Rare Freddie King live recording surfaces after 50 years

A previously unreleased live performance from Freddie King is set to receive a special vinyl release this spring. Feeling Alright: The Complete 1975 Nancy Jazz Pulsation Concerts will arrive exclusively for Record Store Day on April 18, 2026, via Elemental Music, as a limited-edition 3-LP set documenting King’s appearance before more than 50,000 fans in France in October 1975, during the final full year of his life.

Sourced from original ORTF broadcast recordings, the newly restored collection is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and captures King at a late-career peak. Known for his fierce guitar tone, expressive vocals, and ability to bridge traditional blues with rock energy, King helped reshape modern blues and influenced generations of players, including Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

The release was produced in cooperation with the Freddie King Estate by award-winning archivist Zev Feldman, with mixing and sound restoration by Marc Doutrepont and mastering by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab. CD and digital editions are scheduled to follow on April 24.

Across six sides of vinyl, the set features sixteen performances that span King’s signature instrumentals, blues standards, and crossover material. Highlights include “Sen-Sa-Shun,” paired with Magic Sam’s “Lookin’ Good,” and a powerful version of “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” segueing into B.B. King’s “Whole Lot of Lovin’.” King also delivers commanding readings of classics such as “Sweet Little Angel,” “Got My Mojo Working,” “The Things I Used to Do,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Messin’ with the Kid,” “Danger Zone,” and “Stormy Monday.”

Reflecting his growing connection to rock audiences, King’s set also includes Dave Mason’s “Feelin’ Alright” and Don Nix’s “Goin’ Down,” two staples of his live repertoire by the mid-1970s. Together, these performances confirm his ability to move seamlessly between blues tradition and modern rock sensibilities.

The performance captures what bandmate Lewis Stephens described as a “blistering” period during a five- to six-week European tour. By this point, King had established himself as a major blues-rock attraction on both sides of the Atlantic, blending Texas swing, Chicago blues, and his later rock-influenced work into a powerful, unified sound.

On the Nancy recording, King is joined by Alvin Hemphill (organ), Ed Lively (guitar), Lewis Stephens (piano), Benny Turner (bass), and Calep Emphrey (drums), forming a tight, energetic ensemble that supports his commanding stage presence.

The package includes liner notes by journalist and historian Cary Baker, along with reflections from Feldman, King’s daughter and estate administrator Wanda King, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. In his contribution, Gibbons recalls the intensity of the performance, writing that King “poured it on in a big way” during the show.

In his producer’s statement, Feldman said, “Freddie King is and remains a king indeed — a defining figure in blues and rock guitar. These recordings capture a moment when he was transcending audiences and influencing players around the world. It’s also been deeply meaningful to work with his daughter, Wanda King, as we set out not only to release this music, but to celebrate Freddie’s legacy and the impact he made. These performances present him at his very best — and they’re thrilling to hear.”

Feeling Alright: The Complete 1975 Nancy Jazz Pulsation Concerts offers fans and collectors a rare opportunity to experience one of blues’ most influential figures in full command of his powers, preserved in high-quality archival form more than fifty years after the original performance.