ARTIST: BB King
TITLE: King of the Blues
YEAR RELEASED: 1960
CHART ACTION: None
SINGLES: Partin’ Time (#8 R&B), Got a Right to Love My Baby (#8 R&B)
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: I’m King, Good Man Gone Bad
LINEUP: BB King and session players
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: More sides from what seemed like an inexhaustible supply of blues songs from BB King.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: This is more ‘big band’ type blues tracks from King, as he’s playing and singing before a combo with horns. This time, though, King’s songs and his guitar playing carries the band, and it doesn’t sound as dated as before.
There were two top 10 R&B tracks, and other sides that demonstrate the versatility and virtuosity of King during this period. There are a couple of skippable songs, but most are right in the blues pocket.
BB King’s deep cuts were just as fine as some of his hits (“I’m the King” for one), and each of these early albums have some gems that should be heard more often.
NOTES & MINUTIAE: These sessions were recorded over time in the 1958-60 era.
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No
GRADE: B+: A good blues album from a great bluesman.