B.B. King Murat Theatre

B.B. King either should perform
or lay Lucille to rest

A legend in his own time, B.B. King, now 83 years old, has recorded a myriad of songs during his 60 or so years as a blues singer and guitarist. In fact, between 1951 and 1985, he had 74 entries on Billboard Magazine’s Rhythm and Blues charts.

Probably no guitarist has ever had a greater influence on up and coming guitarists than B.B. King has had. Voice of America, a government-funded media center that has transmitted American music around the world since 1942, played King’s songs during the ‘50s and ‘60s, leading to the British music invasion in the United States during the sixties.

No guitarist can play like King, and I, too, have been amazed since I was a teenager with the skill and grace he exudes as a musical performer. So I was thrilled to see him perform at the Murat Theatre.

The opening act was Marie Gabrielle, a singer/guitarist, who provided a tasteful beginning for King.

After a brief intermission, King’s eight-piece band played two opening instrumentals. He walked out on stage wearing a brightly colored jacket over his formal attire and performed “Let the Good Times Roll.”

Suddenly, he started reminiscing about his pas,t which consisted of humorous advice. While he talked, the band played some 12-bar blues riffs in the background. Occasionally, King sang a few phrases and played those piercing blues notes, but the music stopped after his first song.

Two hours later, he launched into his 1970 smash hit “The Thrill Is Gone” for a minute. That was it — one minute. It was a shame, because King still has that powerful, gritty voice and can still translate his feelings to that guitar. I still love the man and his music, but the concert was disappointing.

by Kim Hurst