Audio CD review:
B.B. King - 80

B.B. King - 80

Band: B.B. King Title: 80 Rating: Release Date: 13 September, 2005 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Early In The Morning - with Van Morrison 2: Tired Of Your Jive – with Billy Gibbons 3: The Thrill Is Gone – with Eric Clapton 4: Need Your Love So Bad – with Sheryl Crow 5: Ain’t Nobody Home – with Darryl Hall & John Oates 6: Hummingbird – with John Mayer 7: All Over Again – with Mark Knopfler 8: Drivin’ Wheel – with Glenn Frey 9: There Must Be A Better World Somewhere – with Gloria Estefan 10: Never Make Your Move Too Soon – with Roger Daltrey 11: Funny How Time Slips Away – with Bobby Bland 12: Rock This House – with Elton John

Editoral Review Its dozen tunes are a mix of classics and obscurities from King's past. The blues master's 80th birthday gift to his fans is his third all-star collaboration. They include commendable versions of his signature "The Thrill Is Gone," with Eric Clapton trading vocal lines and licks, and Howard Tate's "Ain't Nobody Home," with Daryl Hall answering King's gritty growl. There are obscurities, too, like "Tired of Your Jive," with a jocular Billy Gibbons, and "Hummingbird," transformed into a melodic gem with the assistance of John Mayer. What's surprising is how well King's singing and playing continue to resist the years, especially when he unfurls his hearty voice on "All Over Again" as Mark Knopfler's guitar plays equally soulful foil. And Gloria Estefan is richly colorful duetting on "There Must Be a Better World Somewhere. " What's disappointing is the perfunctory quality of King's match-ups with Roger Daltrey ("Never Make Your Move Too Soon") and Elton John ("Rock This House"). Van Morrison, Glenn Frey, Sheryl Crow, and Bobby Bland complete the guest list. --Ted Drozdowski Recommended B. B. King Completely Well Riding with the King (with Eric Clapton) Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan Chronicles: Live at the Regal/Blues Is King/Live in Cook County Jail King of the Blues The Ultimate Collection .. You can see a complete list of all B.B. King discography, or go back to the B.B. King tabs