B.B. King, post 1960s

[Dan Gould]

I'm thinking specifically about the 70s-80s recordings (Blues Summit and Blues on the Bayou, among others, marked a strong return to form in the 90s, imo).

What are the best of that era? Any comments on To Know You Is To Love You or Indianola Mississippi Seeds, the former features Stevie Wonder and the latter includes Carole King?

I've recently acquired the Bobby Bland collaborations ( ) and of course we all know about Live at Cook County Jail. How about the Live in London set, which AMG suggests is a misconceived meeting of rock stars and blues royalty? And what about the collaborations with the Crusaders?

I've just about exhausted the Modern/RPM/Kent/Crown stuff and am trying to pick my way through the post-Bluesway era, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Edited April 16, 2006 by Dan Gould

[Dan Gould]

Anyone?

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

The B B King album I like best is "There must be a better world somewhere", which he recorded in 1981 for MCA.

Most of the songs were written by Doc Pomus and Dr John. The band is incredible. Dr John ran the rhythm section, which included Bernard Purdie, Wilbur Bascomb and Hugh McCracken. Hank Crawford ran the horn section, which included David Newman, Ronnie Cuber, Tom Malone, Waymon Reed and Charlie Miller. The solos from Crawford and Newman are among the best they ever recorded.

It's not just the band, however. The songs are great! "Born again human" is one of the most moving performances I've ever heard. And B B is on top form throughout.

I'd recommend this for anyone who likes B B King - and for anyone who likes music that really DOES something to you.

MG

[JSngry]

And what about the collaborations with the Crusaders?

Don't have it, but I've heard it more than a few times and I like it just fine.

[Stereojack]

I really like "Live at the Apollo" from 1990 a lot, BB with big band backing from the Philip Morris Superband. For the most part, when it comes to the post-Kent material, the live albums are best. I assume you already know about "Live at the Regal" and "Blues Is King".

I bought all of the albums he made in the late 60's and early 70's after seeing him live for the first time around 1969, including "Live & Well", "Completely Well", "Indianola Mississippi Seeds". While each of these has its moments, ultimately I think as whole albums they are weak at best, misguided at worst. The long jams are boring, the guest stars are out of place. BB works best with his regular band in front of an audience, and when all is said and done, this is how I want to hear him.

One of the greatest evenings of music I can remember was BB live at the Hampton Beach Casino in 1992. I had seen him several times prior to that, but was absolutely on fire that night.

[Dan Gould]

Funny, Jack, but I had the opposite reaction to the CD with the Phillip Morris Superband. Having loved Gene Harris' way with the blues for so long, I was so excited to see that CD hit the shelves, and so disappointed when I discovered that Gene didn't get a single chance to solo on the whole record. What a wasted opportunity. I got rid of that CD (the only Gene Harris recording I didn't keep (other than the 70s Blue Notes) and only returned to it after Harris died. At that point I knew what was in store, and I realized it did capture B.B. on a pretty good night. Still pissed about the way Gene was used, but I've since heard private recordings of the tour that B.B. and Ray Charles did with the Superband and they've demonstrated that the way it operated was that Gene would get one chance to solo when Ray and B.B. came out for the encore, and that was it.

Thanks for the report on the other seventies stuff, I've had Live at the Regal and Blues is King much longer than I've had the Crown reissues.

[HolyStitt]

I really dig Live in Japan.

He has many of the usual songs in his setlist, but he stretches out on his solos and there are more instrumentals then on a normal live recording from the time.

[Stereojack]

Funny, Jack, but I had the opposite reaction to the CD with the Phillip Morris Superband. Having loved Gene Harris' way with the blues for so long, I was so excited to see that CD hit the shelves, and so disappointed when I discovered that Gene didn't get a single chance to solo on the whole record. What a wasted opportunity.

Harris' presence (or lack thereof) ultimately doesn't matter to me. BB plays extremely well on this, unencumbered by the dumb choices that mar so many of his latter day records. I guess I can see why a Harris fan might find this lacking, but ultimately it's BB's date, and the big band is providing a backdrop for him.

[jostber]

Indianola Mississippi Seeds is great and in my opinion one of his best records! Just listen to "Chains and Things" with great singing and the whole song induced by that incredible B.B.King feeling. Blues 'n' Jazz is also a beautiful one. "Darling You know I love you" from this record must be one of his greatest vocals ever.

Back in the Alley is a wonderful CD with late 60's recordings. Take it home with Crusaders is very fine. And There must be a... is a real classic. Maybe his best in the later years.

- Jostein

Edited April 18, 2006 by jostber