Posted on: September 19, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

B.B. King just celebrated eir 83rd birthday on September 16th, and did it in a way that showcases that ey still has it, playing at both Bonnaroo and the South Shore Music Circus in the months leading up to the release of this album. The twelve tracks on the album show a number of King’s favorite tracks, be they Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean”, John Lee Hooker’s “Blues Before Sunrise”, or T-Bone Walker’s “I Get So Weary”. King uses a four piece during “One Kind Favor” that places Dr. John at piano, along with Jim Keltner (session musician for George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon) at drums and Nathan East (fresh off of twenty years touring and recording with Eric Clapton) on double bass.

“See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” starts off “One Kind Favor”, and it comes forth as a track that links together blues, funk, and more than a little jazz influence, creating a track that has no real temporal referral, existing in a fresh style regardless of when listeners my ultimately pick up “One Kind Favor”. This timelessness continues with “I Get So Weary”, a honky-tonk type of track that really gets into a groove that will have listeners of all ages and fans of all approaches nodding and rocking back and forth until the last licks caress their ears. “Get These Blues Off Me” comes forth in a more open, expansive style. Where the vocals come forth and add some tangibility to the track, the free-form style espoused by King and eir band is a change of pace that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, unsure of where King and eir band will take the next nine tracks.

“My Love Is Down” is a more straightforward blues track with twinkling piano and carefully-chosen guitar lines creating a warm atmosphere for listeners that had just picked up this album. Later tracks, such as “Sitting On Top Of The World”, contain the same high quality and warm feeling that operates as the two threads that listeners can find throughout the entirety of “One Kind Favor”. “One Kind Favor” may be B.B. King’s 24th album, but King still has a tremendous amount left to say. If you are a fan of King, or just of good music generally, make it a point to pick up this album.

Top Tracks: Midnight Blues, How Many More Years

Rating: 7.6/10

B.B. King – One Kind Favor / 2008 Geffen / 12 Tracks / http://www.bbking.com / http://www.geffen.com /

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