WayBack Wednesday - B.B. King
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Artist:
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Album:
The word from Wiki:
Indianola Mississippi Seeds is a 1970 album in which B. B. King mixed elements of blues and pop/rock. Producer Bill Szymczyk decided to follow up on the success of the hit "The Thrill is Gone" by matching King with a musical all-star cast. The result was one of King's most critically acclaimed albums and one of the most highly regarded blues crossover albums of all time.
The album appeared on several of Billboard's album charts in 1970, reaching number 26 on the Pop album chart, number seven on the Jazz album chart and eight on Billboard's listing for "Black Albums." The album also generated several hit singles, "Chains and Things", King's own "Ask Me No Questions" and Leon Russell's "Hummingbird".
King himself, also, views the album as one of his greatest achievements. When asked about his best work, King has said, "I know the critics always mention Live & Well or Live at the Regal, but I think that Indianola Mississippi Seeds was the best album that I've done artistically."
The album title is a tribute to King's upbringing near Indianola, Mississippi. Although King was born on a plantation between two smaller towns, Itta Bena and Berclair, which are actually closer to Greenwood, King has always considered Indianola his hometown.
The album package — which was itself recognized with a Grammy — includes what appears to be a copy of B. B. King's birth certificate with official registration in Indianola. The liner notes also contain a note that reads, "Congratulations Albert and Nora on your son Riley, September 16, 1925."
Over time, King's hometown has paid respects back to him. In 2008, the B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center will open in Indianola, with the mission to "preserve and share the legacy and values of B. B. King, to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Mississippi Delta, and to promote pride, hope, and understanding through exhibitions and educated programs."
Indianola Mississippi Seeds is one of three of B. B. Kings recordings listed in The Rough Guide to Blues 100 Essential CDs (along with Live at the Regal and Singin' the Blues). The album was named # 23 on a list of the best "Album Chartmakers by Year" for 1970.
Track listing
1. "Nobody Loves Me But My Mother" (B. B. King) — 1:26
• B. B. King — piano & vocal
2. "You're Still My Woman" (B. B. King/Dave Clark) — 6:04
• B. B. King — guitar & vocal
• Carole King — piano
• Bryan Garofalo — bass
• Russ Kunkel — drums
3. "Ask Me No Questions" (B. B. King) — 3:08
• B. B. King — guitar & vocal
• Leon Russell - piano
• Joe Walsh - rhythm guitar
• Bryan Garofalo — bass
• Russ Kunkel — drums
4. "Until I'm Dead and Cold" (B. B. King) — 4:45
• B. B. King — guitar & vocal
• Carole King — piano
• Bryan Garofalo — bass
• Russ Kunkel — drums
5. "King's Special" (B. B. King) — 5:13
• B. B. King — lead guitar
• Leon Russell - piano
• Joe Walsh - rhythm guitar
• Bryan Garofalo — bass
• Russ Kunkel — drums
6. "Ain't Gonna Worry My Life Anymore" (B. B. King) — 5:18
• B. B. King — guitar & vocal
• Carole King — piano & electric piano
• Bryan Garofalo — bass
• Russ Kunkel — drums
7. "Chains and Things" (B. B. King & Dave Clark) — 4:53
• B.B. King — guitar & vocal
• Carole King — electric piano
• Bryan Garofalo — bass
• Russ Kunkel — drums
8. "Go Underground" (B. B. King & Dave Clark) — 4:00
• B. B. King — lead guitar & vocal
• Paul Harris — piano
• Hugh McCracken — rhythm guitar
• Gerald Jemmott — bass
• Herb Lovelle — drums
• Joe Zagarino — Engineer
9. "Hummingbird" (Leon Russell) — 4:36
• B. B. King — guitar & vocal
• Leon Russell — piano & conductor
• Joe Walsh — rhythm guitar
• Bryan Garofalo — bass
• Russ Kunkel — drums
• Sherlie Matthews, Merry Clayton, Clydie King, Venetta Fields — "Angelic chorus"
Locating MOG account...
Comments (12)
That is quite the line up backing him...Never really been a fan of his studio work..too clean. Love what Carole King was doing there on track 2..pretty cool.
I guess as far as "updated" Blues records go (strings,eek) I like. It slays some of those Chess crossover bids.
King's special is pretty cool too..thanks for dragging this bad boy out.
a pleasure...
Thanx rummy, I completely forgot about that album from the 1970.
You can always hear Leon's distinct way of playing piano on a song.
yes u can
I vaguely recall this. Of course I can only vaguely recall anything that happened before yesterday.
1970, let's see, u were 12?
I vaguely recall seeing this in stores starting forty years ago. Seeing and hearing Carole King playing the blues here is a surprise, though Leon Russell tops her when it's his turn. Cool album!
I have Live & Well in my traxs of wax collection, but somehow I don't recall this release. He done slipped one by me- and with Leon on it to boot. How could that have happened?
They waited for you to turn your back and slipped it by!
Glad we could make amens
How dare them. That's not allowed.