Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

When we pay tribute to those that inspired us, we are bound by honour to do so with truth at the very centre of our words and actions, anything less demeans and lowers that which came into our possession, into our minds, the actions we have taken when we utter their name with hopeful reverence.

Legends of any artistic endeavour, the greats of any pursuit in which they have elevated the nature of what it means to be human, will always offer humility, and so should the ones may not hold such an offering themselves but to whom the effect resounds perhaps deeper, touched as if by magic, inflamed by passion, and understanding that modesty prevails us to soak in the atmosphere and adore from afar.

Joe Bonamassa is no stranger to placing other’s significance before his own obvious dynamic, exemplifying the virtue of those around him, the heroes and the unknown alike, and it is arguably only right that the man, the star and the prodigy offers an upbeat, pure, collaboration of likeminded individuals who found joy in the artistry of the father of the Blues, B.B. King.

Generations of musicians have discovered solace, creative encouragement and the Muse in the life of the 1987 Hall of Famer, and to Joe Bonamassa it is more than just honouring the performance and life of a man who would now be a centenarian, a spirit of immense stature, it is a kinship, a truth, a legacy that is completed in the outstanding album of Joe Bonamassa’s B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100.

A roster of the heavily influenced and the original cool are placed into the pews of near exultation. Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Slash, Myles Kennedy, Dion, Bobby Rush, Chris Cain, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Paul Rogers, Warren Haynes, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Eric Gales, Jimmy Hall and George Benson are amongst a list of the intensely notable and the dedicated fans of the father of the Blues, but all with the honour of being overseen by the Godfather of the new renaissance for the genre, Joe Bonamassa.

The deep connection between the two men has been much discussed, much admired, and the love from Mr. Bonamassa is evident as he oversees the project to exemplify the life of his mentor.

Across tracks such as Paying The Cost To Be The Boss, To Know You Is To Love You, Let The Good Times Roll, the excellent version of When Love Comes To Town, The Thrill Is Gone, There Must Be A Better World Somewhere, Ghetto Woman, the thrilling adaptation of Bad Case Of Love, Never Make A Move Too Soon, and When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer, what comes across is a devotion, a loyalty to a man to whom the genre owes an enormous debt, and is one gladly paid by the constantly faithful.

An album of serenity and grace, of steadfast Blues in all its joy and renewed faith, Joe Bonamassa’s B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 is simply majestic.

Ian D. Hall