Post by jptheprofessor on Nov 4, 2005 0:18:00 GMT -5
B.B. KING & FRIENDS – 80 (Geffen) Not many musicians live to reach octogenarian status, let alone are still actively making music when they reach that milestone age. So the very fact that blues legend B.B. King is still performing and making music at age 80 is already a highlight of his new birthday celebration album, 80. King pairs with a wide range of well-known names from the blues, rock and pop worlds, performing some of his favorite tunes and classics with varied results. The one constant through the album’s dozen tracks is that King himself sounds in top form; he still sings with authoritative soulfulness and grit, and he makes his guitar proudly sing with tones ranging from smooth to boisterous. As for his guests, some offer stronger pairings with the blues legend than others. Van Morrison sounds perfectly at home howling and blowing harmonica alongside King on the album opener, “Early in the Morning.” Daryl Hall joins King for a punchy and soulful read of “Ain’t Nobody Home,” and Elton John and his band stir things up nicely with King on the lively album closer “Rock This House.” Other highlights include King’s and Bobby Bland’s comfortable and conversational version of Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away,” Mark Knopfler’s and King’s healthy guitar workout on “All Over Again,” and Gloria Estefan’s sultry duet with King on “There Must Be a Better World Somewhere.” On the other hand, Glenn Frey and Roger Daltrey both strain too hard to match blues growls with King on “Drivin’ Wheel” and “Never Make Your Move Too Soon” respectively; Billy Gibbons’ voice simply sounds worn out on “Tired of Your Jive;” and a too-relaxed Eric Clapton lets King do all the hard lifting on “The Thrill Is Gone.” Two current stars team with King as well; John Mayer matches well with him on Leon Russell’s “Hummingbird,” while Sheryl Crow sounds somewhat timid and subdued on “Need Your Love So Bad.” Recorded at several locations, and engineered and mixed by Nathaniel Kunkel, 80 keeps B.B. King strongly in the forefront, with his shining performances front and center. Ultimately, the biggest victory of 80 is not just that B.B. King is still doing what he does at his age, but actually sounds stronger and has aged better than some of the younger contemporaries who are helping him celebrate. King’s strong and vibrant performances win the day, and suggest that we may well have a "90" album to look forward to in another ten years.