The Jazz Channel Presents BB King DVD

At the time this concert was recorded, Blues Boy King was a mere 75, but the only way his age shows is that he sits down while playing. The notes he wrings from "Lucille", his gold-plated Gibson guitar, are as bittersweet as ever. The set opens with King delivering a gutsy version of the classic, "Let the Good Times Roll", backed by a swinging jazz-blues ensemble of horn section, guitar and drums. King slows down the tempo for "I'll Survive", which he sings with gravel and tears in his voice, the rapt audience responding to every nuance. The master of 12-bar blues,... who has influenced a whole generation of musicians (including Eric Clapton with whom he collaborated on the album Riding with the King), is also an ace entertainer. If you can bear to lose the sound for a moment, just watch his facial expressions and gestures: BB is at his best when he has an audience to respond to. Age hasn't tarnished any of his musical skill, either: just listen to the way he bends strings and vibrates notes on "The Thrill Has Gone". Vintage tracks such as "Ain't That Just Like Woman", are mingled with newer, poppier ones such as "Making Love Is Good For You", the title track from his latest album. As this is a live gig, BB chucks in a lot of humour which may not be to the blues purist's taste, but helps make this video a brilliant introduction to the music of a living legend. The end of the video features footage of King talking about how he got started, and how he's still a Mississippi boy. An hour of heaven with the granddaddy of the Blues. -- Lorna Read [show more]

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