King Of The Blues [Box]

Performer: B.B. King
Artist: Bobby Bland; Ringo Starr; U2; Bonnie Raitt; Joe Walsh; Leon Russell; The Crusaders; Carole King; Stevie Wonder
Producer: Andy McKaie (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: B.B. King (vocals, guitar, piano); Bobby Bland, Bonnie Raitt (vocals); Hugh McCracken, Joe Walsh, Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack, Ray Parker, Jr., Dean Parks, Bobby Caldwell (guitar); Ernie Watts, Hank Crawford (alto saxophone); Bobby Forte, David "Fathead" Newman (tenor saxophone); Ronald Cuber (baritone saxophone); Ben Webster (saxophone); Carole King, Gary Wright (electric piano); Johnny Ace, Al Kooper, Leon Russell (piano); Stevie Wonder (keyboards); Red Callender, Brian Garofalo (bass); Sonny Freeman, Russ Kunkel, Ringo Starr, Jim Keltner, Wil Calhoun (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Merry Clayton (background vocals). U2: Bono (vocals); The Edge (guitar); Adam Clayton (bass); Larry Mullen (drums). The Crusaders: Wilton Felder (guitar); Joe Sample (keyboards); Stix Hooper (drums). The Memphis Horns: Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson (horns). Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (MCA Studios, No. Hollywood, California). This 4-CD box set contains 7 previously unreleased tracks and 12 rarities. KING OF THE BLUES begins with B.B.'s first-ever recording, 1949's "Miss Martha King," and culminates 40 years later with 1991's "Since I Met You Baby," a duet with Gary Moore. Also included is a 72-page booklet with photos, a complete discography, comprehensive liner notes by Colin Escott and first-person commentary by King on his life and music. Disc 1 features King's earliest Memphis work, where he began his career as a disc jockey, then progresses to a selection of music he recorded for the Bihari brothers (Kent, Modern and RPM labels), and concludes with recordings made for ABC Records. On this disc you can hear King's guitar playing gradually evolve, moving from his roots in Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker, into the sweet, sensual, concise melodic style which became his trademark. Disc 2 chronicles King's rise to blues stardom, while Disc 3 shows him crossing over to reach the rock and pop audience. "The Thrill Is Gone" (his breakthrough single) set the standard for King's collaborations with rock and jazz royalty that make up much of Discs 3 and 4. No matter what the setting was, no matter who the collaborators were, B.B. King has always maintained his sound, his style and his focus.

Entertainment Weekly (12/11/92, p.66) - "...a near perfect collection...The best work of a legendary artist, respectfully distilled into one lengthy, joyous listening experience...Absolutely first-rate..." - Rating: A Q (1/93, p.95) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...It's all here--the entire life's work of the music's foremost ambassador, a man who, while he may not appear as driven as the great stylists of the post-War blues boom, is nonetheless its foremost gentleman and player..." Musician (1/93, p.88) - "...What's most striking about this chronology is not Mr. B.B.'s longevity or output, but his growth and consistency, moving easily through soul, funk, rock and jazz without compromising the essential core truth in his blues, remaining contemporary from generation to generation..." Living Blues (Jan/Feb 93, p.52) - "...does striking justice to King's remarkable royal tenure...sound quality is stunning throughout the entire box, spotlighting every nuance of King's remarkable guitar technique and patented crying vocal style..." Village Voice (3/2/93, p.5) - Ranked #6 in the Village Voice's list of the 10 Best Reissues Of 1992.

The great Memphis guitarist and singer B.B. King has been the most high-profile figure in blues since the 1960s, ever since his LIVE AT THE REGAL album established him as a superstar. King has collaborated successfully with everyone from Bobby Bland to U2, but he made his name as a soulful, enthusiastic bandleader. His beloved Gibson ES-345 guitar, "Lucille," is the source of King's trademark sound--percussive attack, dramatic string-bending, and spare lead lines with a vocal-like quality.

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