As the summer winds down we are all drinking in every last bit of it we can with barbecues, picnics, politics and other things that are forever a part of our country. Well, there is nothing more American than the blues and no one does it better than B.B. King.
In his newest album, One Kind Favor, the 76-year-old legend is giving listeners a lot more than that. He is still showing the young bucks how the blues is done.
Most of King's counterparts have left us, like Ray Charles, whom he helped say goodbye-
among others.
King's unmatchable voice is ageless as well, and still as energetic and soulful as it was in his younger days. He starts out One Kind Favor as if this album will be another addition to the list of reflective albums being released by rock stars like Paul McCartney and Johnny Cash, who aged gracefully. King, however, captures all his reflection in one song, Lemon Jefferson's See That My Grave is Kept Clean.
After that, he bows his head to past bluesmen while keeping his head up, looking toward his many years of music yet to come. There's no doubt T-Bone Walker and Lonnie Johnson, whom King nods to the most on this album, would have been proud.
He is the master of his trade. He spans the past with both raw and affecting blues, like Walker's I Get So Weary and John Lee Hooker's Blues Before Sunrise and spunky, gorgeous jazz on How Many More Years and Just to Be With You.
There are still a few surprises up the sage's sleeve. He bursts out Louis Armstrong-like vocals and tries his hand at a pop ballad sound with Tomorrow Night.
The fact that this true musical great is still releasing albums sparks more hope in the music industry than any new artists coming on the scene. There is nothing in America, or anywhere else for that matter, like the King.
17
Archives
Susan Tebben
200808288517midsize.jpeg
