B_b Yetsuby

The seventh volume in Ace's ongoing mid-price series based on B.B. King's original Crown LPs with bonus tracks. "More B.B. King" was released in 1961 and is an entertaining mix of booting R&B, blues ballads and instrumentals, drawn primarily from the Kent singles of the period. The bonus tracks comprise eight related Kent singles that have mainly escaped the reissuers net. These are quality recordings orchestrated by the great Maxwell Davis. As always, there is an eye-catching front cover, while compiler John Broven supplies the explanatory background notes.

Recorded in Cannes France 1983. An amazing live recording of B.B. King. Some of his best versions of songs are on this disc. Like the ever so sweet guitar playing on "You Know I Love You". Or "Caldonia" with the altered break parts with gives the whole song a heavier groove and B.B. a chance to really sing out loud. A really good and in some ways forgotten record.

My Kind of Blues was originally released in late 1960 on the budget label Crown. On this session, B.B. King dropped the smooth big band sound of his previous release, B.B. King Wails, to an instrumentally stripped-down unit of bass, drums, piano, and, of course, his beloved guitar Lucille. This date took one day to record and is said to be one of King's personal favorites. Any of B.B. King's early Crown releases are essential, and considering that the 2003 Ace reissues feature previously unissued bonus tracks and midline pricing, these are the ones to grab. According to the liner notes, these bonus tracks are included for being "small combo tracks that continue the traditional blues theme, and allow plenty of space for B.B.'s guitar." Unfortunately, recording dates for these aren't given, but they do include five previously unissued tracks from his Modern sessions, as well as an undubbed version of "Looking the World Over"; an overdubbed version of "Walking Dr. Bill"; and a previously unissued take of "Hold That Train..

True, this 1973 vintage best-of album covers a ridiculously slim wedge of time in the blues king's long career. Yet this period was quite significant, for it marks the crest of B.B. King's initial entry into the pop music mass market – and this album surfs succinctly, if not comprehensively, over the high points of his turn-of-the-decade winning streak. There's a potent slice of King's triumphant Live at Cook County – one of his sassiest "How Blue Can You Get?" on records – the huge hit "The Thrill Is Gone" extracts from his surprisingly pleasing early excursions into pop/rock territory on In London and Indianola Mississippi Seeds, and plenty of flavorful electric blues ("Sweet Sixteen," "Why I Sing the Blues") at full length. There are some quirks – "Caldonia" is shortened because one of the unnamed participants on the session demanded the cut, and the "compatible stereo/quad" sound on the LP has some details drastically mixed down when it's played back in ordinary stereo.

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