AMG Review of Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: B.B. King

Richie Unterberger
All Music Guide

Issued as part of a series in conjunction with the major television documentary series #The Blues, this is a hop-skip-jump 12-song compilation of tracks spanning nearly half a century, from the early '50s to the late '90s. For a man whose prolific career has actually been the subject of more than one box set, it's a rather skimpy overview. Still, the kind of listeners who buy this sort of thing aren't looking for box sets, but for a sampler or introductory portal. What's here is certainly worthy, including his 1950s hits "Three O'Clock Blues" and "Every Day (I Have the Blues)"; a few of his more fully produced, brassy 1960s ABC sides; the 1969 breakthrough pop hit "The Thrill Is Gone"; and just three post-1976 tracks, one of which ("Playin' With My Friends") features Robert Cray as co-lead vocalist and guitarist. "Sweet Sixteen," "Sweet Little Angel," and "Rock Me Baby" are just a few of the substantial hits conspicuous by their absence. There's something to be said for a single-disc King anthology that cross-licenses from throughout his career, but the best compilations focusing on specific eras of his work give a much better idea of his scope and depth.