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B.B.'s New Covers Album is King |
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Written by MATTHEW LAMBERT
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Wednesday, 10 September 2008 |
With the release of his 24th album, “One Kind Favor,” B.B. King steps back to the past to capture the sounds of traditional blues music. Supported by pianist Dr. John, bassist Nathan East and drummer Jim Kelter, the twelve-track album sounds like something out of the 1950s. T. Bone Burnett, who recently worked on John Mellencamp’s “Life Death Love and Freedom,” produced the album in a re-created 1950’s era studio. This technique creates a sound that feels classy, aged and rich. Just close your eyes and you feel like you’re sitting in a smoked-filled lounge.
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B.B. King
|  Entertainment
Art
"One Kind Favor"
(Geffen Records)
Released August 26, 2008
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King covers classic songs like “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” (Blind Lemon Jefferson), “The World Is Gone Wrong” (Mississippi Sheiks), “Blues Before Sunrise” (John Lee Hooker), “Tomorrow Night” (Lonnie Johnson) and many more. The normally grand production values heard on King’s last few albums are stripped down to the basics, and that’s what makes this album so enjoyable. King, at 82 years of age, sounds like he’s pouring his heart out through the lyrics. His guitar sounds sharp and sweet along with Dr. John’s keys and Kelter’s steady drum beats. While some fans may disappointed by a album full of covers, King makes the songs his own and he really shines through on “Backwater Blues.”
Like Buddy Guy, who recently released his latest “Skin Deep,” B.B King occasionally outshines his band. They do a fantastic job supporting him, but at points it seems like he’s saying, “Okay guys…I’ll take over from here and do my thing.” Each track on “One Kind Favor,” resonates through the speakers. and we are left with a great album that should be a joy to listen to for any blues or music fan.
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