Greatest Hits [MCA]

by B.B. King

Overview

There's more than one B.B. King best-of out on the racks, but this 1998 issue, Greatest Hits [MCA], updates his chart achievements and puts them together in a modern, 16-track package for both the novice and casual modern blues listener. Kicking off with a pair of tunes from the influential Live at the Regal album ("Sweet Little Angel," "Everyday I Have the Blues"), the set moves through mid- to late-'60s breakthrough hits like "How Blue Can You Get?," "Paying the Cost to Be the Boss," "Why I Sing the Blues," "Don't Answer the Door," and his signature tune, "The Thrill Is Gone." The pop-blues fusions King experimented with in the '70s and '80s show up on "To Know You Is to Love You," "I Like to Live the Love," and "Hummingbird." The modern-day end of things is represented by duets with Robert Cray on "Playin' with My Friends," and rock group U2 on "When Love Comes to Town." Although missing all of his early-'50s hits, this is a good buy for the casual fan coming to his music for the first time, and for longtime aficionados looking for a quick-fix update. ~ Cub Koda

Product Details

Release Date:	08/25/1998
Label:	Geffen / Mca
UPC:	0008811174620
Rank:	43649

Tracks

1. Every Day I Have the Blues
2. Sweet Little Angel
3. How Blue Can You Get?
4. Paying the Cost to Be the Boss
5. Don't Answer the Door
6. Why I Sing the Blues
7. The Thrill Is Gone
8. I Like to Live the Love
9. Hummingbird
10. To Know You Is to Love You
11. Chains and Things
12. Better Not Look Down
13. Never Make a Move Too Soon
14. There Must Be a Better World Somewhere
15. Playin' with My Friends
16. When Love Comes to Town

Album Credits

Performance Credits

B.B. King   Primary Artist
U2   Primary Artist,Guest Artist
Robert Cray   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Featured Artist
Stevie Wonder   Guest Artist,Keyboards
Carole King   Guest Artist,Piano (Electric)
Leon Russell   Guest Artist,Piano,Conductor
Joe Walsh   Guest Artist,Guitar (Rhythm)
Dr. John   Guest Artist
The Crusaders   Guest Artist
Larry Mullen, Jr.   Drums
Clydie King   Vocals
Larry Washington   Congas
James Gadson   Drums
Russ Kunkel   Drums
Johnny Board   Sax (Tenor)
David "Fathead" Newman   Sax (Tenor)
Wilton Felder   Bass
Waymon Reed   Trumpet
Bryan Garofalo   Bass
Gary Grant   Trumpet
Bobby Forte   Sax (Tenor)
Joe Sample   Keyboards
Sonny Freeman   Drums
Jim Pugh   Keyboards
Charles Mann   Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Dean Parks   Guitar
Wayne Jackson   Trumpet
John Browning   Trumpet
Venetta Fields   Vocals
Jerome Richardson   Sax (Baritone)
Hugh McCracken   Guitar
Ron Kersey   Keyboards
Roland Chambers   Guitar
Maxwell Davis   Conductor
Pluma Davis   Trombone
Richard Cousins   Bass
Quitman Dennis   Saxophone
Maxine Willard Waters   Vocals (Background)
Merry Clayton   Vocals
Norman Harris   Guitar
Oren Waters   Vocals (Background)
Adam Clayton   Bass
Stix Hooper   Drums
Luther Waters   Vocals (Background)
Duke Jethro   Organ,Piano
Julia Tillman   Vocals (Background)
Lawrence Burdine   Sax (Alto)
Barney Hubert   Sax (Baritone)
Henry Boozier   Trumpet
Helen Duncan   Vocals (Background)
Charles Fendley   Trombone
Rebecca Evans Russell   Vocals (Background)
Carl Adams   Trumpet
Phyllis Duncan   Vocals (Background)
Vernon Slater   Sax (Tenor)
Paul Harris   Piano
Andrew Love   Sax (Tenor)
Steve Madaio   Trumpet

Technical Credits

B.B. King   Composer
Bill Szymczyk   Producer
Larry Mullen, Jr.   Composer
Will Jennings   Composer
Doc Pomus   Composer
The Edge   Composer
Jane Feather   Composer
Erick Labson   Digital Remastering
Leonard Feather   Composer
Dr. John   Composer
Dennis Walker   Composer,Producer
Johnny Pate   Arranger,Producer
Wilton Felder   Producer
Stevie Wonder   Composer
Hank Crawford   Arranger
Dave Crawford   Composer
Dave Clark   Composer,Composer
Syreeta Wright   Composer
Bono   Composer
J. Johnson   Composer
Joe Sample   Composer,Producer
David Ritz   Liner Notes
Leon Russell   Composer
Robert Cray   Composer,Performer
James F. Johnson   Composer
Charles Mann   Composer
U2   Performer
Mac Rebennack   Composer
Lou Zito   Producer
Jules Taub   Composer
Peter Chatman   Composer
Maxwell Davis   Arranger
Nesmond Hooper Jr.   Composer
Ray Henderson   Composer
Memphis Slim   Composer
Roy Hawkins   Composer
Adam Clayton   Composer
Stewart Levine   Producer
Stix Hooper   Composer,Producer
Mike Fink   Design
Rick Darnell   Composer
Ron Jacobs   Remixing
David Gahr   Photography
Mark Johnson   Composer
Shelly Yakus   Remixing
Sid Feller   Producer
Andy McKaie   Producer,Compilation Producer