Posted on 04/07/2014 8:35:15 AM PDT by raccoonradio
B.B. King has spent decades singing “The Thrill Is Gone.” Perhaps at long last it actually is. Make no mistake: King is a living legend, a national treasure, and the sobriquet “king of the blues” is not mere wordplay, but a title earned. To be in the same room as him and breathe the same air is an honor and a privilege.
But for the majority of King’s concert at the Peabody Opera House on Friday night, the sizeable crowd could have been excused for thinking that’s all they were going to get.
King’s shows in recent years have featured as much talk as playing, and the 88-year-old musician is obviously slowing down, just as anyone would. But the balance slipped way out of proportion at this show. King sat center stage and spoke, sometimes in non sequiturs, sometimes inaudibly. He flirted with women in the first few rows and made a few ribald comments, without apology. “I like to have fun,” he said. “I love who I am and what I do.”
For a while, the audience was with him, laughing at his jokes and asides. But it was 45 minutes into the show before King performed anything resembling a song. Even then, his playing was shaky. He explained that he and the band had been off for two months, causing him to lose confidence.
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
Even many years ago I wondered what was going on with B.B. King. You would have thought that such a great guitarist would have more variation and spontaneity in his performances.
I don’t go to these old bird shows for the performance quality. You go to see a piece of musical history that will soon be gone. Chuck Berry still does shows but no more duck walks from him.
I've seen some retrospective (or biographical) shows like this from a number of performers (sometimes even with a slideshow or video montage). Not necessarily a bad thing, as long and the audience understands that's what they are getting. Sometimes it's just a chance to say "so long" or "goodbye".
Video/Film performances will live on.
I just took my daughter to see him March 1st in Salem Oregon. The man played great and I honestly think his voice sounds better now. He was pure class, his stories and jokes were great. He signed guitars for free and even had a young kid join him on stage for a song. Second best concert I have been too right after Robert Plant/Alison Krauss Raising Sands tour in Sweethome Oregon.
He was thrilled to get a chance to wait on her and her husband Gary Morton at an upscale restaurant.
When the waiter asked what she would like, her husband said, "She'll have the steak."
"How would you like that done, Miss Ball?" the waiter asked. She never looked up.
"She doesn't speak to the help" said Morton.
I believe this story. She was a nasty piece of work.
Many years ago, I saw Eubie Blake on the old Merv Griffin show.
Eubie was in his 90s. The interview was painful and he was very confused. Finally, he waved Merv away and said, “Maybe I should just play.”
And he played brilliantly.
“There comes a time when performers have to realize...it’s not ‘there’ anymore...”
With guys like BB King, there comes a time when the audience needs to just quit being pricks, sit back, and enjoy the 90 minutes of whatever he can give them. And St Louis,,,, Im about 99% sure that I KNOW the problem that night, though it can not be openly named.
Eeech, Cerebral Flatulence, I saw him with my father in 2008 when he was 92.
You're right - thanks for sharing.
At a point, the band behind BB and BB singing is part of the show.
“What the #@$# is James talking about?”
“I don’t know but we’re getting paid, keep singing,”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLVmw81qDSA
Years ago Ella Fitzgerald came to play in Buffalo. The day of the performance I was talking to the critic that was reviewing the show. He said that he had most of the review written before the performance. I opined that this seemed a touch dishonest. He said the woman is 70 years old and the Queen of Jazz. The very least I can do is give her the kindest review possible due a person of her stature.
Funny thing is, the way I heard it, the screams, wails, etc. in concert were fines being levied on the musicians for being too loud, out of step, etc.
Fred Cole eventually got tired of James' rules and quit for George Clinton. James would give them the suits but then they'd have to pay for the dry cleaning every show which ate up the gig money they were paid.
Thankfully....
Yep, and James would fine band members for any mistake, he’d give a certain look during the song that told them they screwed up and they were going to pay for it.
I saw him perhaps 10 years ago or so.
He still “had it” then. But he spent more time talking than playing.
Someone (Zappa? Van Halen? I don’t recall who) said that music critics often write about themselves more than the musician/album they are reviewing anyway.
Bet 99% of the rude ones were those typical self-important 20-something college age pricks, and recent graduates who are told all day long how “important” they are.
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