A week ago was the 100th anniversary of B.B. King’s birth, and to celebrate Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith have created an album, ‘B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100’, featuring many of King’s most iconic tracks, interpreted by some of the greatest players in Blues today.
They will be releasing 32 songs through monthly instalments all the way through to the official release in February next year.
This is the first 5 numbers to be released from the album. Bonamassa is a long time enthusiast of King’s music and in fact it was B. B. King who first gave a 12 year old Joe Bonamassa exposure, playing alongside him all those years back.
“Very few people in music define the genre in which they flourish, and B.B. King is one of them,” says Bonamassa. “When B.B. was alive and active, he was the blues – he was the sun which all planets rotated around. Only a few artists are the true north guiding the genre in which they participated, but he was that shining star.”
So, first five tracks, and genuine superstars – Bobby Rush, Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, George Benson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, D K Harrell.
5 pieces, all B. B. King classics and all 5 are presented superbly.
‘Why I Sing The Blues’ with Bobby Rush on vocals, ‘To Know You Is To Love You’ features Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, George Benson returns to his Blues roots on ‘There Must Be A Better World Somewhere’, ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ with Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Noah Hunt and all rounded off with ‘Everyday I Have The Blues’ featuring D K Harrell.
It all has the feel of a genuine tribute, unlike many of these collections that seem to be going through the motions, and the performances are quite superb. All five tracks sound fresh and alive.
