Texas Oil: Federal Recording 1960-1962 – Freddie King

Freddie King’s Texas Oil: Federal Recordings 1960–1962 gathers the electrifying Federal sides that cemented his legend at the dawn of the 1960s. Across instrumentals and vocal cuts alike, his stinging leads, nimble hooks, and economy of phrasing showcase a guitarist and bandleader who could be both dance-floor ready and devastatingly expressive. It’s a snapshot of the fertile Cincinnati and Chicago sessions that produced enduring staples while capturing the raw spark of a Texas player shaping modern electric blues in real time.

Sequenced from prime singles and B-sides, the set highlights signature moments such as “Hide Away,” “San-Ho-Zay,” “The Stumble,” and “I’m Tore Down,” balancing taut shuffle grooves with soulful vocals and Sonny Thompson’s slick arrangements. For collectors and new listeners, it functions as a definitive doorway into King’s foundational era—where concise riffs, crisp tone, and unshowy virtuosity laid a blueprint that British and American players would chase for decades.

Reviews:
“Texas-based blues guitarist whose clean picking style and tuneful instrumentals made him a star in the 1960s and ’70s.” – AllMusic

“Nicknamed “The Texas Cannonball” for his imposing build and incendiary live shows, King had a unique guitar attack.” – Rolling Stone

“Though unrelated-by-blood, Freddie King, BB King and Albert King were known as the ‘Three Kings of the Blues Guitar’, amping up their instruments and thus playing louder and harder than the generations before.” – NME