In December 1983, a massive 60-year-old man with a Gibson Flying V sat across from a 29-year-old kid in a poncho. It happened in a TV studio in Hamilton, Ontario. It wasn't fancy. It wasn't a sold-out arena. But what went down that night between Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan became the stuff of guitar legend.
The albert king in session with stevie ray vaughan song list is more than just a tracklist. It’s a literal passing of the torch. Stevie was just exploding onto the scene with Texas Flood, and Albert was the "Velvet Bulldozer," a guy who didn’t suffer fools. Initially, King didn't even realize who he was playing with. He just knew some "hot shot" was coming in. Once he realized it was "Little Stevie" from Austin—the kid who used to hang around his shows—the vibe changed. It became a masterclass.
The Full Breakdown of the In Session Tracklist
Honestly, most people only know the big hits from this recording, but the 1999 release and the later 2024 Deluxe Edition gave us the full picture. The original CD was great, but the DVD and the newer 3-LP sets are where you get the "unreleased" gems that were originally cut for time.
Here is what the standard albert king in session with stevie ray vaughan song list looks like on the classic release:
- Call It Stormy Monday (9:00) – They start slow. Feeling each other out.
- Old Times (1:15) – This isn't a song; it's the first of those legendary "talk" tracks. Albert reminisces about Stevie as a kid.
- Pride and Joy (5:58) – Stevie’s big hit. Albert calls it "that fast thing of yours with the heck of a groove."
- Ask Me No Questions (5:03) – A B.B. King cover. It’s funky.
- Pep Talk (0:52) – More banter. You can hear Stevie’s nerves and respect.
- Blues at Sunrise (15:10) – The epic. Fifteen minutes of slow-burn blues.
- Turn It Over (0:51) – Band chatter.
- Overall Junction (8:20) – An Albert King instrumental. Pure fire.
- Match Box Blues (7:39) – A classic Albert staple.
- Who Is Stevie? (0:43) – Albert basically telling the audience this kid is the real deal.
- Don't Lie to Me (8:57) – They close it out with a heavy, shuffling groove.
The "Hidden" Tracks You Might Be Missing
If you only have the 1999 CD, you're actually missing some of the best moments. In 2010, the DVD release added three massive tracks that weren't on the original audio. Then, in 2024, Craft Recordings released the Deluxe Edition which finally put these on vinyl and digital.
- Born Under a Bad Sign – This is Albert's signature song. Seeing SRV play those iconic licks while the man who wrote them watches is chilling.
- Texas Flood – Stevie’s anthem. Albert jumps in and shows how he influenced that entire Texas sound.
- I’m Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town – A long, slow-burning jam that showcases the chemistry of the backing band.
Speaking of the band, they don't get enough credit. It wasn't Double Trouble. It was Albert’s touring band: Tony Llorens on keys, Gus Thornton on bass, and Michael Llorens on drums. They were tight. They had to be to keep up with two guys who were basically speaking a secret language through their fretboards.
Why This Specific Setlist Matters
Most jam sessions feel messy. This one feels like a conversation. You've got Albert King, who played his guitar upside down and backwards, creating these massive, stinging bends. Then you've got Stevie, who took those exact licks and sped them up with a heavy Texas shuffle.
There’s a moment in "Blues at Sunrise" where Stevie starts to really "go for it." You can see Albert lean back, almost surprised. He tells Stevie at one point that "lots of people can play fast, but few have soul." It's pretty clear he thought Stevie had both.
Fact vs. Myth: What really happened?
There's a common story that Albert was grumpy and didn't want to do the show. Kinda true. He was skeptical of the "new kid." But the recording shows a lot of warmth. In the "Pep Talk" segment, Albert is literally coaching him. He’s telling him to keep his head on straight despite the fame.
Also, despite how it looks on film, this wasn't a concert. It was a TV taping for a show called In Session on CHCH-TV. There were cameras everywhere, and the "audience" was mostly crew and a few lucky locals. That’s why the sound is so clean—it’s essentially a studio live recording.
Actionable Tips for Collectors
If you're looking to actually own this, don't just grab the first version you see on a streaming app.
- Go for the 2024 Deluxe Edition: It’s the first time the "missing" tracks like Born Under a Bad Sign and Texas Flood are properly integrated into the flow of the album.
- Watch the DVD: You have to see their hands. Albert’s thumb-over-the-neck style vs. Stevie’s heavy-gauge string attack is a lesson in itself.
- Listen to the "Talk" Tracks: Don't skip them. The dialogue between the songs is where the "E-E-A-T" (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) of the blues is actually handed down.
The albert king in session with stevie ray vaughan song list represents a specific moment in time—December 6, 1983—that can never be repeated. Both men are gone now. Stevie died in 1990, and Albert followed in 1992. This 90-minute window is the only professional footage we have of them together.
To get the most out of your listening experience, start with the slow blues of Call It Stormy Monday to hear them warming up, then jump straight into the 15-minute Blues at Sunrise. It's the peak of the session. If you're a guitar player, pay attention to the key changes; Albert often forced Stevie to play in "Albert's keys," which were a bit unconventional, forcing Stevie to adapt on the fly. That’s where the real magic is.
