Joe Bonamassa (and Friends): B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 Review

After discovering that no other major tributes were planned for what would have been B.B. King’s 100th birthday, Joe Bonamassa took it upon himself to curate a living legacy to keep King’s music and memory alive.

The initiative grew into a monster project, concluding in a 32-track, star-studded album entitled B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100. Produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, the recordings unfolded in monthly instalments that culminate in the full 32-track-album release on February 6th.

In a video press release, Bonamassa explained, “The album is a tribute to my friend B.B. King, who I knew for 25 years. He was the King of the Blues and also the most gentle, humble soul anyone could ever meet, not just in the music business. He was that nice and genuinely one of the most talented musicians to stand on the stage, sing into a microphone and play the guitar. That is just a simple fact.”

Over the decades, countless peers and fans have expressed those same sentiments, so it’s no wonder the collection of King classics grew to include so many incredible artists. Bonamassa is prominent throughout, but the epic collection also includes 40+ amazing guests, ranging from veterans Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy through some of today’s hottest stars, including Larkin Poe, Eric Gales, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. (A complete list appears at the bottom). It’s clear from the opening notes that this amazing group of artists has come together, not to merely celebrate the great B.B. King, but also determined to prove they belong in this elite ensemble.

Not only does the ambitious project meet expectations, it manages to exceed them at every turn. Far more than rehashing the words and music of B.B. King, the artists involved have managed to impart personal moods and emotions they feel for the legend in a very real and enigmatic manner. Instrumentally, the tone is top-notch with this superstar lineup and first-rate production.

Opening with one of the hottest acts in blues today, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram ramps up the album right out of the gate, covering “Paying The Cost To Be The Boss.” No doubt, referring to King as the “boss” of the blues, the expert Ingram guitar is backed by some killer horns.

Listeners should be prepared to be captivated by the soulful and welcoming vocals contributed to “Chains And Things,” “Don’t Answer The Door,” and “Don’t You Want A Man Like Me” by Gary Clark Jr., Marcus Kin,g and Larkin Poe, respectively.

Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks form the most eclectic combination in the volume, coming together for “To Know You Is To Love You.” And for “Let The Good Times Roll,” who better than partners Noah Hunt and Kenny Wayne Shepherd to infuse new energy and power into one of King’s best-known anthems.

There’s little doubt there will be a future tribute to King’s peer and good friend, the great Buddy Guy. So it’s fitting he performs on this effort, delivering a soulful rendition of “Sweet Little Angel.”

In recent years, Slash has moved to the fore in the blues/rock world, and he teams up here with frequent partner Myles Kennedy and the multiple-award-winning Shemekia Copeland to add a rocking edition of “When Love Comes To Town.”

Larry McCray adds his deep, smooth voice to “When It All Comes Down,” and Southern Rock’s Jimmy Hall and the great guitarist Larry Carlton kick in with “Sweet Sixteen.” Killer slow blues shape “There Must Be a Better World Somewhere,” by Jazz legend George Benson.

Arguably King’s best loved classic, “The Thrill is Gone,” is masterfully delivered by Chaka Khan and Eric Clapton, while Jimmie Vaughan offers his skillful take on “Watch Yourself.” “Why I Sing The Blues” features B.B. King contemporary Bobby Rush and he adds some personal lyrics to stamp the occasion.

Keb’ Mo’ adds a full, rich deep vocal tone few others can match. He’s a great addition to this album. Once again, Bonamassa demonstrates his deep understanding of B.B. and the Blues by handing this cover over to Keb’ Mo’.

“Heartbreaker” features Trombone Shorty and Eric Gales and, as one might expect, they combine to deliver one of the most energetic, exciting highlights on the album.

“How Blue Can You Get” features Warren Haynes, and he digs in deep to deliver a soulful version. One of King’s anthems, it’s a tough song to cover, but Haynes is just the guy to do it, and, of course, he does so beautifully.

Perhaps the voice most reminiscent of B.B. King’s own is the one provided by Chris Cain on “You Upset Me, Baby,” while Ivan Neville, son of Aaron Neville, adds sweet vocals to a guitar that ably echoes King’s clean sound on a rendition of “Ghetto Woman.”

Paul Rodgers, consistently cited by his peers as one of the top voices in rock and roll, adds a smoky, soulful depth to his version of “Night Life.” Co-producer Smith noted, “Paul is such a legend and to hear the amount of respect and importance he placed on this track is amazing. A true honor to have him included, and his performance is amazing.”

Australian soul singer Jade MacRae teams up with the great Robben Ford for “Ain’t Nobody Home.” The track punctuates how one can still hear King coming through, even though artists were told to “create their own interpretation – no rules.” It’s a testament to the power of the King and the talents of these two.

“Bad Case Of Love” features Joanne Shaw Taylor, another participating artist who clearly added her own style to King’s vision. Smith observed, “Joanne delivers one of the most fun and vibrant moments on the record. It’s one of the most fun songs in B.B.’s catalog. She did an amazing job of bringing her thing to the track.” Similarly, Australian vocalist Dannielle De Andrea does a fine job with “When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer.”

Along with Buddy Guy and Bobby Rush, Dion spent more time on this earth with the great B.B. King than others on this album. And at 86, he can still belt out a classic with the best of them. He contributes “Never Make A Move Too Soon.” Backed largely by sax, and streamlined guitar, Dion’s voice is front and centre. The song may well refer to Dion’s late-on-life move to the blues after a monster career in rock/pop.

There are simply no weak spots on this album. In the instruments and voices of masters Marc Broussard and Josh Smith, Train and Chris Buck, Kim Wilson, and D.K. Harrell, the King classics “Three O’Clock Blues,” “Think It Over,” “It’s My Own Fault,” and “Every Day I Have The Blues,” respectively, are delivered with passion and emotional artistry.

John Nemeth brings back the sound of 50s rock and roll crooners with his rendition of “Please Accept My Love,” while the inclusion of Aloe Blacc punctuates the influence King held across the musical spectrum. The R&B, Soul Rap artist works well with Bonamassa’s guitar and the keyboards of Jeff Babko on “So Excited.”

Bonamassa takes the lead on “Playing With My Friends,” which is an appropriate conclusion to the music of this album.

The final offering, “Better Not Look Down,” is credited to Kirk Fletcher, but the song is interspersed with many of the artists recounting one of their memories of B.B. King.

Sometimes, listener expectations and excitement about an album that is predicted to be a must-have classic fall short. Not so here. This album is an absolute future classic and essential in any music lover’s collection. With so many stars and great versions of King classics, each listener will soon highlight their personal favorites.

The Review: 9.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– When Love Comes To Town
– Let The Good Times Roll
– Night Life
– How Blue Can You Get
– Heartbreaker
– Paying The Cost To Be The Boss

The Big Hit

– Paying The Cost To Be The Boss

Track List

1. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss feat. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
2. Don’t Answer The Door feat. Marcus King
3. To Know You Is To Love You feat. Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks
4. Let The Good Times Roll feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Noah Hunt
5. Sweet Little Angel feat. Buddy Guy
6. When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around) feat. Larry McCray
7. When Love Comes To Town feat. Slash, Shemekia Copeland & Myles Kennedy
8. The Thrill Is Gone* Feat. Chaka Khan & Eric Clapton
9. Watch Yourself feat. Jimmie Vaughan
10. Why I Sing The Blues feat. Bobby Rush
11. Sweet Sixteen feat. Jimmy Hall & Larry Carlton
12. Don’t You Want A Man Like Me feat. Larkin Poe
13. I’ll Survive feat. Keb’ Mo’
14. Heartbreaker feat. Trombone Shorty & Eric Gales
15. There Must Be A Better World Somewhere feat. George Benson
16. Chains And Things feat. Gary Clark Jr.
17. How Blue Can You Get feat. Warren Haynes
18. You Upset Me Baby feat. Chris Cain
19. Ghetto Woman feat. Ivan Neville
20. Night Life feat. Paul Rodgers
21. Ain’t Nobody Home feat. Jade MacRae & Robben Ford
22. Bad Case Of Love feat. Joanne Shaw Taylor
23. Never Make A Move Too Soon feat. Dion
24. Three O’Clock Blues feat. Marc Broussard & Josh Smith
25. Think It Over feat. Train & Chris Buck
26. It’s My Own Fault feat. Kim Wilson
27. Every Day I Have The Blues feat. D.K. Harrell
28. Please Accept My Love feat. John Nemeth
29. So Excited feat. Aloe Blacc
30. When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer feat. Dannielle De Andrea
31. Playin’ With My Friends Joe B
32. Better Not Look Down feat. Kirk Fletcher