I love BB King's philosophy on playing the guitar. He does not attempt to overwhelm his audience with a ton of notes, but instead picks the melodies and licks he wants to use extremely carefully and with "soul". Through his guitar, perhaps, we were allowed to glimpse into his personality.
9californication Our job as guitarists, and as musicians in general, is to let everyone know both the joy and pain that is in our souls. Every time we play, we should be telling our story with no words, allowing all who hear to look into our hearts and to become as possessed by our music as we are
Extremely carefully? I came here to to try to change my long standing opinion that he is overrated. My opinion remains the same. He is sloppy. While he was a good singer, his guitar skills sucked.
If you read any further on to this you will see where someone or should I say some idiot said that BB playing is extremely sloppy well I don't know who he is and I know that he sounds like he plays that's what I mean plays because so many of these guys got into the guitar or should I say that play the guitar that's all they do is play because if it wasn't for all this stuff Wawa feedback and everything else they wouldn't I don't like s*** because that's all they're doing is listening to garbage do it without all that equipment and all that junk and let's see how you sound then BB didn't use any of that stuff he was natural and as far as the way that he played and did his face to be honest when you a guitar picker like myself picking guitar is better then getting a good piece of ass that's why we frown and look ugly and we getting down play on BB play on my man
Love how he handles the bad note he played at 0:48. "If you make a mistake, just make sure to make the same mistake twice and people will think it was intentionally".
If you have seen B.B. live, there are lots of clams. It doesn't matter unless you're a guitar purist. He put so much energy through his playing that minor errors did not affect the music at all. The vast majority of his playing was directly connected to his emotional state, and so few players can claim this, that minor technical errors just show how profound the vast majority of his playing was.
Excellent band leader and I always watch his in character band directing. And sound quality in person was never a problem. Got to know some of the band members and meet BB twice. Real professionals. Saw him live in the 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000's. RIP BB.
The older I get the more I appreciate B.B. He doesn't just play generic licks to fill space. He plays with intent and purpose. And his singing can melt stone.
I've been playing for over 30 years and I'm still humbled everytime I hear BB play. Anyone can play a blues scale but how many people can make you cry with one note?
Going through the comments, I thought his music put a tear in eye..it make me reflect on the trials and tribulations of life, ups and downs hardships and joys of the world and the people there of!!!!!!!
Yes, I watched BB in his earliest of days, playing on campus at Memphis State U. He would sit out on the lawn in the hot Delta sunshine, & play for hours, and hours.... we were so blessed! One roommate said, " who's this guy?" THATS BB KING! HE'LL BE REAL FAMOUS ONE DAY! Yes, true.... now I am 69 yrs old. My 35 yr old son just called and had purchased this album!! ❤ Imagine my Honor for the King! Watched his life come full circle for me now... Yes, The Legend! 😂 ....passed on to my son! so proud!
In the summer of 1972, I was 14 years old and went to my first concert. BB King was playing a small theatre in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. After the show, my friend and I went back stage to look around. In one of the tiny rooms, sat the Blues Boy himself, lovingly wiping down Lucille. He invited us in and we sat and talked to him for a good 30 minutes. He was nothing but kind to two young, White teenagers, giving us autographs and embossed guitar picks. I’d been taping the show on a small portable recorder and recorded it all and our conversation . Unfortunately, in one of my many moves over the years, I lost the tape sometime in the late 90’s. R.I.P. Blues Boy King. 💙 🎸
Everyone's talking about the well sustained note at 3:00 but I'm more gripped by that gorgeous turnaround lick at 0:55. Golly gosh goodness wow, I want that lick
if you want to figure out the phrasing, the notes are the 4th note of this scale (pentatonic) then a half step below the root note then the root note all on the higher octave obviously
This is some of the most extraordinary playing by B.B. I’ve ever heard - despite the goofs/tuning issues. He was in another zone this night. I’ll definitely be watching this multiple times. What a genius. Thanks, B.B. 🙏
I am in my teen age Many of my friends are into pop music But for me blues hit different.... I wish you was alive today and I could watch you perform live somewhere 😭 Love you king 👑
For the first few minutes, I thought whats the big deal? Other players have had better tone. But then a subtle turn of the volume knob at 3:00 changes EVERYTHING... I used to read that BB could say a lot more with one note than other players could say in a thousand and they ain't kidding. Now I've witnessed it.
Before I listened to blues I never rated BB King, or most blues players for that matter. I used to think metal guitarists were the best, boy was I wrong. As I got older I learned to appreciate blues, and in my opinion feel is more important than technique or virtuosity. Even something as technical as jazz or classical is boring without the right feel. Jimi Hendrix once said "The blues is easy to play, but hard to feel" I think most people misinterpret what he said. Blues is easy to understand, makes sense to the ear, and usually follows the same chord pattern. It's easy to learn the notes you can play. But it's actually very hard to make it sound good, or impressive. That's the challenge when playing the blues and where feel comes in.
+Michael Holmes The big deal with the first 3 minutes - apart from it being some great playing with a perfectly appropriate tone - is that it sets you up for that big note at 3:00. Without the long slow build, there would be no build up of tension and anticipation, and no big drama and release when he hits us at 3:00. A device of which B was a master, of course.
@@L3ONARDO07 man this is story of my life, when I started my journey in the blues, this is what overwhelms me, man every time I listen to bb specially here the 60s stuff, he was at his peak, this makes me blue every time I listen to it, musically this is the purest and sweetest... man the words are so fragile to describe, man this is the blues.
Lyrics I've got a sweet little angel I love the way she spreads her wings Yes, got a sweet little angel I love the way she spread her wings Yes, when she spreads her wings around me, people I get so hot and everything You know, I ask my baby for a nickel And she gave me a twenty-dollar bill Oh yes, I asked my baby for a nickel And she gave me a twenty-dollar bill Well, you know I ask her for a little drink of liquer And she gave me a whiskey still Oh yeah, if my baby quit me Lord, I do believe I would die Oh yeah, if my baby should quit me Lord, I do believe I would die Lord, if you don't love me, little angel Please tell me the reason why
This video is an upfront lesson on the power of using dynamics when soloing. The patience, the phrasing, the space, all leading to the build-up. Few Blues guitarists ever did it better than Mr. King; in fact, I would dare say that many of them probably learned it FROM HIM. Respect and RIP.
Every note that emanates from his body means absolutely everything. They don't come from a string on a fretboard, or his vocal chords, they come from his very soul.
His vibrato probably plays a large part, and during similar moments in other videos I've seen him adjust the volume/tone dials on Lucille. I'd like to learn exactly how he does it though, if someone knows more about the King's magic.
The fans think the song is over before the lyrics even begin, I love blues music and the way BB King hits those long never ending notes just does it for me.. notes like a fortnight
B.B. King never fails to play chord/note progression that makes me screw up my face. What a friggin BEAST he was when it came to blues. RIP to the King of Blues ❤️
Jozef Joze not sure what cocky has anything to do....with anything...every guitar player messes up every now and then. BB King quote "I have dumb fingers...I don't have the chops some of these other guys do." So again, where was he being cocky?
This man loved to play the guitar. You could see in his face that he loved to play that damn instrument. I bet he played for hours all alone and got into it just as hard
Everything about this is superb. The opening solos, the singing and the horn arrangements. And B. B. was so great at dramatizing his songs with his facial expressions. He always gave us 100% heart and soul along with impeccable professionalism in every detail and that pure clear tone in both his singing and guitar.
Truly a talent that will never be forgotten. Many of my favorite musical acts owe so much to this man and for damn good reason. A true legend in music history that will continue to live on in the hearts of myself and many others for generations to come.
Listen to the note that he bends, vibrates, holds, bends again, starting at 03:00. Watch his face. This is blues like no one else can. Thank you for the lesson Mr King.
The BEST. Saw him 3x... got to meet him backstage 2x. I have a cassette of Mr. King and myself where he spoke some promotional lines for a Blues Radio show I had in the late 90's. Greatest thrill of my life meeting such a genuine, caring, talented man. THE BEST EVER.
Long live bb king Altho he’s gone so what he lives on inspired me to pick up a guitar at age 1. I saw him play without strumming and he did make his guitar speak on strings and vibrations alone. 👍
Maravilhosa são as músicas do B.B. King, trazem paz e harmonia ao meu coração, além de me darem a calma que necessito muitas vezes. É raro achar pessoa no Brasil de bom gosto musical, como o meu....
A guitarra é como se fosse parte dele,e as expressões faciais que ele faz...cara,Blues é a união do concreto e do abstrato.Corpo e alma na mesma frequência.E B.B king é a prova do que eu digo.
We lose another great legend. Rest in Peace my dear B.B King. So glad I got a chance to fall in love with your music before you passed away. The way you toured the continents and hit those blues notes till the age of 89, I don't think anyone can or ever will. You gave us Santana, John Mayer, Derek Trucks, Gary Clark jr. and so many more great artists. The world has so much to thank you for, we shall remember you. Now you can finally jam with SRV, Albert King and Mr. Collins again
RIP B.B. King The world just lost another blues legend and the big guy just gained another angel. Time to play that great big gig in the sky with SRV Muddy Howlin wolf Albert king and many many more. Thank you for all your great music throughout the years. May you Rest In Paradise 🎸🙏🎸
no puedo creer que haya pasado 34 años de mi vida sin escuchar esta maravilla, que pasión en una sola canción, con poca letra y pocos instrumentos este hombre logra cautivar el corazon bb king ten por seguro que tu legado se lo transmitire a mi hija ya que ella es mi sweet little angel grande master
BB the world's GREATEST BLUES MAN. We, the world will miss YOU and LUCILLE so very much. I know you've now joined that fantastic HEAVENLY CHOIR. Rest In Peace - your hard days are over. ♥
I would say most if not all guitarists make faces when playing. It helps with the expression. With BB King he appears to be having a full on conversation, argument, singing a song etc. His voice is/was killer.
this man was so cool, so soulful in his work and the reason the blues is in my life I’d be thrilled to play with a fraction of that skill but that may happen as I progress through practice and pray the Lord blesses me the skill to learn to play like this
R.I.P. B.B. You were a huge influence on me. Thanks for all the great music and for showing us how you don't have to be a flashy guitar player to be a great guitar player. You put more feeling in one note than most do with 100!
Çok hoş hissettiriyor. Blues öyle bir his oluşturuyor ki içimde yaşadığım için şükran duyuyorum. Allah'a şükürler olsun diyorum. Bana bu imkanı verdiği için. Tınısı, gitara eşlik eden bateri... Hepsi harika. Kendimi nevada çölündeki upuzun bir yolda görüyorum. Cabrio bir arabam var. Gün batmak üzere. Ve bu çalıyor. Ne de hoş ama...
.........IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME,PLEASE TELL ME THE REASON WHY.........WYS B.B.We all wanna know.One thing for Sho' Ms.Rona don't have ANY kind of love for NOBODY!SHE DON'T GIVE A CARE,AND DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE,EITHER!I'M still self Quarantining with B.B.,SAM,AL,OTIS,DONNY,ARETHA,ETTA,GLADYS AND Thanking God and these peeps for continuing to PULL me through,ba-bayyyyyyy.Thank you,Casey Grimes-Finley,Chicago,Illinois
