Post by anansi on May 15, 2015 19:24:49 GMT -5
'King of the Blues' legend B.B. King dead
in Las Vegas at age 89, his attorney says
Through his playing, his showmanship, his huge heart, B.B. King, more than any other blues musician proved that America’s greatest music was meant for the masses. I’m not talking about people who have twisted blues into blues-rock. I’m not talking about jam bands who take blues licks and sell it to stadiums filed with patchouli-laced kids. I’m talking about pure blues on its own hard terms.
Riley B. King walked from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the world’s stage on his own terms with his own music —blues music. He saved the blues from being relegated as a museum piece or historical curiosity. His life of collaborations, honors, and awards is a testament to his musical power. B.B. King was the great blues ambassador.
B.B. King is the last of the original blues players. He was our last link to this great music’s roots. At his peak, B.B. King played over 300 shows a year. He brought America’s story to nearly every corner of this planet. He made us all share the same blues and realize our connected humanity.
The world has lost an alchemist who did the impossible: turned generations of pathos and pain into pleasure and exultant joy.
All contained in one note.
Here are some major stops in B.B. Kings’ journey. Anyone who wants the complete story must listen to his vast catalogue and watch the most amazing 2012 documentary The Life of Riley. Still, here are some hallmarks that set him apart.
Lucille
How many guitarists can you name? Now, how many guitarists’ guitars can you name? B.B. not only has one of the most recognizable guitar sounds in the world, he has given his guitar a name that everyone knows. That is influence.
But Lucille was not simply the name of an instrument. In King’s hands, Lucille told breathtaking stories with awesome dynamic range and a singular sound. Lucille was the preeminent blues griot. For all of the music geeks, please watch this dissection of King’s playing.
Beale Street
“B.B.” stands for Beale Street Boy — Beale Street being the downtown Memphis drag where much of modern day blues was born. King began his career on Beale Street in the late 1940s, working as singer and disc jockey on local radio station WDIA.
“The Thrill Is Gone”
This 1970 single was not King’s first top 10 single but it is arguably his most significant. It was all of the things a blues single usually avoids: slickness, polish, lush. But this one worked. Its longing was was unmistakable. It’s sincerity without question. And the combination brought the blues to those who might have other-wise dismissed it.
Riley B. King walked from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the world’s stage on his own terms with his own music —blues music. He saved the blues from being relegated as a museum piece or historical curiosity. His life of collaborations, honors, and awards is a testament to his musical power. B.B. King was the great blues ambassador.
B.B. King is the last of the original blues players. He was our last link to this great music’s roots. At his peak, B.B. King played over 300 shows a year. He brought America’s story to nearly every corner of this planet. He made us all share the same blues and realize our connected humanity.
The world has lost an alchemist who did the impossible: turned generations of pathos and pain into pleasure and exultant joy.
All contained in one note.
Here are some major stops in B.B. Kings’ journey. Anyone who wants the complete story must listen to his vast catalogue and watch the most amazing 2012 documentary The Life of Riley. Still, here are some hallmarks that set him apart.
Lucille
How many guitarists can you name? Now, how many guitarists’ guitars can you name? B.B. not only has one of the most recognizable guitar sounds in the world, he has given his guitar a name that everyone knows. That is influence.
But Lucille was not simply the name of an instrument. In King’s hands, Lucille told breathtaking stories with awesome dynamic range and a singular sound. Lucille was the preeminent blues griot. For all of the music geeks, please watch this dissection of King’s playing.
Beale Street
“B.B.” stands for Beale Street Boy — Beale Street being the downtown Memphis drag where much of modern day blues was born. King began his career on Beale Street in the late 1940s, working as singer and disc jockey on local radio station WDIA.
“The Thrill Is Gone”
This 1970 single was not King’s first top 10 single but it is arguably his most significant. It was all of the things a blues single usually avoids: slickness, polish, lush. But this one worked. Its longing was was unmistakable. It’s sincerity without question. And the combination brought the blues to those who might have other-wise dismissed it.
link
