By the time I finally got to see B.B. King at the Midland this past Friday night, it was too late.
I wasn't too late because I was waiting in line for a bowl of Mongolian BBQ across the street or looking for a $10 parking spot -- it was too late, figuratively.
"Just don't be mean, okay?" my boyfriend said to me after the show as the stage lights were growing brighter and the blues legend was still on stage, signing autographs and tossing out guitar picks. Most of the sold-out audience either left already or was filing out, grumbling on the way.
It was sweet, really. Throughout his performance, King kept saying he was having fun. I suppose he was telling the truth. Shortly after coming on stage, he announced, "I can't see you, but I can hear you." The Beale Street Blues Boy is 84 now and entered (and exited) with the help of a three-man entourage.
Riley B. King played (maybe) eight songs throughout his 90+ minute set, his rich voice sometimes drowned out by the four-man horn section. Sitting in a high-backed red chair, it seemed he would play a few strong riffs, then mellow out or just stop altogether. The energy of the crowd went way down after he started. King garnered very few catcalls and whistles from the mostly white, middle-aged crowd in comparison to Buddy Guy.
Once the horn men left, the talking began. Before going into "See That My Grave is Kept Clean," the classic cover originally written by Blind Lemon Jefferson, King announced, "I'm from Mississippi and I carry a knife," a segueway into one-sided discussion about women ("I've never seen an ugly woman") and the first couple verses of "You Are My Sunshine."
And then that's when the talking really began... and people started leaving.
King kept promising to play "The Thrill is Gone," but well, it took awhile. First, the audience would have to hear about Levitra, Cialis and powers of Mogen David wine (the makers of MD 20/20, FYI). He apologized for not playing "Hummingbird," and continued on.
The rest of the horn section finally came back to bring it home. They stood around, looking rather bored, then eventually exited the stage towards the middle of the set. After delivering "The Thrill is Gone," they left again, leaving The King to say farewell to the front rows, who presumably paid $132.50 for a ticket.
On the other hand, Buddy Guy gave the crowd (part of) what they wanted: a full-on Chicago Blues explosion. Along with his amazing keyboardist, Marty Sammon, Guy delivered the classics: "Slippin' Out, Slippin' In," a Muddy Waters medley of "Hoochie Coochie Man/She's 19 Years Old/Love Her with a Feeling and a particularly rousing performance of "Drowning on Dry Land." It was pretty fucking awesome.
B.B. King, however, was more gentle to his guitar. It's hard to say whether he'll be back in Kansas City. His age and condition have taken their toll on the man who still has at least 30 dates left to play (including five in South America) in 2010. I suppose I could sum up the experience with a quote from Guy, who in regards to his own performance, announced "I didn't like a damn thing, but he gave me the best he had."
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Saw BB at Hard Rock in Orlando 1/1/12 this week. Very sad. 4rth time I have seen the man although it has been thirty something years since the last. Obviously couldn't remember the words beyond one sentence. All together played maybe 10 mins on Lucille, and was in the wrong key for most of it. Not sure what was more embarrassing, seeing his dancing bear routine in the chair or the drunken idiots in the crowd. He was obviously frustrated with himself for his mistakes and the band couldn't cover it up for him. They tried. Mr. King, you were a great in your day but it is time to hang it up.
THE THRILL IS GONE:
Saw B.B last night in Dallas. Luckily saw him several times before but from the beginning it was obvious age has finally all but stolen away both his passion and once breath-taking abilities.
Same experience as what is noted here took forever for the band to set up then the band without him played about 20 minutes before his entrance. He seemed disoriented and played out of tune and was clearly frustrated and struggling with the fretboard.
After the first song he spent 15 minutes introducing his band and talking about being 86.
Several times during the 5 songs he struggled through he made comments about his age almost as if he were defending his lack of a performance.
He finished with Thrill and forgot the words in the middle of a verse and it was obvious that he actually turned and asked the band the words.
As a Guitarist It was painful watching one of my role models dealing with what is stolen through the passing of time. Many people walked out early in the show and the ones who stayed through were in great complaint. I chose to stay until he was helped off the stage as I would expect this may be the closing chapter of an incredible career.
I love the man and what he has given us but like Chuck Berry it is time to rest from the grind and let his legacy speak for his true greatness.
In his day he was without equal as a Performer-Vocalist and Guitar Master.
I am thankful I witnessed that and that fond memory will stay in my mind forevermore.
House of Blues and Live Nation, you should be ashamed! A rip off and a disgrace. Houston Oct. 2011.
I saw him last night at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA (9/24/11) - guess I waited too long to see another legend - Buddy Guy is still on his game, but BB King is being carried by his band.
Same experience in Spokane...Yeah i finally seen a legend, but thats about it....what playing he did was sloppy and filled mistakes,,i spent about a $100 a ticket...Do yourself a favor and buy some discs instead...If you pay to see this your gonna be disappointed, It's almost as bad as them still propping Dick Clark up on New Years Eve.
Just saw BB in Tri-Cities, WA last night and all of your comments were right on. I think he only did 3 songs. His stories went on and on and it became extremely uncomfortable. Very sad! We were definitely ready to leave but remained. He had an opening local act that was great and they started at 8 a.m. and BB came on at 9:30 and he was done by about 10:30. All the same stories were told!! People were yelling out for him to play his guitar. Very sad and disappointing!
We had the same exact experience in South Bend this past Sunday night (1/16/2011)
Very sad concert experience. I came to hear him play and sing more than 6 songs. If I could get my money back, I would.
What a horrible show. He just rambled for an hour about women. His band can play and at 85 years old he can still sing.......so perform! A waste of $200.00. Longest song of the night was what seemed like a half hour sing along of that child...hood song "You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine" which of course was dedicated to "the ladies." Nothing like going to a blues concert and getting Fred Penner. 2nd worst concert I've ever attended......Dr. Hook you're still #1 in that category, but this was a close second.
yes, he is 84 years old. He played this past weekend at Ironstone in Murphys, CA with buddy guy and al green. buddy and al really put on a fabulous show and really great music. Don't get me wrong; it was great to see BB - but I think he only played two songs all the the whole time - only hinted or teased a little "the thrill is gone." He did not look well. Is band rocks, but they really did not get much of a chance to play. So...stay home if you want to hear BB play - put on a CD. but if you want to pay homage to the man, by all means go to a concert.
The man is in his 80's. He is going to have good days and bad days. When buying tickets buyer beware.
I disagree with the last line. I saw him this week at his club in Orlando and had seen him 2-1/2 years ago there when he opened the club. That time he was on fire! His voice was great, he played guitar like a young man and he told only one or two stories. He sang and played like I remembered him. Two years make a big difference between age 82 and 84; not like the two years between 50 and 52. I love B but I think he should go out gracefully. Soon. He has given us a great ride and I want to remember him that way.
This review was right on! Saw him last night 04/19/10 in Denver...it was sad. I'm glad I got to SEE him before he died; however, I'm sure a lot of people are mad at the money they spent, expecting to see him play and sing. Shame on the promoters and everyone around him for exploiting this legend and leading him to believe he's good and continue! He should've stopped touring at least 10 years ago. Sad, very sad.
Good review. I was there and its right on how it went. I was pretty sad but today a friend who has family experience with diabetes said it sounded like he was just way too high in sugar. Apparently this is what happens to those folks. It would explain the two or three big guitar flubs as well from a guy who should be able to play in his sleep.
Patrick
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