Makin Love Is Good For You

06/19/2000 6:10 PM, Yahoo! Music
Mike Lipton

B.B. King Makin' Love Good For You Ratin: 70 By michael lipton While B.B. King's name has become synonymous with the blues--1976's Live At The Regal remains one of the definitive blues shows--for many years, his music has concerned itself more with style than substance. Last year's disappointing tribute to bandleader Louis Jordan found him giving Jordan's singular tunes a workmanlike treatment that lacked fire or inspiration. Still, at 74, King is a national treasure, and when pressed (i.e. in between the shucking and jiving at his live shows), he can still play like a mutha.

Surprisingly, his latest checks in as his best and most impassioned release in years. King turns over some classic blues and soul standards, including the oft-covered "Since I Fell For You," Barbara George's 1961 hit "I Know," and Willie Dixon's "Don't Go No Further" with predictable results. But it's on his own "Peace Of Mind" and "Ain't Nobody Like My Baby"--two new compositions--and Willie Mabon's shuffle "Monday Woman" that King works up the most steam. His vocals are as urgent and gutsy as a youngster--but never forced. On the latter, King shows off the spare style, singular choice of notes and clear, unparalleled tone that earned him his moniker decades ago.