For the second album in my quest to fully listen to 20 albums in 20 weeks I chose B.B. King’s Live at the Regal. Recorded live in Chicago in 1964, I chose it to honor King’s recent passing.
What Others Think
Live at the Regal was given 5 stars by Rolling Stone, and was named one of its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (141st). 1
What I Think
I think B.B. King influenced more artists than we will ever likely know. You can’t listen to this album for long without hearing lyrics and licks from others songs you know. King inspired countless other musicians and his legacy is set in stone. Being a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan, I especially enjoyed the sounds that Vaughan picked up on and added to later.
Favorite Lyrics
I gave you a brand new Ford
But you said, “I want a Cadillac”
I bought you a ten dollar dinner
And you said, “Thanks for the snack”
But you said, “I want a Cadillac”
I bought you a ten dollar dinner
And you said, “Thanks for the snack”
I let you live in my penthouse
You said, “It was just a shack”
I gave seven children
And now you wanna give ’em back
You said, “It was just a shack”
I gave seven children
And now you wanna give ’em back
(from How Blue Can You Get)
Where It Fits
While it won’t make my every week playlist, I’ll go back and listen to B.B. King to appreciate the greatness and endurance of a musical legend. I am grateful for a week of Live at the Regal, I recommend it for anyone wanting a greater appreciation of music history.