Why I Reacted To This Song
B.B. King is one of the greats, all time. Hearing him take on “Stormy Monday” live is a reminder of exactly why.
Original by Artist
About This Song
“Stormy Monday” started life as “Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad),” written and recorded by T-Bone Walker in 1947. It became one of the most covered blues standards of all time, and B.B. King made it a regular part of his live shows over the decades, putting his own stamp on the phrasing, the guitar work and the emotion behind it.
First Impressions
This is a live recording pulled from B.B. King’s own YouTube channel, so the audio quality is diminished somewhat. It doesn’t matter. The performance cuts through anyway.
My Reaction
It makes me ecstatic to hear B.B. King in such marvelous shape, both singing and playing as a master. The interplay between his voice and Lucille is everything the blues is supposed to be; conversational, expressive, unhurried. Even with the rougher live audio, the feeling comes through completely. This is what makes live blues recordings worth seeking out.
Rating
88/100