Albert King - Live Wire/Blues Power

The album was recorded live at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco in 1968. This venue was a famous hub for the counterculture movement and psychedelic rock during that era. It captured King crossing over to a broader rock audience.

Albert King played a right-handed Gibson Flying V guitar flipped upside down for his left-handed playing style. He famously did not restring it, which heavily influenced his unique string-bending technique. The guitar was affectionately named "Lucy."

The album features iconic extended jams of his biggest hits, including a searing version of "Personal Manager." It also features his classic blues standard "Watermelon Man" and the instrumental "As the Years Go Passing By." The tracks highlight his incredibly raw tone.

Yes, he was backed by a full electric blues band that included horn players and a rhythm section. The band helped drive the energetic, raw power that defines the live recording. The tight horn arrangements give it a distinct soul-blues feel.