This album marks a triumphant return to the roots of blues, where B.B. King made his name a household one. His career has spanned a entire lifetime and has reached many generations, and still to this day, well into his 80s, is recording some fine music. However, in 2008, he cut his best record in a decade with One Kind Favor. And as I said, it was a return to the roots, where B.B. is his best. In fact, not only is it his best album in the past ten years, but one of my personal favorites he has ever made.

     One Kind Favor is not simply a return, but also a departure from the work he has done as of late. Many of his other recent works have been filled with musical guest stars, glossy productions, and sometimes even some reduced guitar work from King himself. 1997s Duece's Wild was a guest star album, as was 2005's 80, where King celebrated his 80th birthday. 2003's Reflections was a very glossy number, with a very modern sound, and while it was a pretty good album, I didn't like the fact that King didn't seem to have too many leading guitar solos, they were mostly performed by a bandmate. These are the primary reasons as to why One Kind Favor is just that good. It isn't hindered by anything, and gives you exactly what you expect to hear: B.B. singing and playing the blues.

     I love the sound of this album. It has been stripped down to the basics. Not only that, but it has a very nostalgic sound to it as well. It has this warm sort of sound not heard on records of today. It almost sounds like an old vinyl record playing on your turntable, but yet, is cleaned up just enough to sound modern. This sounds like it could have been recorded in 1955, but obviously it was recorded in 2008. Surely, it sounds much more like a throwback, but if anything, I feel that sound comes natural to King when he is playing the basics of blues. The accompanying musicians are terrific as well. They are all quite skilled in their respective crafts, and sound like one cohesive unit behind King. They also provide many nuances throughout the entire piece that really bring more life into the songs.

     King himself sounds fantastic. I am blown away when I listen to how good he sounds here. At age 82, he sounds better than he did on Reflections (2003). His voice continues to be as booming and as expressive as ever, convincingly, and emotionally conveying the blues to his audience; songs like "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" and "I Get So Weary" really showcase the raw power of his tremendous voice. His guitar work is also just as thrilling as ever. His signature sound is kept in tact after all these years, and is just as captivating.

     Another interesting thing about this album is that King seems also quite world-weary about his age and place in life. Still going strong thankfully, but at age 82 during the time of release, a song like "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" may appear to be macabre, but it isn't. I think King understands these things, but he definitely doesn't dwell on them, and I feel he appreciates the life he has been blessed with - throughout all of his ups and downs. In fact, this album embodies the struggles of life through the blues, but also its sweet embraces as well, and the jovial King comfortably guides us the entire way keeping our spirits high.

     I've always been a big fan of B.B. King and this album was a pleasure to listen to, and one that I have and will listen to again and again for the years to come. It is one of my favorite King albums, and certainly his best in the past several years. It is albums like this that continue to cement his name as the true, bonafide, undisputed King Of The Blues.

TRACK HIGHLIGHTS:

"See That My Grave Is Kept Clean"

"I Get So Weary"

"Get These Blues Off Me"

"How Many More Years"

"Waiting For Your Call"

"Midnight Blues"

-Kurt L.

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