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.Title | Track.ArtistSort | Index | Album.Title | Album.ArtistSort | Label |
Never Make A Move Too Soon | B. B. King | 4 | King Of The Blues | B. B. King | MCA |
I'll Survive | B. B. King | 3 | Blues On The Bayou | B. B. King | MCA |
We're Gonna Make It | B. B. King and Irma Thomas | 10 | Blues Summit | B. B. King | MCA |
Yes Man | B. B. King | 8 | Here And There : Uncollected B. B. King | B. B. King | HIP-O |
Bob And B. | Robert Lockwood Jr. w. B. B. King | 13 | I Got To Find Me A Woman | Robert Lockwood Jr. | VERVE |
Praying Man | K. R. I. T. feat. B. B. King | 1 | Tales From The Underground | K. R. I. T. | |
You Upset Me Baby | B. B. King | 5 | King Of The Blues | B. B. King | MCA |
"BLUES IS KING" Bluesway lp | |||||
Waitin' On You | B. B. King | 1 | Great Moments With B. B. King | B. B. King | MCA |
Gambler's Blues | B. B. King | 2 | Great Moments With B. B. King | B. B. King | MCA |
Tired Of Your Jive | B. B. King | 3 | Great Moments With B. B. King | B. B. King | MCA |
Night Life | B. B. King | 4 | Great Moments With B. B. King | B. B. King | MCA |
Buzz Me | B. B. King | 5 | Great Moments With B. B. King | B. B. King | MCA |
Don't Answer The Door | B. B. King | 1 | Blues Is King | B. B. King | MCA |
Blind Love | B. B. King | 6 | Great Moments With B. B. King | B. B. King | MCA |
i know what you're puttin' down | B. B. King | 8 | blues is king | B. B. King | bluesway |
Baby Get Lost | B. B. King | 7 | Great Moments With B. B. King | B. B. King | MCA |
Gonna Keep On Loving You | B. B. King | 8 | Great Moments With B. B. King | B. B. King | MCA |
____________________ | |||||
Alexis' Boogie | B. B. King w. Alexis Korner & Duster Bennett | 1 | In London | B. B. King | BLUESWAY |
Why I Sing The Blues | B. B. King | 13 | The Vintage Years | B. B. King | ACE |
Everyday i have the blues | B. B. King | 6 | king of the blues | B. B. King | MCA |
Created: 17/09/2012 00:06:27
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