Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan: In Session

Blues Royalty United: Albert King & Stevie Ray Vaughan's "In Session" - Analogue Productions Pressing

A Historic Meeting of Guitar Titans
Some musical pairings seem destined by the blues gods themselves. Such is the case with "In Session," the legendary 1983 recording that captured the magical interplay between blues patriarch Albert King and his spiritual heir, Stevie Ray Vaughan. This summit meeting of guitar virtuosos stands as an unparalleled document of cross-generational blues mastery—King, then 60, embodying the raw essence of traditional electric blues, and Vaughan, just 29, representing its fiery future.

The backstory adds another layer of charm to this recording. Initially, King reportedly declined the invitation, claiming unfamiliarity with Vaughan. The delicious irony emerged when King realized this was the same "little Stevie"—the "skinny kid" he had allowed to sit in during his Texas performances years earlier. Once this connection clicked, the elder bluesman enthusiastically agreed to the session.
The Recording: Capturing Lightning

Captured at CHCH-TV studios in Hamilton, Ontario, "In Session" transcends typical live television recordings. Unlike many broadcast performances that prioritize technical reliability over sonic excellence, this session was produced with an eventual album release in mind. This foresight meant proper recording equipment and techniques were employed, resulting in exceptional audio quality for a live performance.
The chemistry between these two masters elevates the recording beyond mere technical excellence. Between blistering guitar workouts, the casual, sometimes humorous dialogue between King and Vaughan provides intimate glimpses into their mutual respect and shared musical language. These conversational interludes are worth the price of admission alone, offering historical context and personal insights rarely captured in studio recordings.

The Analogue Productions Pressing: Definitive Vinyl Treatment
With vinyl's renaissance in full swing, Analogue Productions' reissue of "In Session" represents the definitive way to experience this historic meeting. Despite the recording's digital origins (given its 1983 vintage), Analogue Productions' meticulous mastering approach has yielded a pressing that extracts every ounce of warmth and presence from the source material.

The sonic presentation places both guitarists exactly where they belong—front and center in the soundstage, with remarkable clarity that reveals the nuanced differences in their playing styles. King's stinging, economical phrases contrast beautifully with Vaughan's more exuberant technical flourishes, with each note rendered with striking presence. Vocal performances emerge with remarkable clarity, while the rhythm section provides a solid foundation without overwhelming the featured instruments.

Most importantly, this pressing captures the visceral energy of being in the room during this historic session. The dynamic interplay between quiet passages and explosive guitar peaks unfolds with natural ease, conveying the live atmosphere without the compressed flatness that plagues lesser live recordings.
When compared directly to the 2009 Stax Records release, the Analogue Productions pressing reveals its superiority through enhanced soundstage depth and instrumental separation. Individual elements maintain their distinct character while cohering into an organic whole—a hallmark of truly exceptional mastering and pressing quality.

A significant bonus: this release includes additional tracks missing from earlier CD versions (including the essential "Born Under a Bad Sign"), making it the most complete vinyl document of this historic meeting available. One thing to note before making an investment in this Analogue Productions release is that the Craft Recordings 2024 release of "In Session" includes SRV's song "Texas Flood", which is missing from this release.

The Vinyl Verdict: Essential Blues Vinyl
For blues aficionados and serious vinyl collectors alike, the Analogue Productions pressing of "In Session" represents an essential acquisition. It stands as both a historical document of two blues giants at the height of their powers and an audiophile-grade pressing that reveals new details with each listening session.
While digital formats offer convenience, they simply cannot replicate the dimensional quality and emotional impact of this exceptional vinyl release. For those seeking to experience the closest thing to being in that Canadian television studio on that fateful day in 1983, this pressing delivers in spades.

In the vast landscape of blues recordings, "In Session" occupies rarefied air—a genuine moment of musical history captured with exceptional fidelity and pressed with the care it deserves. No serious blues collection is complete without it.💰

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