Greatest Hits [MCA] (CD - 1998)

Personnel includes: B.B. King, Robert Cray (vocals, guitar); Bono (vocals); The Edge (guitar, keyboards); Joe Walsh, Hugh McCracken, Dean Parks (guitar); Lawrence Burdine, Hank Crawford (alto saxophone); Wilton Felder (tenor saxophone, bass); David "Fathead" Newman, Vernon Slater, Johnny Board, Bobby Forte (tenor saxophone); Jerome Richardson, Ronald Cuber (baritone saxophone); Kenneth Sands, Carl Adams (trumpet); Duke Jethro (piano, organ); Leon Russell, Paul Harris, Charles Brooks (piano); Carole King (electric piano); Dr. John, Stevie Wonder, Joe Sample, Jim Pugh (keyboards); Leo Lauche, Gerald Jemott (bass); Sonny Freeman, Herbie Lovelle, Russ Kunkel, Bernard Purdie (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion).

Includes liner notes by David Ritz.

Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (MCA Media Studios, North Hollywood, California).

Personnel: Robert Cray (vocals, guitar); Clydie King, Merry Clayton, Venetta Fields (vocals); Dean Parks, Hugh McCracken, Norman Harris, Roland Chambers (guitar); Quitman Dennis (saxophone); Lawrence Burdine (alto saxophone); Vernon Slater, David "Fathead" Newman , Johnny Board, Andrew Love, Bobby Forte (tenor saxophone); Barney Hubert, Jerome Richardson (baritone saxophone); Waymon Reed, Carl Adams, Gary Grant, Henry Boozier, Steve Madaio, Wayne Jackson, John Browning (trumpet); Charles Fendley, Pluma Davis (trombone); Duke Jethro (piano, organ); Leon Russell, Paul Harris (piano); Carole King (electric piano); Charles Mann (keyboards, background vocals); Jim Pugh, Joe Sample, Ron Kersey, Stevie Wonder (keyboards); James Gadson, Larry Mullen, Jr., Russ Kunkel, Stix Hooper, Sonny Freeman (drums); Larry Washington (congas); Luther Waters, Phyllis Duncan, Rebecca Evans Russell, Helen Duncan, Maxine Willard Waters, Oren Waters, Julia Tillman (background vocals).

Audio Remixers: Ron Jacobs ; Shelly Yakus.

Liner Note Author: David Ritz.

Recording information: Berkeley, CA (09/30/1963-03/12/1993); Hollywood, CA (09/30/1963-03/12/1993); Los Angeles, CA (09/30/1963-03/12/1993); New York, NY (09/30/1963-03/12/1993); Philadelphia, PA (09/30/1963-03/12/1993); Regal Theatre, Chicago, IL (09/30/1963-03/12/1993); Sun Studios (09/30/1963-03/12/1993).

Photographer: David Gahr.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Dr. John; Joe Walsh ; Leon Russell; Stevie Wonder; The Crusaders; Carole King.

Arrangers: Hank Crawford; Johnny Pate; Maxwell Davis.

There's more than one B.B. King best-of out on the racks, but this 1998 issue, Greatest Hits [MCA], updates his chart achievements and puts them together in a modern, 16-track package for both the novice and casual modern blues listener. Kicking off with a pair of tunes from the influential Live at the Regal album ("Sweet Little Angel," "Everyday I Have the Blues"), the set moves through mid- to late-'60s breakthrough hits like "How Blue Can You Get?," "Paying the Cost to Be the Boss," "Why I Sing the Blues," "Don't Answer the Door," and his signature tune, "The Thrill Is Gone." The pop-blues fusions King experimented with in the '70s and '80s show up on "To Know You Is to Love You," "I Like to Live the Love," and "Hummingbird." The modern-day end of things is represented by duets with Robert Cray on "Playin' with My Friends," and rock group U2 on "When Love Comes to Town." Although missing all of his early-'50s hits, this is a good buy for the casual fan coming to his music for the first time, and for longtime aficionados looking for a quick-fix update. ~ Cub Koda

Mississippi born Riley B. King began playing music on the streets of his native Indianola in the '40s, eventually moving to Memphis to pursue a career as a bluesman. He found a home as a DJ on legendary Memphis radio Station WDIA in the early '50s, a position he used to further his budding reputation as a guitarist/singer to be reckoned with. His on-air moniker, "the Beale Street Blues Boy" ultimately metamorphosed into his stage name. He spent the '50s cementing his legend as an energetic performer, playing with Johnny Ace and Bobby "Blue" Bland and on his own. His very modern, urban style was influenced not only by T-Bone Walker, but by jazz guitarist Charlie Christian. King's gestalt was miles away from the blues' rural beginnings, relying on witty, sophisticated lyrics and almost jazzy rhythms. His signature guitar style, as played on his trademark Gibson hollow-body "Lucille," combined quick vibrato with cutting, single-note lines and aggressively bent notes. His boisterous vocals, entertainment-value showmanship and gregarious personality made him beloved not just to blues aficionados, but to the larger pop audience. minimize