BB King - Why I Sing the Blues (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Great Cheap King

Curtis J. George | Centreville, Maryland | 10/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best inexpensive B. B. King CD on the market today. I own over 20 King CDs, cassettes, and albums and this is one of my favorites. It could almost be labeled a "best of", with songs such as The Thrill is Gone, Ghetto Woman, Why I Sing the Blues, How Blue Can You Get?, and Ain't Nobody Home. Not to metion "Chains and Things" with Carole King on piano.I must have in everyones Compact Disc collection!"

The thrill is here

Andrew McCaffrey | Satellite of Love, Maryland | 03/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The CDDB, the on-line repository of CD track and title information, erroneously lists this record as being named B. B. KING'S GREATEST HITS. That's wrong, of course; it's really called WHY I SING THE BLUES. But it's very easy to see how someone could have made that mistake. The songs on here are among King's most famous tracks. There's not a poor number in this collection, so this is absolutely a must-own.

If you're new to B. B. King, then this is a great place to start. Not just because of the relative popularity of these particular tracks, but because they're extremely representative of his entire sound. Tight, rhythmic beats backed up by extremely solid musicians. I always admire not only King's skills with his own guitar (named Lucille, if you didn't know), but by the way he always manages to surround himself with seriously talented people. If he's ever performed a track with poor backing players, then I have yet to hear it. On the other hand, experienced King fans may want to quickly check the track listing as they may already own the music on other collections.

King's guitar-playing abilities have earned him many deserved accolades. But I also really dig his singing on this album. I love the wistfulness in his voice on a track like "Ain't Nobody Home" where he sings about the end of a relationship. The joy in his voice on "Hummingbird" is great. And, of course, his vocals on "How Blue Can You Get?" would re-emerge in the 1990s, sampled on a rock track with an improbably long name (although I don't think that sample was taken from this specific performance).

This is classic B. B. King -- sharp blues, solid music. Nothing absolutely mind-blowing, but certainly good enough to keep you sitting up straight and paying attention. There's a lot to admire and enjoy about this music. This is enduring, dependable music -- the musical equivalent of the proverbial comfortable pair of jeans.

I'm constantly surprised by how little money I see used copies of B. B. King's albums going for. Still, I can't complain since that's how I build up my own collection. You'll be able to find this album for next to nothing, which is bizarre (how could anyone with a soul sell this?!) but makes the purchase decision an easy one."

There is no other possible position in the blues hierarchy,

The Electroacoustic Metallurgist | USA | 11/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a fan primarily of Hard-Rock and Metal I find it somewhat odd how much I like this record. But I suppose if the music is terrific there is just no denying it and it can transcend most genre preferences. However, I don't expect I'll be listening to any Classical or Rap anytime soon. But to sum up my review... this is just plain great music performed by a man that has been playing and recording the blues since the 1940's and to date has released over 50 records. B.B. King is the King of Blues. Long live Blues Boy and of course Lucille."

A must have

Kafu Rahmansha | India | 11/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Why I Sing the Blues" is an interesting album. Sony's original idea behind it was to make a bargain bin priced collection of B.B. King tunes, including a couple hits, that would "wet the whistle", so to speak, for a buyer to then purchase further regular priced albums from the blues master. The funny thing is, the ten songs included are arguably the BEST songs from King during the very late 60's/early 70's era. There is no denying that the tracks included were his most popular at the time, not to mention concert staples. There literally not a dud in the bunch; no need to skip tracks on this one.

Of course, the opener is Mr. King's all time most popular hit, "The Thrill Is Gone". Even after thirty years it still sounds as fresh and memorable as ever. Fortunately, the level of excellence doesn't drop with the follow-up songs. I'm partial to "Hummingbird" myself, but they all catch King in his creative greatness. This era had King tweaking his sound slightly to make his tunes slightly more catchy and mainstream, yet they still retain the classic B.B. King guitar work and sound. Simply put, it works perfectly.

King has always backed himself with skilled backing musicians. These songs are obvious proof of that. Other famous writers/musicans take part in the recording sessions, including the talents of Carole King, Leon Russell, and Gerald Jemmott. The recordings are nearly flawless, the production is VERY good for the time period, and King's voice was really hitting its comfort zone; earthly, mellow, and passionate all at once.

Here's the kicker to all this: the CD is dirt cheap! If you have never heard B.B. King before, BUY IT NOW!!! If you already have some of King's material, it's still a safe buy that gives you a group of great tracks on one CD. It's a fail-safe purchase. So sit back, dim the lights of your living room, and enjoy!"

King of all Blues

Kafu Rahmansha | 12/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is great. Theres no possible way you will ever grow tired of it. Songs like "The Thrill Is Gone, Ghetto Woman, Hummingbird, and To Know You Is To Love You" will leave you with the desire to hear even more of B.B. Kings brillant guitar playing. Also featured is "Ain't Nobody Home" done in big organ gospel style reaviling B.B.'s childhood upbringing in the church chior. On "Chains And Things" Carole King sits in and deliveres an amazing preformance with B.B."

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