B B King The Blues

B.B. King has cut a lot of albums since the success of Live at the Regal. And, like the live shows they document, none of them are any less than solid and professional, hallmarks of King's work aesthetic. But every so often B.B. truly catches fire; his playing and singing comes up an extra notch or two, and the result is a live album with some real sparks to it. Live in Cook County Jail is one of those great concerts that the record company was smart enough to be there to capture, documenting B.B. firing on all cylinders in front of an audience that's just damn happy for him to be there…

Released the week of B.B. King's 80th birthday, 80 is a star-studded duets album, the first B.B. released since 1997's Deuces Wild. It was recorded in a variety of locations in the spring of 2005 and features a variety of guest artists, ranging from the familiar (Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Bobby Bland) to the unsurprising (Billy Gibbons, Mark Knopfler, Elton John, Sheryl Crow) to the frankly bewildering (John Mayer, Daryl Hall, Gloria Estefan). Unfortunately, the material isn't quite as wide-ranging – in fact, it leans toward the overly familiar, with a pleasant, thoroughly bland version of "The Thrill Is Gone" with Eric Clapton sadly living up to its title.

Spectacular two disc compilation by the undisputed King of the Blues! 34 tracks, including collaborations with U2, BobbyBland, Gary Moore, and Robert Cray as well as original versions of 'The Thrill Is Gone', 'Paying The Cost To Be The Boss', 'My Lucille' & more, plus live versions of eight cuts.

Stingingly sweet slide guitar and barrelhouse piano come to life on this spontaneously authentic and passionate recording from these seasoned blues veterans. "This recording contains thirteen of those songs just as they sounded that Sunday when they were recorded live at Mojo Boneyard Studios. This is how the band sounds at any number of clubs in and around the Pittsburgh area. These are all first takes and a fair representation of the energy and spontaneous creativity that the band exhibits when we’re swinging out in the clubs. I had a good time making music with these fine musicians and I'm glad we captured some of it on this recording. It’s been a long time comin" ~ Jimmy Adler

Various Artists - No More Doggin': The RPM Records Story Volume 1, 1950-1953 (2014) {2CD Set, Ace Records CDTOP2 1406}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 520 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 346 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 40 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1950-53, 2014 RPM Records / Ace Records | CDTOP2 1406
Blues / Rhythm & Blues

This time last year Ace released its first comprehensive overview of one of the many subsidiaries of the Bihari brothers’ Modern Music Company. Having dealt with the R&B releases on Flair, we now turn our attention to other labels within the Modern family – starting with RPM, the longest-running of the subsidiaries. It wasn’t possible to present a comprehensive overview of the label’s activities within the confines of one 2CD set. Thus we end this volume at the end of 1953 – roughly the halfway point in the label’s life. It’s a convenient point at which to make a break because, with the exception of B.B. King, none of the artists featured here continued their association with RPM beyond that time.

Live at San Quentin is a 1990 live album by blues guitarist B. B. King performed at San Quentin State Prison in Marin County, California…