Artist: B.B. King
Album: One Kind Favor
Release: August 26, 2008
Label: Geffen Records
Rating: 9 out of 10
Website: www.bbking.com

I don't think B.B. King has ever released a bad album. This man seems to take exceptional care choosing his songs before recording them with perfection. I have many of King's CDs, including his work with other artists, and One Kind Favor is definitely one of the best he's ever released. In fact, I find myself contemplating that it might well be his best yet!

I'll admit that I discovered B.B. King a little later on, after the U2 album "Rattle and Hum" came out. I was taken back by King's skill with a guitar and his deep, raspy vocals. I made it my goal to purchase any of his albums available on CD. Oddly, I find that they all seem to pale in comparison to One Kind Favor, an album specially orchestrated to sound like it was recorded decades earlier.

One Kind Favor features twelve covers of classic blues songs that King feels were strong influences on his career. Listeners enjoy King's take on classics like John Lee Hooker's "Blues Before Sunrise." A sampling of other tracks includes:

• "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" by Lemon Jefferson
• "I Get So Weary" by T-Bone Walker
• "Get These Blues Off Me" by Lee Vida Walker
• "Waiting for Your Call" by Oscar Lollie
• "Midnight Blues" by John Willie "Shifty" Henry
• "Tomorrow Night" by Lonnie Johnson

Can I pick out a favorite? Not really. Every song on this album was fabulous and had me wishing I had half the talent this man has! He's a master at capturing the emotion of a song with his guitar and voice-"My Love Is Down (Lonnie Johnson) offers a great example of the pain of heartbreak in a classic blues tune.

{mosgoogle right}For more than 20 years, King has used his trademark "Lucille," a Gibson signature guitar, to create music that soothes and mesmerizes. For more than 40 years, King has refused to play anything other than a Gibson guitar. The tone is amazing. Strong blues guitar riffs showcase his skills. Imagine being 82 and still having the voice that millions have fallen in love with, not to mention the incredible talent he displays playing his trusty guitar. All while he still performs throughout the country.

With artists like Dr. John on piano, Nathan East playing acoustic bass and Jim Keltner on drums, the music is rich and sultry. At times, it's hard to remember you aren't in a cozy blues bar kicking back with a beer and letting the music soothe your weary soul. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, One Kind Favor is simply breathtaking and a must-have for any music lover!