Albert King was one of the towering figures of electric blues, famous for his huge, expressive guitar sound, powerful vocals, and distinctive left-handed playing on a right-handed guitar strung upside down. Along with B.B. King and Freddie King, he formed the legendary trio often referred to as the “Three Kings of the Blues.”
“Crosscut Saw” became one of Albert King’s signature songs after he recorded it for his 1966 album Born Under a Bad Sign. His version transformed the older blues number into a tough, funky Memphis-style electric blues performance, with King’s enormous guitar bends and sharp, economical phrasing taking center stage.
“Crosscut Saw” — interesting points
- Artist: Albert King
- Album: Born Under a Bad Sign
- Released: 1967
- Songwriter: R.G. Ford
- Genre: Electric blues / Memphis blues / soul blues
- The song uses the crosscut saw as a playful metaphor for a powerful, demanding woman.
- King’s guitar tone is a major feature of the recording—thick, sustained and instantly recognizable.
- Albert King played a Gibson Flying V, which became strongly associated with his image and sound.
- His unusual upside-down guitar technique contributed to his distinctive approach to bends and vibrato.
- Born Under a Bad Sign was recorded with musicians from Stax Records’ celebrated house rhythm section, giving the album its characteristic Memphis soul feel.
- “Crosscut Saw” became one of the songs most closely identified with Albert King’s live performances and blues repertoire.
- The song has subsequently been recorded or performed by numerous blues and rock musicians.
Closing thought: “Crosscut Saw” is Albert King at his most direct—powerful vocals, a relentlessly funky rhythm and a guitar sound that seems almost larger than the song itself. It remains a terrific example of how King helped bridge traditional blues with the electric soul-blues sound of Memphis.