Sunday 16 September 2012

Celebrating B B King's 87th Birthday, STAR BLUES on 16th September 2012 at 22:00

B. B. King has never liked the description "King of the Blues" but at least don't think he's of Irish descent. The day he was born, his father's plantation owner Jim O'Reilly was on hand instead of the midwife and Albert Lee King was all for naming his new son O'Reilly in gratitiude - Riley was chosen as the boy didn't look Irish. King's autobiography has several other stories which add colour to an already colouful life: he celebrated his 87th birthday yesterday (16th September) and STAR BLUES dipped into his career for some well-known stuff, some rarities, a live gem and his most recent foray into the studio to help Justin Scott create a debut album.

That one has a song called "Praying Man" about a pair of escaping slaves, one voiced by K.R.I.T. (because thats who Scott records by) the other by our hero undderpinned with a very muted Lucille. With no blues content, the track won't feature in our hallowed halls again but it is a perfect example of how B B King spreads his brand to a new generation. I blame U2 for making him into "isn't he the guy who played with ..." instead of "the genius who created a unique sound". We did have other collaborations in last night's STAR BLUES but we stuck to established blues names like Irma Thomas and Robert Lockwood Jr.

Around 2000, Sid Seidenberg moved aside from managing King and this hasn't been a great period for his fans: just two lacklustre studio efforts ("Reflections" in 2002 and "One Kind Favor" in 2008) and armfuls of poor live albums where he goes through the motions, if you're lucky. This years disc of the 2011 "star-studded" (ahem, steady) Royal Albert Hall gig was a real lowpoint which cast him as ringmaster in a freak circus. To set the record straight, STAR BLUES devoted over an hour to the whole of the album "Blues Is King". It was recorded live at the International Club in Chicago on 5th November 1966 and it found him at his purest, most raw and primeval. Newly divorced and buffeted by life's cruelties he was a long way from the good natured avuncular old gentleman he is portrayed today. He almost shouts the lyrics, he doesn't fuss with banter between songs - the pain is heard in Lucille's brutal tone. Many folks judge his "Live at the Regal" as the greatest live blues album of all time - not so, you heard it last night on STAR BLUES. There's a further track "Goin Down Slow" from the gig which will get an outing on next weeks STAR BLUES.

A 1971 moment playing acoustic guitar with Alexis Korner and Duster Bennett, was - as far as I can tell - the only time B recorded using the instrument. (There is a snippet of another song on the interactive cd-rom put oout in 1994, but it isn't easy to locate in the set of random performances). Time beat us last night, I had planned his accompaniment on Otis Spann's "Five Spot" for the piano feature and his early version of "Save A seat For Me" in the gospel spot. Saved for later.

In the week leading up to the show, I teased some trivia every day: here are the answers.

* Three cartoon characters who made albums asked BB King to guest.
   a) charlie brown - track called "joe cool"
   b) garfield - on "monday morning blues"
  c) the simpsons - for "born under a bad sign"

* His character in Blues Brothers20000 was Melvin Gasperone (a petrol pump attendant)

* He hosted a radio show on KDIA and he wrote and sung a jingle to advertise the Pepticon drink.

* His first job was as tractor driver which lasted until he parked it afterwork but forgot to put the handbrake on. Later he came back to the farm to pay for the damage in full.
 

I can't count the number of pleasures to be found in B. B. Kings work, I hope our STAR BLUES reminded you of a few that are sometimes overloooked. God willing, I'll be back on Sunday at 10pm with another grab-bag of trivia, tomfoolery and yet to be discovered blues gems. Until then take care of yourselves and take care of those that take care of you

Track.TitleTrack.ArtistSortIndexAlbum.TitleAlbum.ArtistSortLabel
Never Make A Move Too SoonB. B. King4King Of The BluesB. B. KingMCA
I'll SurviveB. B. King3Blues On The BayouB. B. KingMCA
We're Gonna Make ItB. B. King and Irma Thomas10Blues SummitB. B. KingMCA
Yes ManB. B. King8Here And There : Uncollected B. B. KingB. B. KingHIP-O
Bob And B.Robert Lockwood Jr. w. B. B. King13I Got To Find Me A WomanRobert Lockwood Jr.VERVE
Praying ManK. R. I. T. feat. B. B. King1Tales From The UndergroundK. R. I. T.
You Upset Me BabyB. B. King5King Of The BluesB. B. KingMCA
"BLUES IS KING" Bluesway lp
Waitin' On YouB. B. King1Great Moments With B. B. KingB. B. KingMCA
Gambler's BluesB. B. King2Great Moments With B. B. KingB. B. KingMCA
Tired Of Your JiveB. B. King3Great Moments With B. B. KingB. B. KingMCA
Night LifeB. B. King4Great Moments With B. B. KingB. B. KingMCA
Buzz MeB. B. King5Great Moments With B. B. KingB. B. KingMCA
Don't Answer The DoorB. B. King1Blues Is KingB. B. KingMCA
Blind LoveB. B. King6Great Moments With B. B. KingB. B. KingMCA
i know what you're puttin' downB. B. King8blues is kingB. B. Kingbluesway
Baby Get LostB. B. King7Great Moments With B. B. KingB. B. KingMCA
Gonna Keep On Loving YouB. B. King8Great Moments With B. B. KingB. B. KingMCA
____________________
Alexis' BoogieB. B. King w. Alexis Korner & Duster Bennett1In LondonB. B. KingBLUESWAY




Why I Sing The BluesB. B. King13The Vintage YearsB. B. KingACE
Everyday i have the bluesB. B. King6king of the bluesB. B. KingMCA

Created: 17/09/2012 00:06:27

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