2008.07.29
B.B. King at Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre
Go here for the review: http://www.roanoke.com/entertainment/wb/xp-171162.
Even at 82, King still has chops, a great voice and showmanship skills. The fact that he's not as fiery a player as he was 20 years ago didn't bother his audience on Tuesday night.
It's a true shame that Roanoke cannot sell out a venue when an true icon like BB King comes to town. Roanoke likes to make big plans about ampitheaters and such but what's the use when nobody will show up anyway.
Comment by Jeff — July 30, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
I really enjoyed B.B. King. I'd seen him at the Grandin Theater in the 80's, and the pre-show story in Monday's paper had mentioned the mandates that age and health put on his show nowadays, so the monologues were expected. All the age quips are at least accurate.
He does play guitar less, and very few multi-chorus solos, but like the review says, he's still such a fine player that his greatness was pretty clear. I was surprised by the vigor he still put into his singing on
"I Need You So". The band was fine, sound mix a little muddy, but they even arranged for a good baritone sax solo.
I was happy that it was a good all ages turnout. My only complaint would be with those people in Roanoke audiences who seem unable to sustain a hushed dynamic level for more than a second. At least once it seemingly caused King to actually end a number early. When playing, he can use very subtle dynamics, but while that seemed within his reach last night, the audience shouters weren't allowing it.
B.B. was gracious to those persistent fans who sent birthday notes or stopped the whole show's flow to boast about their devotion. But it was a frustration for the rest of the audience, and I'm sure for King. Even though, as he said alot, he's a bluesman ladies love, and though I may be flamed for saying so, it more often seems to be females who disrupt with self-indulgent intrusions. WooHoo women (in Roanoke they're usually 39 and holding) may be the key audience ingredient in shows I don't see, (e.g. a Kenny Chesney show), but for too many shows I do see, they are an annoying distraction. (I blame mostly men for the kicked beer bottle noises that also interrupted at times last night).
Comment by Pete — July 30, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
Who knows what will sell out in Roanoke?
As for interruptions at the show: Pete, the time that King cut a song short, I'm pretty sure it was because a man had walked up front and was playing a harmonica.
I was sitting a few rows in front of the man, who was blind, and another man in a straw cowboy hat, who was guiding him. During that song, there was a ruckus back there -- I looked back to see them arguing before they walked down to the stage area. Strange.
Before the show, one of the civic center employees told me that they were now allowing beer and food in the auditorium. Great, I thought. Soon, I heard the clinking, and realized that some people can't control themselves after just one or two beers! Morons!
As for the shouting, that was nothing compared to what I have seen. About 25 years ago, a friend of mine and I went to see King in Nashville, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. For years, I put that show up among my top five favorite live performances. People in the audience, black and white and mostly women, were testifying left and right. But that was a different King, a different show. He was on fire that night, and Bobby "Blue" Bland had warmed up the crowd *real good.*
Comment by Tad — July 31, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
"It Ain't Snowing In Memphis"
Looking out the window.
Feeling cold inside.
It ain't snowing in Memphis.
Chilling to the bone.
Baby by my side.
It ain't snowing in Memphis.
How I wish I were in Memphis.
Walking down Beale St.
Sipping on a Coke.
Hearing BB sing the Blues.
Cause it ain't snowing in Memphis.
Cause it ain't snowing in Memphis.
Comment by Lamar Cole — September 5, 2008 @ 8:01 am