The power of the performance at Cook County Jail isn't solely because of the King, although he is certainly the most infallible part of the performance - the King's backing group is of a refined and royal caliber. While they aren't as flashy as King's clean vamping and licks, they're an energetic set of musicians that perfectly compliment King's singing, energy, and playing throughout the record - the horns are the best example of this, cleanly filling in with background punches, riffs, and hits when need, best seen on the quick and vamping "Every Day I Have the Blues" that begins the performance. The other musicians are no slouch either, from Sonny Freeman's lively drumming to Ron Levy's tasty piano punches and fills to Wilbert Freeman's calculated and steady bass-playing. All of these musicians brilliantly come together for an electric set that leaves everyone, from the prisoners in the crowd to the listeners at home, fully entranced with the power of B.B. King's performance.
For the performance, B.B. King also draws on a storied catalog of blues numbers and iconic tunes, and the result is an action-packed set of blues numbers that never once loses momentum. His classic show-opener of "Every Day I Have the Blues" is a classic opener for a reason, with its vamping horns, smooth guitar playing, and the oh-so important howling from B.B. King. Each of the songs, with the exception of the aforementioned "Every Day" also has a decently long runtime to allow for some 'premo jamming and soloing from King, best example being the unbelievable "The Thrill is Gone," fittingly the climax of the performance - it's soaring energy slows into a trade of licks and punches with brass, before building in tempo and a crescendo, building up before crashing back down again - the tension is palpable, and when it's all said and done its one of the album's best moments. The other contender is the classic "How Blue Can You Get," which is very possibly the best vocal performance B.B. King has given - the power of his rich voice fully felt on this song. The Side-B medley of "3 O'Clock Blues / Darlin' You Know I Love You" is another soaring number that is a perfect opening to the second half. Most of the other moments showcase the King's power, although I wish "Please Accept My Love" went on longer, and I wish "Worry, Worry, Worry" went on for less, even if the song showcases the versatility of B.B. King's voice.
The performance at Cook County Jail proved significant for B.B. King - he would continue to give free concerts at the jail throughout his lifetime, and it also had some major effects afterwards. The concert brought a lot of attention to the poor conditions within the jail, including stories of inmates who had waited over a year for trial - inmates commented that B.B. King's appearance was an uncommon acknowledgement of their humanity, and reforms at the jail occurred in the wake of the concert. Outside of its importance to King, the County Jail, and the inmates within it, it's very easy to appreciate Live in Cook County Jail in a much simpler manner - simply put, it's a damn good blues album through and through, showcasing a King at the height of his influence and power. Long live.
RATING: ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Listen to Live in Cook County Jail.
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