B.B. KING

Biography from official website:

His reign as King of the Blues has been as long as that of any monarch on earth. Yet B.B. King continues to wear his crown well. At age 76, he is still light on his feet, singing and playing the blues with relentless passion. Time has no apparent effect on B.B., other than to make him more popular, more cherished, more relevant than ever. Don’t look for him in some kind of semi-retirement; look for him out on the road, playing for people, popping up in a myriad of T.V. commercials, or laying down tracks for his next album. B.B. King is as alive as the music he plays, and a grateful world can’t get enough of him.

For more than half a century, Riley B. King – better known as B.B. King – has defined the blues for a worldwide audience. Since he started recording in the 1940s, he has released over fifty albums, many of them classics. He was born September 16, 1925, on a plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi, near Indianola. In his youth, he played on street corners for dimes, and would sometimes play in as many as four towns a night. In 1947, he hitchhiked to Memphis, TN, to pursue his music career. Memphis was where every important musician of the South gravitated, and which supported a large musical community where every style of African American music could be found. B.B. stayed with his cousin Bukka White, one of the most celebrated blues performers of his time, who schooled B.B. further in the art of the blues.

B.B.’s first big break came in 1948 when he performed on Sonny Boy Williamson’s radio program on KWEM out of West Memphis. This led to steady engagements at the Sixteenth Avenue Grill in West Memphis, and later to a ten-minute spot on black-staffed and managed Memphis radio station WDIA. “King’s Spot,” became so popular, it was expanded and became the “Sepia Swing Club.” Soon B.B. needed a catchy radio name. What started out as Beale Street Blues Boy was shortened to Blues Boy King, and eventually B.B. King.

In the mid-1950s, while B.B. was performing at a dance in Twist, Arkansas, a few fans became unruly. Two men got into a fight and knocked over a kerosene stove, setting fire to the hall. B.B. raced outdoors to safety with everyone else, then realized that he left his beloved $30 acoustic guitar inside, so he rushed back inside the burning building to retrieve it, narrowly escaping death. When he later found out that the fight had been over a woman named Lucille, he decided to give the name to his guitar to remind him never to do a crazy thing like fight over a woman. Ever since, each one of B.B.’s trademark Gibson guitars has been called Lucille.

Soon after his number one hit, “Three O’Clock Blues,” B.B. began touring nationally. In 1956, B.B. and his band played an astonishing 342 one-night stands. From the chitlin circuit with its small-town cafes, juke joints, and country dance halls to rock palaces, symphony concert halls, universities, resort hotels and amphitheaters, nationally and internationally, B.B. has become the most renowned blues musician of the past 40 years.

Over the years, B.B. has developed one of the world’s most identifiable guitar styles. He borrowed from Blind Lemon Jefferson, T-Bone Walker and others, integrating his precise and complex vocal-like string bends and his left hand vibrato, both of which have become indispensable components of rock guitarist’s vocabulary. His economy, his every-note-counts phrasing, has been a model for thousands of players, from Eric Clapton and George Harrison to Jeff Beck. B.B. has mixed traditional blues, jazz, swing, mainstream pop and jump into a unique sound. In B.B.’s words, “When I sing, I play in my mind; the minute I stop singing orally, I start to sing by playing Lucille.”

In 1968, B.B. played at the Newport Folk Festival and at Bill Graham’s Fillmore West on bills with the hottest contemporary rock artists of the day who idolized B.B. and helped to introduce him to a young white audience. In “69, B.B. was chosen by the Rolling Stones to open 18 American concerts for them; Ike and Tina Turner also played on 18 shows.

B.B. was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He received NARAS’ Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 1987, and has received honorary doctorates from Tougaloo(MS) College in 1973; Yale University in 1977; Berklee College of Music in 1982; Rhodes College of Memphis in 1990; Mississippi Valley State University in 2002 and Brown University in 2007. In 1992, he received the National Award of Distinction from the University of Mississippi.

In 1991, B.B. King’s Blues Club opened on Beale Street in Memphis, and in 1994, a second club was launched at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles. A third club in New York City’s Times Square opened in June 2000 and most recently two clubs opened at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut in January 2002. In 1996, the CD-Rom On The Road With B.B. King: An Interactive Autobiography was released to rave reviews. Also in 1996, B.B.’s autobiography, “Blues All Around Me” (written with David Ritz for Avon Books) was published. In a similar vein, Doubleday published “The Arrival of B.B. King” by Charles Sawyer, in 1980.

B.B. continued to tour extensively, averaging over 250 concerts per year around the world. Classics such as “Payin’ The Cost To Be The Boss,” “The Thrill Is Gone,” How Blue Can You Get,” “Everyday I Have The Blues,” and “Why I Sing The Blues” are concert (and fan) staples. Over the years, the Grammy Award-winner has had two #1 R&B hits, 1951’s “Three O’Clock Blues,” and 1952’s “You Don’t Know Me,” and four #2 R&B hits, 1953’s “Please Love Me,” 1954’s “You Upset Me Baby,” 1960’s “Sweet Sixteen, Part I,” and 1966’s “Don’t Answer The Door, Part I.” B.B.’s most popular crossover hit, 1970’s “The Thrill Is Gone,” went to #15 pop.

B.B. passed away in his sleep on May 14th 2015.

Album Discography

(This discography will include his main albums and significant others. There's countless compilations that aren't worth mention due to extreme redundancy and potentially dubious origins. If it's not here you don't need it)

"Singin' the Blues" (Crown 1956)

Please Love Me
You Upset Me Baby
Everyday I Have The Blues
Bad Luck
3 O'Clock Blues
Blind Love
Woke Up This Morning
You Know I Love You
Sweet Little Angel
Ten Long Years
Did You Ever Love A Woman
Crying Won't Help You

"The Blues" (Crown 1958)

Why Do Things Happen To Me
Ruby Lee
When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer
Past Day
Boogie Woogie Woman
Early In The Morning
I Want To Get Married
That Ain't The Way To Do It
Troubles, Troubles, Troubles
Don't You Want A Man Like Me
You Know I Go For You
What Can I Do

"B.B. King Wails" (Crown 1958)

Sweet Thing
I've Got Papers On You Baby
Tomorrow Is Another Day
Come By Here
The Fool
I Love You So
The Woman I Love
We Can't Make It
Treat Me Right
Time To Say Goodbye

"Sings Spirituals" (Diablo 1959)

Precious Lord
Save A Seat For Me
Ole Time Religion
Sweet Chariot
Servant's Prayer
Jesus Gave Me Water
I Never Heard A Man
Army Of The Lord
I Am Willing To Run All The Way
I'm Working On The Building

"Compositions Of Duke Ellington And Others" (Diablo 1960)

Cotton Tail
Solitude
Jack The Bear
Sophisticated Lady
Jeep Blues
Take The "A" Train
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Main Stem
Mood Indigo
Eastside Westside

"King Of The Blues" (Crown 1960)

I've Got A Right To Love My Baby
What Way To Go
Long Nights
Feel Like A Million
I'll Survive
Good Man Gone Bad
If I Lost You
You're On The Top
Partin' Time
I'm King

"My Kind of Blues" (Crown 1961)

You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
Mr. Pawn Broker
Understand
Someday Baby
Driving Wheel
Walking Dr. Bill
My Own Fault, Baby
Cat Fish Blues
Hold That Train
Please Set The Date

"More" (Crown 1961)

Bad Case Of Love
Get Out Of Here
Bad Luck Soul
Shut Your Mouth
Baby Look At You
You're Breaking My Heart
My Reward
Don't Cry Anymore
Blues For Me
Just Like A Woman

"Easy Listening Blues" (Crown 1962)

Easy Listening Blues
Blues For Me
Night Long
Confessin'
Don't Touch
Slow Walk
Walkin'
Hully Gully
Shoutin' The Blues
Rambler

"Twist with B.B. King" (Crown 1962)

1 You Upset Me Baby
2 Woke Up This Morning
3 Please Love Me
4 Bad Case Of Love
5 Groovin' Twist
6 Bad Luck Soul
7 Do What I Say
8 Rockin' Twist
9 Come By Here
10 Oh Baby

"Mr. Blues" (ABC 1963)

Young Dreamers 2:50
By Myself 2:20
Chains Of Love 2:35
A Mother's Love 2:35
Blues At Midnight 2:57
Sneakin' Around 2:05
On My Word Of Honor 2:35
Tomorrow Night 2:18
My Baby's Comin' Home 2:06
Guess Who? 2:12
You Ask Me 2:08
I'm Gonna Sit In Til You Give In 2:12

"Blues In My Heart" (Crown 1962)

You're Gonna Miss Me
Got 'Em Bad
Troubles Don't Last
Your Letter
I Can't Explain
The Wrong Road
I Need You Baby
So Many Days
Down Hearted
Strange Things

"B.B. King" (Crown 1963)

Going Home
The Letter
You Never Know
Please Remember Me
Come Back Baby
You Won't Listen
Sundown
You Shouldn't Have Left
House Rocker
Shake Yours

"Let Me Love You" (United 1964)

Let Me Love You
Driving Wheel
Troubles Don't Last
Did You Ever Love A Woman
Whole Lot Of Lovin
Hold That Train
You're Gonna Miss Me
I'm Gonna Quit My Baby
Come By Here
I've Got A Right To Love My Baby
I Can't Explain
Walkin Dr. Bill

"Rock Me Baby" (Kent 1964)

Rock Me Baby
Every Day I Have The Blues
Woke Up This Morning
You Upset Me Baby
When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer
Sneakin' Around
Sweet Little Angel
Please Love Me
Sweet Sixteen (Pt.1 & Pt.2)
3 O'Clock Blues
You Know I Love You
Bad Case Of Love
Ten Long Years

"Live at the Regal" (ABC/MCA 1965)

Every Day I Have The Blues 2:27
Sweet Little Angel 4:15
It's My Own Fault 3:25
How Blue Can You Get 3:00
Please Love Me 2:55
You Upset Me Baby 2:20
Worry, Worry 6:21
Woke Up This Mornin' 1:42
You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now 4:10
Help The Poor 2:35

"Confessin' The Blues" (ABC 1965)

See See Rider 2:15
Do You Call That A Buddy? 2:16
Wee Baby Blues 2:14
I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water 2:16
In The Dark 1:44
Confessin' The Blues 2:20
Goin' To Chicago 2:10
I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town 2:25
World Of Trouble 2:32
How Long, How Long Blues 2:46
Cherry Red 2:22
Please Send Me Someone To Love 2:23

"The Jungle" (Kent 1967)

The Jungle 3:11
Five Long Years 3:27
Eyesight To The Blind 2:30
Blue Shadows 3:42
The Worst Thing In My Life 3:48
Beautician Blues 2:00
Ain't Nobody's Business 3:03
Blues Stay Away 3:00
I Stay In The Mood 2:28
I Can Hear My Name 2:19
Got 'Em Bad 2:51
It's A Mean World 2:29

"Blues Is King" (MCA 1967)

Waitin' On You 2:23
Gamblers' Blues 4:38
Tired Of Your Jive 3:30
Night Life 4:45
Buzz Me 4:05
Don't Answer The Door 4:00
Blind Love 3:25
I Know What You're Puttin' Down 3:30
Baby Get Lost 3:57
Gonna Keep On Loving You 3:45

"Blues on Top of Blues" (Bluesway 1968)

Heartbreaker 2:33
Losing Faith In You 2:55
Dance With Me 3:05
That's Wrong Little Mama 2:45
Having My Say 2:35
I'm Not Wanted Anymore 2:23
Worried Dream 2:47
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 2:35
Until I Found You 2:25
I'm Gonna Do What They Do To Me 3:00
Raining In My Heart 2:26
Now That You've Lost Me 2:25

"Lucille" (MCA 1968)

Lucille 10:10
You Move Me So 2:10
Country Girl 4:20
No Money No Luck 3:45
I Need Your Love 2:15
Rainin' All The Time 2:52
I'm With You 2:39
Stop Putting The Hurt On Me 2:55
Watch Yourself 6:00

"His Best: The Electric BB King" (Bluesway/ABC 1968)

Tired Of Your Jive
Don't Answer The Door
The B. B. Jones
All Over Again
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss
Think It Over
I Done Got Wise
Meet My Happiness
Sweet Sixteen (Parts 1 & 2)
You Put It On Me
I Don't Want You Cutting Off Your Hair

"Completely Well" (MCA 1969)

So Excited 5:34
No Good 4:35
You're Losin' Me 4:54
What Happened 4:41
Confessin' The Blues 4:56
Key To My Kingdom 3:18
Cryin' Won't Help You Now 6:30
You're Mean 9:39
The Thrill Is Gone 5:30

"Live & Well (MCA 1969)

Don't Answer The Door 6:10
Just A Little Love 5:20
My Mood 2:40
Sweet Little Angel 5:10
Please Accept My Love 3:20
I Want You So Bad 4:17
Friends 5:38
Get Off My Back Woman 3:17
Let's Get Down To Business 3:37
Why I Sing The Blues 8:39

"Indianola Mississippi Seeds" (MCA 1970)

Nobody Loves Me But My Mother 1:26
You're Still My Woman 6:06
Ask Me No Questions 3:08
Until I'm Dead And Cold 4:45
King's Special 5:00
Ain't Gonna Worry My Life Anymore 5:18
Chains And Things 4:53
Go Underground 4:02
Hummingbird 4:35

"Live in Japan" (MCA 1971)

Every Day I Have The Blues
How Blue Can You Get?
Eyesight To The Blind
Niji Baby
You're Still My Woman
Chains And Things
Sweet Sixteen
Hummingbird
Darlin' You Know I Love You
Japanese Boogie
Jamming At Sankei Hall
The Thrill Is Gone
Hikari #88

"Live in Cook County Jail" (MCA 1971)

Introductions 1:50
Every Day I Have The Blues 1:43
How Blue Can You Get 5:09
Worry, Worry, Worry 9:57
Medley (6:15)
3 O'Clock Blues
Darlin' You Know I Love You
Sweet Sixteen 4:20
The Thrill Is Gone 5:21
Please Accept My Love 4:02

"In London" (ABC 1971)

Caldonia 4:00
Blue Shadows 5:11
Alexis' Boogie 3:32
We Can't Agree 4:52
Ghetto Woman 5:13
Wet Hayshark 2:31
Part-Time Love 3:17
Power Of The Blues 2:19
Ain't Nobody Home 3:27

"Back in the Alley" (MCA 1971 (Canada)/ABC 1973 (USA))

Sweet Little Angel 3:45
Watch Yourself 5:50
Don't Answer The Door 5:09
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 2:32
Sweet Sixteen 4:17
Gambler's Blues 4:48
I'm Gonna Do What They Do To Me 2:45
Lucille 10:13
Please Love Me 2:58

"L.A. Midnight" (ABC 1972)

I Got Some Help I Don't Need
Help The Poor
Can't You Hear Me Talking To You
Midnight
Sweet Sixteen
(I Believe) I've Been Blue Too Long
Lucille's Granny

"Guess Who" (MCA 1972)

Summer In The City 3:20
Just Can't Please You 4:30
Any Other Way 4:30
You Don't Know Nothin' About Love 4:20
Found What I Need 2:50
Neighborhood Affair 3:15
It Takes A Young Girl 3:23
Better Lovin' Man 4:40
Guess Who 4:05
Shouldn't Have Left Me 4:00
Five Long Years 5:19

"The Best Of" (MCA 1973)

Hummingbird 4:33
Cook County Jail Introduction 0:37
How Blue Can You Get 5:08
Caldonia 3:18
Sweet Sixteen 7:04
Ain't Nobody Home 3:37
Why I Sing The Blues 8:40
The Thrill Is Gone 5:28
Nobody Loves Me But My Mother 3:05

"To Know You Is to Love You" (MCA 1973)

I Like To Live The Love 3:29
Respect Yourself 5:13
Who Are You 3:55
Love 3:10
I Can't Leave 4:13
To Know You Is To Love You 8:42
Oh To Me 4:27
Thank You For Loving The Blues 6:47

"Together for the First Time...Live" (with Bobby Bland) (MCA 1974)

Introduction
3 O'Clock In The Morning 3:15
It's My Own Fault Baby 4:13
Driftin' Blues 5:10
That's The Way Love Is 3:51
I'm Sorry 9:55
I'll Take Care Of You 3:50
Don't Cry No More 2:33
Don't Want A Soul Hangin' Around 3:52
Medley (14:00)
Everybody Wants To Know Why I Sing The Blues 6:19
Goin' Down Slow 5:16
I Like To Live The Love 6:00

"Friends" (ABC 1974)

Friends 4:44
I Got Them Blues 4:31
Baby I'm Yours 3:28
Up At 5 AM 3:15
Philadelphia 6:03
When Everything Else Is Gone 3:08
My Song 3:57

"Lucille Talks Back" (MCA 1975)

Lucille Talks Back (Copulation) 2:26
Breaking Up Somebody's Home 2:58
Reconsider Baby 2:53
Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes 3:15
When I'm Wrong 6:11
I Know The Price 3:06
Have Faith 2:36
Everybody Lies A Little 3:43

"Together Again" (with Bobby Bland) (MCA 1976)

Let The Good Times Roll 5:40
Medley
They Call It Stormy Monday 3:00
Strange Things Happen 3:58
Feel So Bad 8:22
Medley
Mother-In-Law Blues 3:00
Mean Old World 5:40
Everyday (I Have The Blues) 3:58
Medley
The Thrill Is Gone 12:35
I Ain't Gonna Be The First To Cry 2:00

"King Size" (ABC 1977)

Don't You Lie To Me 6:05
I Wonder Why 5:08
Medley: (4:30)
I Just Want To Make Love To You
Your Lovin' Turns Me On
Slow And Easy 3:02
Got My Mojo Working 4:35
Walkin' In The Sun 3:50
Mother Fuyer 3:05
The Same Love That Made Me Laugh 3:35
It's Just A Matter Of Time 5:25

"Midnight Believer" (MCA 1978)

When It All Comes Down (I'll Still Be Around) 4:12
Midnight Believer 4:40
I Just Can't Leave Your Love Alone 4:45
Hold On (I Feel Our Love Is Changing) 4:11
Never Make A Move Too Soon 5:30
A World Full Of Strangers 4:21
Let Me Make You Cry A Little Bit Longer 5:48

"Take It Home" (MCA 1979)

Better Not Look Down 3:22
Same Old Story (Same Old Song) 4:30
Happy Birthday Blues 3:16
I've Always Been Lonely 5:27
Second Hand Woman 3:20
Tonight I'm Gonna Make You A Star 3:25
The Beginning Of The End 2:21
A Story Everybody Knows 2:47
Take It Home 3:07

"Live "Now Appearing" at Ole Miss" (MCA 1980)

Intro - B.B. King Blues Theme 3:04
Caldonia 2:47
Blues Medley (14:09)
Don't Answer The Door
You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
I Need Love So Bad
Nobody Loves Me But My Mother
Hold On 5:35
I Got Some Outside Help (I Don't Really Need) 5:24
Darlin' You Know I Love You 7:05
When I'm Wrong 9:23
The Thrill Is Gone 11:17
Never Make A Move Too Soon 7:17
Three O'Clock In The Morning 8:55
Rock Me Baby 3:59
Guess Who 2:32
I Just Can't Leave Your Love Alone 3:16

"There Must Be a Better World Somewhere" (MCA 1981)

Life Ain't Nothing But A Party 6:13
Born Again Human 8:32
There Must Be A Better World Somewhere 5:30
The Victim 6:15
More, More, More 4:33
You're Going With Me 4:32

"Great Moments With B.B. King" (MCA 1981)

Waitin' On You
Gambler's Blues
Tired Of Your Jive
Night Life
Buzz Me
Blind Love
Baby, Get Lost
Gonna Keep On Loving You
I Know What You're Puttin' Down
Heartbreaker
Dance With Me
That's Wrong Little Mama
See See Rider
Wee Baby Blues
I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water
I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
How Long, How Long Blues
Cherry Red
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss
Until I Found You
I'm Gonna Do What They Do To Me
Having My Say
I'm Not Wanted Anymore
Worried Dream

The Crusaders With B.B. King & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ‎"Royal Jam" (MCA 1982)

Overture (I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today) 3:30
One Day I'll Fly Away 5:37
Fly With Wings Of Love 8:36
Burnin' Up The Carnival 5:36
Last Call 7:48
The Thrill Is Gone 4:58
Better Not Look Down 5:33
Hold On 4:07
Street Life 6:47
Encores
I Just Can't Leave Your Love Alone 3:03
Never Make A Move Too Soon 3:41

"Love Me Tender" (MCA 1982)

One Of Those Nights 4:58
Love Me Tender 3:29
Don't Change On Me 4:39
(I'd Be) A Legend In My Time 2:53
You've Always Got The Blues 4:57
Nightlife, Please Send Me Someone To Love 4:32
You And Me, Me And You 3:06
Since I Met You Baby 4:32
Time Is A Thief 5:28
A World I Never Made 5:13

"Blues 'n' Jazz" (MCA 1983)

Inflation Blues 4:12
Broken Heart 2:43
Sell My Monkey 3:02
Heed My Warning 5:05
Teardrops From My Eyes 4:59
Rainbow Riot 3:37
Darlin' You Know I Love You 4:44
Make Love To Me 4:15
I Can't Let You Go 3:48

"Six Silver Strings" (MCA 1985)

Six Silver Strings 4:23
Big Boss Man 4:46
In The Midnight Hour 3:22
Into The Night 4:10
My Lucille 3:42
Memory Lane 4:38
My Guitar Sings The Blues 3:38
Double Trouble 5:12

"Spotlight On Lucille" (MCA 1986)

Slidin' And Glidin'
Blues With B.B.
King Of The Guitar
Jump With B.B.
38th Street Blues
Feedin' The Rock
Goin' South
Step It Up
Calypso Jazz
Easy Listening (Blues)
Shoutin' The Blues
Swinging With Sonny

"King Of The Blues" (MCA 1988)

(You've Become A) Habit To Me 4:45
Drowning In The Sea Of Love 4:36
Can't Get Enough 4:50
Standing On The Edge 5:19
Go On 3:50
Lets Straighten It Out 5:35
Change In Your Lovin 3:25
Undercover Man 5:38
Lay Another Log On The Fire 4:00
Business With My Baby Tonight 3:35

"Live at San Quentin" (MCA 1990)

B.B. King Intro 1:56
Let The Good Times Roll 5:08
Every Day I Have The Blues 4:42
Whole Lotta Loving 3:26
Sweet Little Angel 3:12
Never Make A Move Too Soon 7:51
Into The Night 4:28
Ain't Nobody's Bizness 5:00
The Thrill Is Gone 6:28
Peace To The World 3:52
Nobody Loves Me But My Mother 11:10
Sweet Sixteen 3:29
Rock Me Baby 3:25

"Live at the Apollo" (GRP 1990)

When Love Comes To Town 4:52
Sweet Sixteen 7:25
The Thrill Is Gone 3:33
Ain't Nobody's Bizness 2:43
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 2:29
All Over Again 7:32
Nightlife 4:03
Since I Met You Baby 3:53
Guess Who 5:03
Peace To The World 2:53

"There Is Always One More Time" (MCA 1991)

I'm Moving On 4:15
Back In L.A. 5:00
The Blues Come Over Me 5:13
Fool Me Once 4:18
The Lowdown 4:10
Mean And Evil 4:20
Something Up My Sleeve 4:27
Roll, Roll, Roll 5:56
There Is Always One More Time 8:24

"King Of The Blues" (Box) (MCA 1992)

DISC 1:
1. Miss Martha King - (previously unreleased)
2. She's Dynamite
3. Three O'Clock Blues
4. Please Love Me
5. You Upset Me Baby
6. Every Day I Have the Blues
7. Rock Me Baby
8. Recession Blues
9. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
10. I'm Gonna Sit in 'Til You Give In
11. Blues at Midnight
12. Sneakin' Around
13. My Baby's Comin' Home
14. Slowly Losing My Mind - (previously unreleased)
15. How Blue Can You Get? - (previously unreleased)
16. Rockin' Awhile - (previously unreleased)
17. Help the Poor - (previously unreleased)
18. Stop Leading Me On - (previously unreleased)
19. Never Trust a Woman - (previously unreleased)
20. Sweet Little Angel
21. All over Again
22. Sloppy Drunk - (previously unreleased)
23. Don't Answer the Door, Pts. 1 & 2
24. I Done Got Wise
25. Think It Over
26. Gambler's Blues

DISC 2:
1. Goin' Down Slow - (previously unreleased)
2. Tired of Your Jive
3. Sweet Sixteen, Pts. 1 & 2 - (previously unreleased)
4. Paying the Cost to Be the Boss
5. I'm Gonna Do What They Do to Me
6. Lucille
7. Watch Yourself
8. You Put It on Me
9. Get Myself Somebody - (previously unreleased)
10. I Want You So Bad
11. Why I Sing the Blues
12. Get off My Back, Woman
13. Please Accept My Love
14. Fools Get Wise - (previously unreleased)
15. No Good
16. So Excited

DISC 3:
1. Thrill Is Gone, The
2. Confessin' the Blues
3. Nobody Loves Me But My Mother
4. Hummingbird
5. Ask Me No Questions
6. Chains and Things
7. Eyesight to the Blind - (previously unreleased)
8. Niji Baby - (previously unreleased)
9. Blue Shadows
10. Ghetto Woman
11. Ain't Nobody Home
12. I Got Some Help I Don't Need - (previously unreleased)
13. Five Long Years
14. To Know You Is to Love You
15. I Like to Live the Love
16. Don't Make Me Pay for His Mistakes

DISC 4:
1. Let the Good Times Roll
2. Don't You Lie to Me
3. Mother Fuyer
4. Never Make a Move Too Soon
5. When It All Comes Down (I'll Still Be Around)
6. Better Not Look Down
7. Caldonia
8. There Must Be a Better World Somewhere
9. Play With Your Poodle - (previously unreleased)
10. Darlin' You Know I Love You
11. Inflation Blues
12. Make Love to Me - (previously unreleased, take Rehearsal, piano solo)
13. Into the Night
14. Six Silver Strings
15. When Love Comes to Town - (7" Edit & Mix, previously unreleased)
16. Right Place, Wrong Time
17. Many Miles Travelled
18. I'm Moving On
19. Since I Met You Baby

"Blues Summit" (MCA 1993)

1. "Playin' with My Friends" with Robert Cray 5:18
2. "Since I Met You Baby" with Katie Webster 4:45
3. "I Pity the Fool" with Buddy Guy 4:36
4. "You Shook Me" John Lee Hooker 4:59
5. "Something You Got" with Koko Taylor 4:02
6. "There's Something on Your Mind" with Etta James 6:02
7. "Little by Little" with Lowell Fulson 4:07
8. "Call It Stormy Monday" with Albert Collins 7:17
9. "You're the Boss" with Ruth Brown 4:07
10. "We're Gonna Make It" with Irma Thomas 3:51
11. "I Gotta Move Out of This Neighborhood/Nobody Loves Me But My Mother" with Orchestra 8:57
12. "Everybody's Had the Blues" with Joe Louis Walker 4:36

"Kansas City 1972 [live]" (Charly 1993)

Introduction 3:29
The Thrill Is Gone 5:03
Sweet Little Angel 5:10
Nobody Loves Me But My Mother 4:49
Guess Who 3:50
King's Shuffle 3:16
Outside Help 7:36
I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living 5:31
Ain't Nobody Home 7:22

Diane Schuur & B.B. King "Heart To Heart" (GRP 1994)

No One Ever Tells You 4:57
I Can't Stop Loving You 4:28
You Don't Know Me 3:54
It Had To Be You 3:17
I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket 3:33
Glory Of Love 3:50
Try A Little Tenderness 4:28
Spirit In The Dark 5:01
Freedom 4:44
At Last 5:13
They Can't Take That Away From Me 2:47

"Lucille & Friends" (MCA 1995)

Compilation of BB with guests

1 –U2 When Love Comes To Town 4:16
2 –Robert Cray Playin' With My Friends 5:17
3 –Stevie Wonder To Know You Is To Love You 8:29
4 –Grover Washington Jr.* Caught A Touch Of Your Love 5:07
5 –Vernon Reid All You Ever Give Is The Blues 4:27
6 –John Lee Hooker You Shook Me 4:58
7 –Dianne Schuur* Spirit In The Dark 5:01
8 –Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks Can't Get Enough 4:50
9 –Gary Moore Since I Met You Baby 2:53
10 –Branford Marsalis BB's Blues 10:07
11 –The Crusaders Better Not Look Down 3:20
12 –Albert Collins Frosty 3:23
13 –Leon Russell and Joe Walsh Hummingbird 4:33
14 –Gary Wright and Mac Rebennack and Ringo Starr Ghetto Woman 5:11
15 –Bobby Bland Let The Good Times Roll 5:31

"How Blue Can You Get: Classic Live Performances 1964-1994" (MCA 1996)

DISC 1 1964 - 1971
1-1 Every Day I Have The Blues 3:09
1-2 Sweet Little Angel 3:45
1-3 Please Love Me 2:57
1-4 You Upset Me Baby 2:24
1-5 Gambler's Blues 4:45
1-6 Buzz Me 4:09
1-7 Baby Get Lost 4:09
1-8 Blind Love 3:31
1-9 Don't Answer The Door 5:58
1-10 Please Accept My Love 2:38
1-11 Worry, Worry 9:51
1-12 How Blue Can You Get? 5:14
1-13 Eyesight To The Blind 4:04
1-14 Chains And Things 5:41
1-15 Sweet Sixteen 5:57
1-16 The Thrill Is Gone 5:50
DISC 2 1976 - 1994
2-1 Let The Good Times Roll 5:33
2-2 I Got Some Help I Don't Need 5:14
2-3 Caldonia 2:47
2-4 Night Life 6:45
2-5 Never Make A Move Too Soon 3:43
2-6 All Over Again A K A I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living 6:49
2-7 Please Send Me Someone To Love 4:11
2-8 Nobodys Loves Me But My Mother 8:11
2-9 When Loves Come To Town 4:47
2-10 Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 2:26
2-11 Ain't Nobody's Business 9:22
2-12 T-Bone Shuffle 6:41
2-13 Rock Me Baby 6:20

"Deuces Wild" (MCA 1997)

–B.B. King With Van Morrison If You Love Me 5:47
–B.B. King With Tracy Chapman The Thrill Is Gone 5:01
–B.B. King With Eric Clapton Rock Me Baby 6:37
–B.B. King With Mick Hucknall Please Send Me Someone To Love 4:15
–B.B. King With Bonnie Raitt Baby I Love You 4:01
–B.B. King With D'Angelo Ain't Nobody Home 4:59
–B.B. King With Jools Holland Pauly's Birthday Boogie 3:38
–B.B. King With Dr. John There Must Be A Better World Somewhere 4:28
–B.B. King With Marty Stuart Confessin' The Blues 4:21
–B.B. King With Dionne Warwick Hummingbird 4:20
–B.B. King With Paul Carrack Bring It Home To Me 3:10
–B.B. King With The Rolling Stones Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 3:33
–B.B. King With Zucchero Let The Good Times Roll 5:12
–B.B. King With Joe Cocker Dangerous Mood 4:53
–B.B. King With Heavy D Keep It Coming 3:55
–B.B. King With David Gilmour & Paul Carrack Cryin' Won't Help You Babe 3:54
–B.B. King With Willie Nelson Night Life 4:30

"King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents B.B. King" (King Biscuit 1998)

Caldonia 4:55
How Blue Can You Get 4:32
Goin' Down Slow 6:23
I Got Some Help I Don't Need 14:47
Just A Little Love 11:10
The Thrill Is Gone 6:52

"Greatest Hits" (MCA 1998)

Everyday I Have The Blues (live) 2:40
Sweet Little Angel 3:49
How Blue Can You Get? 2:44
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 2:36
Don't Answer The Door 5:12
Why I Sing The Blues 8:40
The Thrill Is Gone 5:28
I Like To Live The Love 3:33
Hummingbird 4:36
To Know You Is To Love You 3:53
Chains And Things 4:56
Better Not Look Down 3:22
Never Make A Move Too Soon 5:33
There Must Be A Better World Somewhere 3:48
Playin' With My Friends (with Robert Cray) 5:21
When Love Comes To Town (with U2) 4:12

"Blues on the Bayou" (MCA 1998)

Blues Boys Tune
Bad Case Of Love
I'll Survive
Mean Ole' World
Blues Man
Broken Promise
Darlin' What Happened
Shake It Up And Go
Blues We Like
Good Man Gone Bad
If I Lost You
Tell Me Baby
I Got Some Outside Help I Don't Need
Blues In "G"
If That Ain't It I Quit

"His RPM Hits: 1951-1957" (Ace 1999)

Three O' Clock Blues
Please Love Me
You Know I Love You
Woke Up This Morning
Story From My Heart & Soul
Please Hurry Home
Bad Luck
You Upset Me Baby
Whole Lotta' Love
Every Day (I Have The Blues)
Sneakin' Around
Ten Long Years
Crying Won't Help You
I Want To Get Married
Sweet Little Angel
Troubles, Troubles, Troubles
I Need You So Bad
I Wonder
Be Careful With A Fool
(I'm Gonna) Quit My Baby
On My Word Of Honor
I'm Cracking Up Over You
Shut Your Mouth
Did You Ever Love A Woman
Blind Love
When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer

"His Definitive Greatest Hits" (MCA 1999)

1. The Thrill Is Gone
2. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss
3. Don't Answer The Door(Parts 1 & 2)
4. I Like To Live The Love
5. How Blue Can You Get
6. Why I Sing The Blues
7. Chains And Things
8. To Know You Is To Love You
9. When Love Comes To Town(With U2)
10. Playin' With My Friends(With Robert Cray)
11. Never Make You Move To Soon
12. Better Not Look Down
13. There Must Be A Better World Somewhere
14. Hummingbirds
15. Everyday I Have The Blues(Live)
16. Sweet Little Angel(Live)
17. Help The Poor
18. So Excited
19. Broken Heart
20. Ghetto Woman
21. Ain't Nobody Home
22. Darlin' You Know I Love You
23. In The Midnight Hour
24. Into The Night
25. My Lucille
26. The Blues Come Over Me
27. Since I Met You Baby(With Gary Moore)
28. I'm Moving On
29. Let The Good Times Roll(Live With Bobby Bland)
30. Please Love Me(Live At The Regal)
31. Caldonia(Live At "Ole Miss")
32. Rock Me Baby(Live At San Quentin)

"Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan" (MCA 1999)

Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens 2:51
Is You Is, Or Is You Ain't (My Baby) 3:22
Beware, Brother, Beware 3:07
Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door 3:28
Ain't That Just Like A Woman 3:30
Choo Choo Ch'Boogie 2:37
Buzz Me 2:52
Early In The Mornin' 4:47
I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town 4:49
Jack, You're Dead 2:09
Knock Me A Kiss 2:40
Let The Good Times Roll 2:39
Caldonia 2:17
It's A Great, Great Pleasure 2:38
Rusty Dusty Blues (Mama Mama Blues) 4:17
Sure Had A Wonderful Time Last Night 3:07
Saturday Night Fish Fry 4:24
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out 4:34

"The Best Of" (MCA 1999)

The Thrill Is Gone 5:27
Ain't Nobody Home 3:17
Let The Good Times Roll 5:32
Guess Who 4:09
I Like To Live The Love 3:32
Don't Answer The Door 5:12
Sweet Sixteen 6:13
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 2:35
I Got Some Help I Don't Need 3:26
Into The Night 4:10

"The Best Of The Kent Singles: 1958-1971" (Ace 2000)

1 Why Does Everything Happen To Me 2:49
2 Days Of Old 2:27
3 You've Been An Angel 2:37
4 Please Accept My Love 2:31
5 Sugar Mama 2:42
6 Mean Ole Frisco 2:29
7 Sweet Sixteen (Parts 1 & 2) 6:10
8 I've Got A Right To Love My Baby 3:12
9 Partin' Time 2:58
10 Walkin' Dr. Bill 3:38
11 Peace Of Mind 2:14
12 Someday 2:32
13 My Sometime Baby 4:02
14 Gonna Miss You Around Here 2:51
15 My Reward 2:13
16 Rock Me Baby 2:57
17 Beautician Blues 1:58
18 Blue Shadows 3:33
19 Eyesight To The Blind 2:29
20 Five Long Years 3:26
21 It's A Mean World 2:30
22 The Jungle 3:11
23 Worry, Worry, Worry 2:40
24 Your Fool 3:35
25 That Evil Child 3:50

"Anthology" (MCA 2000)

Reissued as "Gold" in 2006

"Makin' Love Is Good for You" (MCA 2000)

I Got To Leave This Woman
Since I Fell For You
I Know
Peace Of Mind
Monday Woman
Ain't Nobody Like My Baby
Makin' Love Is Good For You
Don't Go No Farther
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
What You Bet
You're On Top
Too Good To You Baby
I'm In The Wrong Business
She's My Baby

"Riding With The King" (with Eric Clapton) (Warner 2000)

Riding With The King 4:23
Ten Long Years 4:39
Key To The Highway 3:40
Marry You 5:00
Three O'Clock Blues 8:36
Help The Poor 5:06
I Wanna Be 4:46
Worried Life Blues 4:26
Days Of Old 3:00
When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer 7:08
Hold On I'm Coming 6:21
Come Rain Or Come Shine 4:11

"Here And There: The Uncollected B.B. King" (Hip-O 2001)

1 Caught A Touch Of Your Love
2 Monday Morning Blues
3 All You Ever Give Me Is The Blues
4 Frosty
5 T'Ain't Nobody's Biziness
6 Six Pack
7 Three O'Clock Blues
8 Yes Man
9 The Thrill Is Gone
10 Get You Next To Me
11 Stormy Monday Blues

"A Christmas Celebration of Hope" (MCA 2001)

Please Come Home for Christmas
Lonesome Christmas
Back Door Santa
Christmas In Heaven
I'll Be Home for Christmas
To Someone That I Love
Christmas Celebration
Merry Christmas Baby
Christmas Love
Blue Decoration
Christmas Comes But Once A Year
Bringing In A Brand New Year
Auld Lang Syne

"The Vintage Years" (Ace 2002)

Disc 1 The Great B.B.
3 O'Clock Blues 3:03
You Know I Love You 3:05
Woke Up This Morning 2:58
Please Love Me 2:51
Blind Love 3:05
You Upset Me Baby 3:03
Every Day I Have The Blues 2:50
Ten Long Years 2:50
Crying Won't Help You 3:02
Did You Ever Love A Woman 2:35
Bad Luck 2:56
Sweet Little Angel (1957) 3:04
Why I Sing The Blues 2:53
Worry Worry 2:51
Sweet Sixteen (Parts 1 & 2) 6:21
My Own Fault (Aka It's My Fault) (1960) 3:41
Good Man Gone Bad 2:50
I'll Survive 2:45
Walking Dr. Bill 3:47
You're Breaking My Heart 4:18
Gonna Miss You Around Here 2:59
Downhearted (Aka How Blue Can You Get) 3:16
Ain't Nobody's Business 3:06
Rock Me Baby 3:00
Disc 2 Memphis Blues 'N' Boogie
B.B. Boogie 3:13
Mistreated Woman 2:52
The Other Night Blues 3:43
Walkin' And Cryin' 3:29
My Baby's Gone 2:03
Don't You Want A Man Like Me 2:22
She's Dynamite 2:31
B.B. Blues 2:28
A New Way Of Driving 1:57
Questionnaire Blues 2:59
Hard Workin' Woman 2:35
She's A Mean Woman 2:34
Pray For You 2:28
That Ain't The Way To Do It 2:18
She Don't Move Me No More 3:12
Fine Lookin' Woman 2:23
My Own Fault Darlin' (Aka It's My Fault) (1952) 3:28
Shake It Up And Go 2:36
Gotta Find My Baby 2:26
Some Day, Somewhere 2:53
You Didn't Want Me 2:33
Story From My Heart And Soul 2:58
Boogie Woogie Woman 2:50
Highway Bound 2:47
Neighborhood Affair 2:58
Why Did You Leave Me 3:10
Praying To The Lord 2:50
Please Help Me 3:16
Disc 3 Take A Swing With Me
Love You Baby (AKA Take A Swing With Me) 2:40
When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer 2:55
The Woman I Love 2:40
Everything I Do Is Wrong 2:26
Whole Lotta Love 3:09
Boogie Rock (AKA House Rocker) 3:02
Dark Is The Night, Pt. 1 2:37
Dark Is The Night, Pt. 2 2:44
Let's Do The Boogie 2:27
Sweet Little Angel (1956) 3:13
Confessin' The Blues 2:54
Baby, Look At You 3:09
You Don't Know 2:26
Be Careful With A Fool 2:52
Recession Blues 2:22
Days Of Old 2:29
You Know I Go For You 2:40
Don't Look Now, But I've Got The Blues 2:43
Sweet Thing 3:04
I've Got Papers On You, Baby 2:22
Tomorrow Is Another Day 2:57
Sneakin' Around 3:03
Please Accept My Love 2:34
Early In The Morning 2:35
On My Word Of Honor 2:56
Don't Get Around Much Anymore 3:15
Why Not 2:09
Precious Lord 3:23
Disc 4 King Of The Blues
I'm King 2:22
Baby Please Don't Go 2:33
Mean Old Frisco 2:34
I've Got A Right To Love My Baby 3:15
Fishin' After Me (Aka Catfish Blues) 2:32
Partin' Time 3:01
Bad Luck Soul 2:18
You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now 5:14
Get Out Of Here 2:40
Hold That Train 3:57
Bad Case Of Love 2:20
Let Me Love You 3:05
Mashed Potato Twist 2:28
Got 'Em Bad 2:58
Christmas Celebration 2:39
Down Now 3:03
Beautician Blues 2:00
The Worst Thing In My Life 3:49
Blue Shadows 3:48
It's A Mean World 2:33
Five Long Years 3:29
Make Me Blue 2:23
Blues Stay Away From Me 3:07
Long Gone Baby 2:18
The Jungle 3:14
That Evil Child 3:52

"Classic Masters" (Capital 2002)

1 Three O'Clock Blues
2 You Know I Love You
3 Woke Up This Morning (My Baby She Was Gone)
4 Please Hurry Home
5 Please Love Me
6 You Upset Me Baby
7 Everyday (I Have The Blues)
8 Bad Luck
9 Sweet Little Angel
10 On My Word Of Honor
11 Sweet Sixteen (Part 1 & 2)
12 Peace Of Mind

"The Modern Recordings 1950-51" (Ace 2002)

1-1 Mistreated Woman (Take 1) 2:52
1-2 Mistreated Woman (Take 2) 2:53
1-3 B. B. Boogie (Take 1) 3:13
1-4 B. B. Boogie (Take 2) 3:22
1-5 The Other Night Blues (Take 1) 3:46
1-6 The Other Night Blues (Take 2) 3:43
1-7 The Other Night Blues (Take 3) 2:53
1-8 Walkin' And Cryin' (Take 1) 3:30
1-9 Walkin' And Cryin' (Take 2) 2:58
1-10 Walkin' And Cryin' (Take 3) 2:55
1-11 My Baby's Gone 2:03
1-12 Don't You Want A Man Like Me (Take 1) 2:24
1-13 Don't You Want A Man Like Me (Take 2) 2:23
1-14 Questionnaire Blues 3:01
1-15 B. B. Blues (incomplete take) 2:15
1-16 B. B. Blues (Take 2) 2:33
1-17 B. B. Blues (Take 3) 2:28
2-1 A New Way Of Driving 1:58
2-2 Fine Lookin' Woman (Take 1) 2:20
2-3 Fine Lookin' Woman (Take 2) 2:24
2-4 Fine Lookin' Woman (Take 3) 2:32
2-5 Shake It Up And Go 2:37
2-6 She's Dynamite 2:32
2-7 She's A Mean Woman (Take 1) 2:32
2-8 She's A Mean Woman (Take 2) 3:30
2-9 Hard Workin' Woman (Take 1) 2:58
2-10 Hard Workin' Woman (Take 2) 2:55
2-11 Pray For You (Take 1) 2:03
2-12 Pray For You (Take 2) 2:24
2-13 3 O'Clock Blues 2:23
2-14 That Ain't The Way To Do It (Take 1) 3:01
2-15 That Ain't The Way To Do It (Take 2) 2:15
2-16 She Don't Move Me No More 2:33

"Reflections" (MCA 2003)

Exactly Like You 3:21
On My Word Of Honor 3:22
I Want A Little Girl 2:48
I'll String Along With You 3:31
I Need You 3:03
A Mother's Love 2:59
(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons 3:31
Neighborhood Affair 4:27
Tomorrow Night 3:38
There I've Said It Again 3:30
Always On My Mind 3:57
Cross My Heart 4:29
What A Wonderful World 3:57

"Martin Scorcese Presents: B.B. King" (Hip-O 2003)

Three O'Clock Blues 3:02
Everyday I Have The Blues 2:49
Sneakin' Around 2:07
How Blue Can You Get? 2:42
Don't Answer The Door 5:11
Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 2:35
The Thrill Is Gone 5:26
Ain't Nobody Home 3:15
Don't You Lie To Me 6:13
Inflation Blues 4:14
Playin' With My Friends 5:19
I'll Survive 4:51

"80" (Geffen 2005)

1 Early In The Morning
Featuring – Van Morrison
2 Tired Of Your Jive
Featuring – Billy F Gibbons*
3 The Thrill Is Gone
Featuring – Eric Clapton
4 Need Your Love So Bad
Featuring – Sheryl Crow
5 Ain't Nobody Home
Featuring – Daryl Hall
6 Hummingbird
Featuring – John Mayer
7 All Over Again
Featuring – Mark Knopfler
8 Drivin' Wheel
Featuring – Glenn Frey
9 There Must Be A Better World Somewhere
Featuring – Gloria Estefan
10 Never Make Your Move Too Soon
Featuring – Roger Daltrey
11 Funny How Time Slips Away
Featuring – Bobby Bland
12 Rock This House
Featuring – Elton John
13 Early In The Morning (Alternate Take - B.B. Solo) 3:57

** No this is not B.B.'s 80th album of new material it's his age and this octogenarian invited a plethora of friends to help him celebrate on this Geffen Records release. Perhaps it would be cynical of me to suspect the parties involved got a case of green gozangas when they saw soundscan totals of Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company" (over 3 million) last year. Plus, in fairness, B.B. has already released two duet albums back in the 90s, "Deuces Wild" & "Blues Summit". So "80", number 3, is what it is- a polished, commercial electric blues album of duets. The guest list includes some names you wouldn't expect- Sheryl Crow, Gloria Estefan, Elton John, Glenn Frey, etc and some you're instantly glad to see- Bobby "Blue" Bland, Eric Clapton, Bill Gibbons (of ZZ Top), Van Morrison. The playlist is predictably King standards from throughout his 50-plus year career. It's a mixed bag but the album definitely has it's moments. Soulman Daryl Hall is terrific in his duet with B.B. on "Ain't Nobody Home". The piano boogie "Rock This House" with Elton John is a whole lotta fun and the reunion of King with Bland is naturally an overdue welcome. The titans do a laidback, mature reading of "Funny How Time Slips Away". The Who's Roger Daltrey adds his crunchy, weathered vocals to "Never Make A Move Too Soon" and the ever respectful Eric Clapton joins B.B. again for "The Thrill Is Gone". King's vocal is incredibly strong on this cut- can he really be 80?!? As expected there's some awkward moments like Crow's wimpy vocal on "Need Your Love So Bad", the interminable "There Must Be A Better World Somewhere" with Gloria Estefan, which drags on for seven-plus minutes (Being that B.B. did a ripping duet with Dr. John of this cut on "Deuces Wild" it's inclusion here is annoying) and the flat take of "Hummingbird" with John Mayer. All in all it's so-so B.B. But, hey, we got plenty of great music from the guy so he has every right to coast.

"The Ultimate Collection" (Geffen 2005)

1. Three O'Clock Blues
2. Please Love Me
3. You Upset Me Baby
4. Sweet Sixteen, Parts One & Two
5. Rock Me Baby
6. How Blue Can You Get?
7. Every Day I Have the Blues - (live, live)
8. Sweet Little Angel - (live, live)
9. Don't Answer the Door
10. Paying the Cost to Be the Boss
11. Thrill Is Gone, The
12. Nobody Loves Me But My Mother
13. Chains and Things
14. Ain't Nobody Home
15. I Like to Live the Love
16. Never Make a Move Too Soon
17. Better Not Look Down
18. There Must Be a Better World Somewhere
19. When Love Comes to Town - (7" Version)
20. Ten Long Years
21. I'll Survive

"Original Greatest Hits" (Virgin 2005)

Disc: 1
1. 3 O'Clock Blues
2. Blind Love
3. She's Dynamite
4. You Know I Love You
5. Please Love Me
6. Story Fom My Heart And Soul
7. The Woman I Love
8. Neighborhood Affair
9. When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer
10. Every Day I Have The Blues
11. Love You Baby (Take A Swing With Me)
12. Ten Long Years
13. You Upset Me, Baby
14. Boogie Rock (House Rocker)
15. Crying Won't Help You
16. Bad Luck
17. Did You Ever Love A Woman
18. You Don't Know
19. Sweet Little Angel
20. On My Word Of Honor
Disc: 2
1. Be Careful With A Fool
2. Please Accept My Love
3. Days Of Old
4. Worry, Worry
5. Confessin' The Blues
6. Sweet Sixteen Parts 1 & 2
7. Ain't Nobody's Business
8. Walkin' Dr. Bill
9. My Own Fault
10. You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
11. Downhearted (How Blue Can You Get?)
12. I'll Survive
13. Mashed Potato Twist
14. Down Now
15. Peace Of Mind
16. That Evil Child
17. Blues Stay Away From Me
18. Rock Me Baby
19. Miss Martha King
20. When Your Baby Packs Up And Goes

***** There has been no shortage of compilations of B.B. King's music- hits, rarities, box sets, label best ofs, etc...but there hasn't been a thorough collection of King's 50s and early 60s sides for RPM and Kent in one serving. There are two solid single disc comps for each label (Ace Records' "His RPM Hits 1951-1957" & "The Best Of The Kent Singles 1958-1971") that together are more comprehensive but this 2 CD 40-track package succinctly collects the best and even throws in his debut single on Bullet: "Miss Martha King" and B-side "When Your Baby Packs Up And Goes". The original single versions of such B.B. classics like "3 O'Clock Blues," "Every Day I Have the Blues," "You Upset Me, Baby," "Piece Of Mind", "Rock Me Baby", "Please Accept My Love" "Sweet Little Angel," "Sweet Sixteen," "My Own Fault" and "Downhearted (aka How Blue Can You Get?)" are here and many more. You simply cannot say you have a good blues collection without these songs. Completists may want to pick up all the re-issued individual albums being released on cd as we speak.

"Gold" (Geffen 2006)

1. How Blue Can You Get?
2. Sneakin' Around
3. Help the Poor
4. Stop Leadin' Me On
5. Never Trust a Woman
6. Every Day I Have the Blues - (live at the Regal)
7. Sweet Little Angel - (live at the Regal)
8. All Over Again
9. Don't Answer the Door
10. Gambler's Blues
11. Sweet Sixteen, Parts One & Two - (Parts One & Two)
12. Paying the Cost to Be the Boss
13. Lucille
14. Why I Sing the Blues
15. Please Accept My Love
16. Thrill Is Gone, The
17. Nobody Loves Me But My Mother
18. Hummingbird
19. Chains and Things

DISC 2:
1. Ain't Nobody Home
2. Ghetto Woman
3. I Got Some Help I Don't Need
4. Guess Who
5. To Know You Is to Love You
6. I Like to Live the Love
7. Let the Good Times Roll
8. Never Make Your Move Too Soon
9. Better Not Look Down
10. There Must Be a Better World Somewhere
11. Into the Night
12. When It Comes to Town - (7" version, featuring U2)
13. Call It Stormy Monday - (featuring Albert Collins)
14. Playing With My Friends - (featuring Robert Cray)
15. I'll Survive

"Live" (Geffen 2007)

1. Mr. King Comes on Stage
2. Why I Sing the Blues
3. I Need You So
4. Bad Case of Love
5. Blues Man
6. When Love Comes to Town
7. All Over Again
8. You Are My Sunshine
9. Rock Me Baby
10. Key to the Highway
11. Thrill Is Gone, The
12. When the Saints Go Marching In

"One Kind Favor" (Geffen 2008)

1. See That My Grave Is Kept Clean
2. I Get So Weary
3. Get These Blues Off Me
4. How Many More Years
5. Waiting For Your Call
6. My Love Is Down
7. World Gone Wrong, The
8. Blues Before Sunrise
9. Midnight Blues
10. Backwater Blues
11. Sitting On Top Of The World
12. Tomorrow Night

****1/2 "One Kind Favor" ended up being the King's last studio album of new material and he went out on a high note for certain. Less polished on purpose by producer T-Bone Burnett these tracks sound rustic and weary to the bone (no pun intended). It's a bit ominous to hear King sing lines like "There's just one kind favor I'll ask of you/You can see that my grave is kept clean/And my heart stopped beating and my hands turned cold/Now I believe what the Bible told" from Blind Lemon Jefferson's "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" considering he must have known he was in his twilight years. King's skills are as sharp as they always were and the record one the Grammy for "Best Traditional Blues Abum"

"Live At The BBC" (Hip-O/Universal 2009)

1. Caldonia
2. I Like To Live The Love
3. Night Life
4. When It All Comes Down (I'll Still Be Around)
5. Thrill Is Gone, The
6. I Gotta Move Out Of This Neighborhood
7. When Love Comes To Town
8. Let The Good Times Roll
9. Stormy Monday Blues
10. Ain't Nobody Home
11. Five Long Years
12. How Blue Can You Get?
13. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss
14. Thrill Is Gone, The

"Live In Africa '74" DVD (Shout Factory 2009)

****1/2 Here we have captured on video the undisputed "King Of the Blues" playing to a crowd of more than 80,000 people in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) during an historic week leading up to the "Rumble In The Jungle", a championship boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Forman. Notably, this concert was filmed by Leon Gast, the director of "When We Were Kings", an Academy Award-winning documentary on this legendary match and cultural event. Quite the setting indeed.

Firstly, before I continue, I must confess ever since I can remember I've been an Albert King man. Always loved B.B. but Albert was the "king" with me when it comes to the Blues- a perfect combination of smoky Soul vocals and icy Blues guitar. That said, B.B., truly is the king live (and co-fave) and he leaves no doubt during this performance in front of an enthusiastic crowd, which included Ali, Don King (and very likely Forman and James Brown). There's barely any introduction before B.B. confidently strolls to center stage picking a few guitar licks and then leading into a song from his most recent album, "To Know You Is To Love You". B.B. was at one of his commercial peaks at this point. The song ("To Love You") had hit #12 R&B and #38 Pop on the charts while another single from the LP, "I Like To Live The Love", did even better at #6 R&B and #28 Pop. Soon as he opens his mouth it's exceedingly apparent he's in fine voice this evening. He really lets those raspy vocals roar on the next number, "I Got Some Outside Help I Don't Really Need" (annoyingly mis-titled on the DVD case as "I Believe To My Soul"), a slow, humorous Blues . It isn't said often enough but King possessed one of the greatest male voices of the modern era, a razor-sharp, Soulful wail that could be tempered with a softer, melodic croon. He uses both tonight all the while interjecting his tasty, economical, laconic guitar fills. Part of the fun is watching King's face, famously full of expression. He doesn't disappoint here. He unequivocally FEELS it. Joy, pain, the groove, the Blues. When King is on stage he gives his all and leaves it all out there when he's done, not a second devoid of energy and passion.

It's a riveting show. Just the hits ("The Thrill Is Gone", "Sweet Sixteen", more). My only complaint? It's not long enough! The performance is just shy of 43 minutes but, fortunately, each and all minutes are stellar. So when I first purchased this DVD I played it three times in a row giddy, grinning like a moron throughout at how great it is to watch the master in all his glory. See, there's plenty of B.B. King DVDs on the market but precious few from younger days. B.B. was a mere 49 at the time. It's the first time I've seen him pre-1990. While he was great until the very end it's a thrill seeing him lean, mean and in his prime.

Something else I want to mention about this viewing experience. Something happened in the middle of my third viewing. I was suddenly struck by just how monumental this night was. Sure, it was a series of music performances (occasionally dubbed the "black Woodstock") including B.B. and James Brown leading up to a mega-hyped title bout, but what shook me was something more seismic. Here we have the greatest Blues musician in front of 80,000 people (including the strikingly handsome Ali at his prime whom the camera showcases at least once) playing the Blues...in Africa. It's hard not to recall the horrible truth that B.B.'s ancestors were once unlawfully taken hostage and enslaved not that terribly long ago from this very continent. I posit it's without debate the Blues got it's start on American cotton fields by African slaves. History has since proven so-called "African Americans" went on to create the most popular and most lucrative music forms of modern times from the Blues, Soul to Rock & Roll, Jazz and Hip Hop. It's "black music". It's "African American music". It was the children of slaves that went on to change America and the world. And on this evening we have three black men, "African Americans" (B.B., Ali, Forman), all descendants of African slaves, returning to Africa as kings ("When We Were Kings"). Most remarkable we have the King of the Blues himself playing this creation, the Blues, for free men and women in Africa. In one of the songs, the classic "Why I Sing The Blues", B.B. sings:

"Everybody wanna know why I sing the Blues/I've been around a long time/I've really paid my dues/When I first got the Blues they brought me over on a ship/There were men standing over me and a lot more with a whip".

I paused the DVD in awe for a moment....before reality came crashing down. While B.B. didn't sing those lines with any particular emphasis it's still a powerful moment and a timely one. Earlier this month it was widely reported a sitting American president allegedly made "racist" remarks that left little doubt we still have so far to go when it comes to race. But I cheered up again when I remembered he'll one day be gone and "African Americans", black persons in general, and their (and now all of our by adoption) culture and their gift, the Blues, will continue on until time indefinite. Mr. Gast please re-title your documentary to "When We Were, Are And Will Continue To Be Kings".

  "On Stage With Lucille" (Blues Blvd 2010)

Recorded live on January 28, 1983, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France reissued as "Thrill Of The Blues" in 2012

"Live" (Image Ent 2011)

1. Everyday I Have the Blues
2. See That My Grave Is Kept Clean
3. How Many More Years
4. Downhearted
5. I Need You So
6. I Got Some Help I Don't Need
7. Thrill Is Gone, The
8. Nobody Loves Me But My Mother
9. Let the Good Times Roll
10. Thrill Is Gone, The
11. When the Saints Go Marching In
12. Key to the Highway

"The Best Of The RPM Kent Recordings" (Rockbeat 2011)

Disc: 1
1. She's Dynamite
2. 3 O'Clock Blues
3. Fine Lookin' Woman
4. You Know I Love You
5. Boogie Woogie Woman
6. Story from My Heart and Soul
7. Woke Up This Morning
8. Please Love Me
9. Please Hurry Home
10. When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer
11. You Upset My Baby
12. Whole Lotta Love
13. Sneakin' Around
14. Every Day I Have the Blues
15. Ten Long Years
16. Crying Won't Help You
Disc: 2
1. Did You Ever Love a Woman
2. Dark Is the Night, Pt. 1
3. Dark Is the Night, Pt. 2
4. Sweet Little Angel
5. Bad Luck
6. Troubles, Troubles, Troubles
7. I Wonder
8. Please Accept My Love
9. Mean Old Frisco
10. Sweet Sixteen, Pts.1-2
11. Got a Right to Love My Baby
12. Rock Me Baby
13. Beautician Blues
14. Blue Shadows
15. Eyesight to the Blind

"Live At The Royal Albert Hall 2011" (Geffen 2012)

1. I Need You So
2. Key To the Highway
3. See That My Grave is Kept Clean
4. All Over Again
5. Rock Me Baby
6. You Are My Sunshine
7. B.B. Jams With Guests
8. Thrill is Gone, The
9. Guess Who
10. When the Saints Go Marching In

"The Life Of Riley (Soundtrack)" (Geffen 2012)

1-1 Walking Dr. Bill (Live On "GTK" Australia, March 18, 1974) 5:21
1-2 Nobody Loves Me But My Mother 1:29
1-3 I'll Survive 2:41
1-4 To Know You Is To Love You 8:37
1-5 Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 2:35
1-6 Miss Martha King 2:43
1-7 3 O'Clock Blues 3:02
1-8 You Know I Love You 3:06
1-9 Sweet Little Angel 3:13
1-10 Catfish Blues (Fishin' After Me) 2:31
1-11 Every Day I Have The Blues (Recorded Live At The Regal Theater) 2:38
1-12 How Blue Can You Get? (Recorded Live At The Regal Theater) 3:38
1-13 Chains And Things 4:55
2-1 The Thrill Is Gone 5:25
2-2 Humingbird 4:38
2-3 Caldonia 4:00
2-4 Sweet Sixteen (Live In Africa, 1974) 6:11
2-5 Hold On (I Feel Our Love Is Changing) 4:11
2-6 When Love Comes To Town 4:19
2-7 Riding With The King 4:25
2-8 Messy But Good 2:36
2-9 Worried Dream 2:56
2-10 Precious Lord 3:23
2-11 On My Word Of Honor 2:56
2-12 Tired Of Your Jive 2:11
2-13 Think It Over 2:50

"Thrill Of The Blues" (Blues Blvd 2012)

Recorded live on January 28, 1983, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France previously released as "On Stage With Lucille" in 2010

1. B.B. s Theme
2. The Thrill Is Gone
3. Guess Who
4. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss
5. All Over Again
6. Every Day I Have The Blues
7. Sweet Little Angel
8. Why I Sing The Blues
9. Darling You Know I Love You
10. Caldonia
11. Jam

"Ladies & Gentlemen....Mr. B.B. King" (UME 2012)