That's interesting. He is playing our local county fair for "free"
(with paid admission). I figured he was on the outs. Guess not.
I used to like BB but he went commercial and lost me.
Good to know he still has it at 82.
Mike
On Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:34:57 -0500, in alt.music.blues "Little Charlie"
<charlie@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>Saw Mr. BB King night before last (June 12, 2008) at the Vicksburg
Mississippi Convention Center. After a long wait through the opening band
and some proclamations awarded him by a local TV celebrity (Paul Ott) Mr.
King sat down and fired off 2 tunes in a row with all the passion and
power of a bluesman half his age or younger. BB is 82 now. His band was
impeccable both musically and in their stage presence as they all wore
tuxedos with ***merbunds. BB had on his usual silk-like purple and blue
variegated jacket. He was the epitome of 'coolness' during his entire
performance. I more than got my $150 worth (2 x $75) for my tickets. He
did do more talking to the audience than I expected or really enjoyed.
Toward the end everyone was singing "You are my sun****ne" along with BB as
he played the notes on "Lucille". I was 3 rows from the stage. Occasionally
BB tossed guitar picks into the crowd but none happened to come my way.
Too bad. There were sax players (3 different sized
>saxophones), trumpet players, a keyboard player on the Hammond B3 as well
as a rhythm guitar and bass player. The last 30 minutes the rhythm guitar
and bass player sat right down on each side of Mr. King and jammed along
with him as all the other band members exited the stage. That was so cool.
BB hit some licks and some turnarounds any blues player would envy. He
still has all his chops! IMHO. The place was sold out. Several times
security guards warned and escorted away some fans who insisted on doing
cell phone camera shots. Regular cameras were banned and confiscated at
the door for pickup after the show. One guy was right in front of me and
another to my left about 4 seats. As a humbled blues guitar player I wiped
tears away as BB got down and did his thing. His singing was as passionate
as his playing..I mean he gave it his all - 110%. He is the true
"Ambassador of the Blues" and easily retained that moniker with his most
recent gig in Vicksburg,MS. I was honored to be there
>while this true Legend of the Blues is still with us here on earth. June
11, 2008 the night before,in Jackson,MS BB had a "meet and greet"
reception at a fancy downtown hotel for $250 per person..I had to pass on
that!! I was informed all the proceeds from that were donated to charity.
Yes..Mr. BB King is a true #1 top shelf class act. As I mentioned he is 82
and still does well over 200 shows a year. I was humbled and proud to be
there in this great bluesman's presence.
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