B B King Ultimate Collection CD

Geffen's 21-track B.B. King compilation attempts the impossible--to provide a single-disc overview of the blues icon. Arranged chronologically, THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION begins with "Three O'Clock Blues," King's first Number One hit from 1953 and continues straight through to 1998's "I'll Survive." King's most essential recorded moments--"You Upset Me Baby," "Don't Answer the Door," and "The Thrill Is Gone," among others--are included. Though a lot of fine material is overlooked for economy's sake, this is as solid a collection of the legend's first 50 years as anyone could want under one cover.

The compilation does the listener a service, not only by representing the arc of King's spectacular career, but by bringing together work from different labels (a task usually riddled with disputes over song rights). Original versions of songs released on RPM, Kent, ABC, and MCA are included here, as are two tracks from 1965's LIVE AT THE REGAL, still one of King's most incendiary recordings. Every cut on the album brilliantly showcases King's soulful, technically flawless guitar work and impassioned singing, making THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION a great place for the uninitiated to begin learning about this monumental bluesman.

Personnel: B.B. King (vocals, guitar, piano); Bono (vocals); David Spinozza (guitar); George Coleman, Hank Crawford (alto saxophone); David "Fathead" Newman , Wilton Felder, Bill Harvey, Bobby Forte (tenor saxophone); The Memphis Horns (horns); Johnny Ace (piano); Carole King (electric piano); Dr. John, Joe Sample, Stevie Wonder (keyboards); Earl Forest, Sonny Freeman (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion).

Liner Note Author: Charles Sawyer.