Blues legend reigns over classics

by Michelle Parks, Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Posted January 30, 2008
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/215170/


EUREKA SPRINGS — The music isn’t the only thing striking about a B. B. King concert.

Also striking is the man. At once legend and regular guy, King is gracious, grateful and sincere.

Those qualities came across as this endlessly talented and beloved man interacted Sunday night with an enthusiastic crowd at the Auditorium. And those qualities shone through his music.

The five-member Kory Montgomery Band opened the concert with a 30-minute set. Montgomery, a Rogers native, and his band were solid and tight on “Chevrolet,” with Jason Thomason blazing on guitar. Montgomery showed his most impressive guitar licks on blues guitarist Luther Allison’s cover, “Bad Love.”

ing’s eight-member band then warmed up the crowd with a couple of songs. When King, a 14-time Grammy winner, took the stage, the audience took to its feet before settling back for an hour-and-45 minute show they won’t forget.

King, 82, didn’t let his age or health issues — diabetes, a bad back and bad knees — hinder his performance. Seated center stage, he played guitar, sang and occasionally danced — much to the crowd’s delight.

From that spot, King often prompted band members to do solos with the point of a finger, as with “Every Day I Have the Blues.” He seemed to enjoy listening to the music around him almost as much as playing it.

King played the upbeat, fun “Let the Good Times Roll” and the slow, groovy “Bluesman.” His masterful guitar playing seemed as effortless as breathing, and his aged fingers still were nimble. No one sounds like him.

With the entrancing “I Need You So,” King’s voice was a blend of big and booming and soft and sweet. He dedicated the tune to older generations who told audience members about him and his music, which he’s been playing for 60 years.

A woman from the audience tossed a pair of panties on stage, sidetracking King as he started to play “When Love Comes to Town,” written for him by U 2 ’s Bono. King took the incident in stride.

“I told you guys, keep living — look what happens,” he said, then got back to the song.

Saying only politicians talk more than he does, this native Mississipian entertained with stories from his life. He also tried to keep peace between men and women by playing a lovely version of “You Are My Sunshine” for the ladies.

Several songs from the show — including “Rock Me Baby” and “All Over Again” — will be on his Live album, set for release next month.

Humbly asking the crowd’s permission to play “just one more,” King launched into his signature song, “The Thrill is Gone.” Then, he threw in an extra song: “Guess Who.”

After tossing guitar picks and necklaces to the crowd, the reigning king of the blues donned an overcoat, hat and scarf, and headed off stage to his tour bus.