B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100

Jason Landry, contributor 

 

“Baby….how blue can you get?”

 

When it comes to the most inspirational blues guitar player to have ever graced the stage, we look no further than B.B. King. I would have to say that he has inspired every single blues guitar player, one way or another. You have to give props to Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith for producing such a fabulous album—and not just one album, but three vinyl albums. They had to, right? B.B. was larger than life and the only way to do him justice is to make this compilation epic!

 

It features a who’s who of blues elite, from Buddy Guy to Eric Clapton, Larry Carlton to Robben Ford, and newer artists steeped in the blues such as Larkin Poe and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.

 

As Joe wrote in the liner notes about B.B.,
 

“He was the embodiment of an entire genre, introducing the blues—its power, its history—to generations around the world and impacting countless musicians who followed.”

 

Most people who got into blues music and blues guitar through B.B. would have started with his album, Live at The Regal. Not only did you listen for his signature phrasing and unmistakable vibrato, but his lyrics—certain lines would make the women go absolutely crazy!

 

I’ve seen many of the musicians on this compilation play live, interviewed a few, and even worked on a concert tour with a few, but seeing B.B. King on stage alluded me. This album is a true testament to the love he brought to the blues and musicians the world over. You can truly feel it through each song, each guitar solo, each vocal. B.B.’s presence is felt throughout. He & Lucille would definitely be proud.