BB King‘s best studio album  “My Kind of Blues” is the seventh studio album by American bluesman B. B. King. According to biographer David McGee, the songs were recorded in 1958 at the Chess Records studios in Chicago.

However, researcher Colin Escott identifies the recordings as being from a March 3, 1960 session, when King was under contract to the Bihari brothers and recorded in the Los Angeles area. It was released on November 1, 1960 by Vee-Jay Records and went gold two months later; it reached platinum status in May 1962 and stayed on the Billboard charts for 35 weeks, selling over one million copies before being withdrawn from retail outlets in September 1961 due to Vee Jay’s financial troubles after the company filed for bankruptcy in July 1961, thus preventing its rerelease until February 1967.[3] After several years of near silence, “The Thrill Is Gone” (which King had previously recorded with Jerry Lee Lewis) became his first major hit song since 1956’s “Don’t Turn Me Around”. The song peaked at #13 on the Hot R&B Sides chart and #12 on the Billboard pop singles chart. The Bihari’s budget Crown Records issued the album in 1960. The liner notes contained a blurb about King’s “particular form of jazz . blues-belter extraordinary” and little else. McGee notes that King is backed by a small combo composed of pianist Lloyd Glenn, bassist Ralph Hamilton, and drummer Jessie Sailes (most of King’s recordings at the time included a horn section). Reception Allmusic critic Alex Henderson awarded the album four stars out of five, calling it “a rather casual affair… but nevertheless charming”. He praised King for his “incredible flexibility”, “masterful improvisation”, and “remarkable musicianship”.

They Don’t Make Blues Albums Like This Anymore

There’s a relaxed, almost after-hours feel to the proceedings emphasized by Glenn’s delicate piano work. Many of the songs are blues standards that have been covered by others, but in B.B.’s hands, they sound like true blues songs and it shows in his graceful and elegant performances. his may be the purest expression of King’s music, as exemplified on “Catfish Blues,” which is so dynamic it’s perhaps the definitive version of this standard. On “Lonesome Whistle Blues,” Bucky answers the call with powerful harmonica playing, and “When My Train Comes In” sees Bumble Bee shift gears into jazzier territory, complete with a horn section that seems to float over top of him, creating a stirring ballad whose textures were made richer by a live recording session at Lomax Studios in New York City in 1956, including no less than ten takes! The proceedings conclude with Bumble Bee’s “I Wonder If I Care As Much” (from 1944) which finds the guitarist entering into a tender duet with himself, singing a series of poignant lyrics that move from an introspective approach to a more reflective mode, with both instruments communicating their thoughts clearly throughout.

Track Listing

SIDE 1: 01 YOU DONE LOST YOUR GOOD THING NOW

02 MR. PAWNBROKER

03 UNDERSTAND

04 SOMEDAY BABY

05 DRIVING WHEEL

SIDE 2: 01 WALKING DR. BILL

02 MY OWN FAULT, BABY

03 CATFISH BLUES

04 HOLD THAT TRAIN

05 PLEASE SET THE DATE  

We made a playlist on the Dropkickblues YouTube page of all the songs.

Here’s a list of some of B.B. King’s live albums with brief descriptions:

1. Live & Well (BB King album)

   

   This album is a mix of live and studio recordings. The “live” side captures the energy of B.B. King’s performances, while the “well” side showcases his studio craftsmanship.

2. Live at San Quentin (BB King album)

   

   Recorded at the famous San Quentin State Prison, this album is particularly striking for the emotional intensity that comes from performing in such a unique setting.

3. Live at the Apollo (BB King album)

   

   This album captures the magic of a B.B. King performance at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. The energy of the audience is palpable, making it a memorable recording.

4. Live at the Regal (BB King 1965)

   

   Often cited as one of the greatest blues albums ever recorded, “Live at the Regal” is renowned for its extraordinary musicianship and electrifying atmosphere.

5. Live in Cook County Jail (BB King 1971)

   

   This album was recorded during a live performance at Cook County Jail and is notable for its raw energy and the unique environment in which it was captured.

6. Live in Japan (BB King 1971)

   

   • Recorded during King’s visit to Japan, this album captures the essence of his universal appeal. The live recording helps to translate the atmosphere of his concerts for audiences around the world.