Stax on CD but not this one, and I wonder what MOFI used for masters as sonically it ain't so great ? BTW, I think Sundazed released an LP version of BUABS in 1998 but have never heard it. I don't think it could be any worse than the MOFI. I tried contacting Fantasy via email some months ago on this very issue but never got a response from them. Go figure...I guess for now we'll have to make do with the MOFI.

Happy Listening - ED

[Dave]

Ed your absolutely right about the MOFI being the best cd recording as I also have I'll Play The Blues For You on the Stax label and it sure isn't any better. Hopefully one day we'll be able to hear a much better remaster. Until then..... :(

[ED in NY]

Dave, I wish more blues titles got the audiophile treatment. There are some great titles out there that could really be improved upon. Probably so few have been done because they don't sell as well as more popular rock titles, even though MOFI's Folk Singer did real well sales wise and I personally loved what MOFI did with the Howlin' Wolf, John Mayall & BB King titles. Oh well, kind of hard to have an unbiased opinion when your a diehard blues lover.

Best Wishes-ED

[Unknown]

Ed and/or Dave, do you guys like Roy Buchanan?

[Dave]

Sorry Patrick I haven't had the pleasure yet.

[Evan]

I have seen BUABS on CD, both a German pressing and a Japanease pressing, here in Japan. If you would like a copy let me know and I will see if I can track a copy down for you. I will take any excuse to go CD hunting :D .

[Dave]

Evan so what's the damage usually on these two beauties over there and does anyone know if these 2 remasters are better than my current MFSL copy? Thanks

[ED in NY]

Patrick, no I don't like Roy Buchanan, I LOVE Roy Buchanan ! His first 2 albums are insane. There's a new biography that recently came out on him, that I asked Santa (my wife) for. Let's see if the North Pole came through for me. Here's another one to add to Ed & Patricks list of growing mutual favorites !

Happy Listening - ED

[Unknown]

Hey Ed, cool! I had a feeling he would be on your list. My first exposure to him was on the old "Night Flight" show in high school. They showed him playing "When A Guitar Plays the Blues" on this tele and it was WICKED the sounds he could coax out of that thing and a small amp. Around that same time, I read about RB in an interview with Satriani and Vai. Then I got the "When a Guitar..." CD cheap. Is "Buch and the Snake Stretchers" in print on CD?

If you get the bio, let us know what the deal is with his death. I heard second-hand that his wife said there is no way he committed suicide, more likely he was murdered. Any insight? Also, do you know when he was offered the Rolling Stones gig?

I'm betting you know about the Hellecasters, too, eh?

[ED in NY]

Hi Patrick ! Yeah "Buch and the Snake Stretchers" is in print on CD. If you go to CDnow's website they have soundclips for it. If (or should I say when) I get the new Roy bio I'll let you know what I think of it. I personally don't believe that he hung himself in a jail cell. The possibility that the police beat him to death and made it look like he hung himself in his jail cell is more likely to have happened but only a theory since it was never proven. As far as the Rolling Stones gig goes, I THINK it was as Mick Taylor's replacement, which ended up in the hands of Ronnie Wood. Can you just imagine Roy & Keith in the same band !Scary ! Oh yes, and the Hellecasters, the ultimate humbling listening experience for any guitar player. I love their stuff. Also essential is Jerry Donahue's 2 solo discs "Telecasting Recast" & "Neck Of The Wood". Jerry is just plain awesome. Always a pleasure talking guitar.

Happy Listening - ED

[lukpac]

As far as Fantasy goes, wasn't that album released before Stax split from Atlantic? If that were the case, Atlantic owns the album. Fantasy only has control over post-Atlantic material, which is essentially 1968-on.

[Unknown]

Re: The Hellecasters, I went on a little kick trying to pick up their solo albums. I got "Neck of the Wood," which I like pretty well, but I didn't like Will Ray's "Invisible Birds" much (sold it) and I *really* didn't care for Jorgenson's "Emotional Savant" (picked up for $0.99, sold it for profit).

BTW, I got to see Lonnie Mack live a few years back. I figured that was as close as I would ever get to SRV live.

[ December 24, 2001: Message edited by: Patrick M ]

[ED in NY]

Patrick, if you like Lonnie Mack, there is a UK Import CD on Ace called "Memphis Wham" that came out in 1999. This CD is absolutely essential. 24 tracks that will tell you why Stevie loved this guy. Check this CD out-I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

-ED

[ED in NY]

Well, Luke if thats the case I wish Atlantic/Rhino would get off their *** and reissue BUABS properly (unless of course the master is lost or been destroyed in a fire or some other natural disaster)in which case I'll hold on to my MOFI. And, while they are at it a remastered Charles Mingus Pithecanthropus Erectus would be nice too as it is the only Mingus title they haven't done. (End of mild rant :D)

-ED

[Craig]

Patrick and Ed,
Do either of you like Ronnie Earl? My favorite is Blues Guitar Virtuoso Live In Europe with the Broadcasters. I've personally talked four people into buying it while browsing in the blues section at various record stores. I like his studio stuff, but this live one is great.

Thanks for the Memphis Wham tip.

-Craig

[Unknown]

Originally posted by Craig:
Patrick and Ed,
Do either of you like Ronnie Earl? My favorite is Blues Guitar Virtuoso Live In Europe with the Broadcasters.

Not familiar with him, sorry to say.

I'm really not much of a blues guy, much more into fingerstyle guitar actually.

[ED in NY]

Hi Craig, yeah I really like Ronnie Earl. His live disc is definitely his best. I've got all of his solo CD's except for one OOP title I'm currently hunting for:Peace Of Mind on Black Top / Rounder. I've been really getting into "Healing Time" from last year lately. I love his version of "Thembi" by Pharoh Sanders. Yeah Ronnie's great. Also his version of King Curtis' "Soul Serenade" from "Still River" is just beautiful.

Happy Listening -ED

[J Epstein]

Answering a question from further up the thread:

Sundazed's LP reissue of Born Under A Bad Sign is absolutely fantastic. I was just listening to it the other day and I was extremely happy. Great music, great LP reissue. Bonus tracks and everything. Highly recommended.

-j

[lukpac]

Regarding the masters:

- Atlantic should have the stereo master tapes. Master tapes were stored in a different place than session tapes, and were not affected by the fire.

- Fantasy will probably have the 4-track session tapes, as Stax didn't send Atlantic those (and thus they didn't get lost in the fire) - only masters, and Fantasy took over all of that stuff when they bought Stax. That doesn't mean Fantasy can use that tape for a release of their own (without licensing it from Atlantic), but the tape *should* be there for any possible future use.

[ED in NY]

Well Luke, all I can say is hopefully someday we'll see this blues work of art get the proper release it really deserves. Thanks for the info. You always do a great job keeping us "educated" here on the board.

Best Wishes to you and yours this holiday season - ED

[Cousin It]

Re: Lonnie Mack
He's selling some pretty exclusive stuff on his website,2CD set of his Fraternity stuff,his Elektra stuff etc...
http://www.lonniemack.com/

re:Roy Buchanan
There's a disc out there on Rollercoaster Records,it has stuff pre-Polydor on it,for Buchanan fans it's essential.It has some of his session work on the Swan label and live stuff.

RCCD 3034
ROY BUCHANAN

BEFORE AND AFTER

Roy Buchanan was something of an enigma to fans and friends alike, but this album reveals all sides of his musical personality while providing an entertaining illustration of his genius. Along with Roy’s own performances there are recordings of other artists featuring stunning solos and backups from the man himself. Lovingly annotated by Ellwood Brown, a long-time associate and close friend of Roy Buchanan.

Mule Train Stomp; Pretty Please;How Important Can It Be; Twin Exhaust; Hot toddy; Am I the one; Ruby Baby; Shake The Hand Of A Fool; Twist medley: (The Twist; Mother’s Club Twist);When The Saints Go Twistin’ In; I Found You; Rambunctious; Malaguena; After Hours; Let’s Twist Again; Peter Gunn; Park Boulevard Blues; Chowbay; Peace Cross; My Baby Is Sweeter; Minor Changes; Custom Made; My Baby Is Sweeter

I think Roy Buchanan was the most soulful guitarist to ever pick a Tele.
His musical epitaph will be the beautiful
"The Messiah Will Come Again".
Get the book American Axe,it's a superb read.

[Evan]

Originally posted by Dave:
Evan so what's the damage usually on these two beauties over there and does anyone know if these 2 remasters are better than my current MFSL copy? Thanks
CDs generally go for about 3000 Yen or 30 to 22 dollars, depending on the exchange rate. I do not know if the discs I saw are better sounding than the MFSL, but it is possible, if they used a safety that was not damaged like the master tape, or they found the “real master” tape. Only one way to find out for sure. Let me know.

Evan

[Dave]

Thanks very much Evan. I'll keep it & you in mind after my wallet recovers from the Christmas/2001 pummeling it took. :D

[David Powell]

Sundazed has released an excellent 180-gram LP version of Albert King's "Born Under A Bad Sign." In addition to the original album's songs it contains two rare singles as a bonus. Great sound, especially considering it's $12.98 price.