B.B. King

[iiholly]

I have an opputunity to see him live in Washington D.C January 18th, but I'd have to cancle some plans that I made previously. Have any of you seen B.B. King live, is he any good?

[Lordathestrings]

If you like his recorded stuff, you'll love him live! He's been playing so long that his shows have a pretty standard kind of format.


His back-up band will play the first set. This is a good thing. The musicians are always first-rate players, so that first set really gets things hopping.

Then "The Man" gets a big Las Vegas-style introduction from one of the band members. If you're in a small venue, this comes off a bit weird, but let it slide. A BB King show is not about displaying fierce guitar pyrotechnic flash - it's about enjoying some time with a great entertainer. The man has his own identifiable style, and the genuine warmth of the man comes out even more strongly in a live show.

At the end, the announcer will shout "B-B-KING" about a dozen times while he takes his bows and throws guitar picks into the audience. If the stage is low enough that he can reach people standing in the front row, he'll shake some hands. (I didn't get a pick, but I did get a handshake!).

If the audiience goes sufficiently crazy, he'll come back out and do one or two of his early works for an encore.


I don't know what your other plans are, but unless you expect to remember those activities fondly for the rest of your life, I'd recommend the BB King concert. He's not getting any younger. We've lost a lot of great bluesmen recently. He's one of the best we have left.

[iamthe_eggman]

Hear, hear! I second that... Saw him 4 years ago at Massey Hall, and I wasn't even into BB King, but the concert was great. His backup band was great, too! However, it was a local opening act the time I saw him.

[chris mood]

I really enjoy listening to BB's playing, especially the more recent stuff (from 1990 on), he just keeps getting better w/time.

I made the mistake of passing up the oppurtunity to see a couple of "legends" while they were alive becuase of some inconvience (Miles Davis, Frank Zappa). I think you should go for it.

[Guitar-Sam]

I got to see him free at Hamilton College.A buddy of mine heard he was playing at the college so he got us tickets we waited in line and were like the forth people in the door I sat dead in front of him.
I you like smooth soulful guitar you'll cream your pants.Like said above if you like the records you won't be disapointed.

[progg]

Gonna try to catch him in May when he's in Stockholm. I like some songs alot and some are quite boring. We'll just see what he has to offer live then won't we.

Cheers

[Manofdreds]

I had the opportunity to see BB a year ago in Atlantic City and just like a previous poster, I wasn't the biggest fan but after the show I was in total awe and more than impressed. He had a solo spot and he vibrato a note that I think till this day is still going. LOL. I agree with the other posters, amazing back up band whom he shared the spotlight with.

[Gainer]

BB King has to be the best blues guitarist(right ahead of SRV). He is truely an inspirational guitarist.

[alucard0941]

BB.King is an awsome guitarists but I still think SRV is a still ahead cause the way he never stops playing is great. He just keeps on flowing with is Stratocaster and I think that is one of a kind. Though I do know that SRV got his motivation from BB.King and learned some stuff from him.

[Tele Master]

I think SRV learned most of the flashy stuff from Hendrix, watch the video for "little wing"(SRV version).

[Lordathestrings]

Today is the 18th. Enjoy the concert! :)

[iiholly]

Thanks, but I didn't go. My parents didn't want to go to DC, so we went to a concert in Richmond instead. Some local band, it was enjoyable. I would of rather seen BB King though. If he dies before I get to see him I'm going to be very upset.