Blues great pushes limits of his legend

By Dan Brodhead

Deuces Wild, King's latest offering, differs from many of his others; it is a celebration of the variety and wide-reaching influence of the blues. Ordinarily, when B.B. hits the stage or the studio, he is accompanied only by his band and his guitar Lucille. Deuces Wild, however, pairs the the blues pioneer with a wide variety of musical partners, some of them quite unlikely choices.

While many of King's past albums such as B.B. King, Live in Cook County Jail have showcased the musician's penchant for improvisation and his amazing interaction with the audience, this one focuses on King's chemistry with other artists. Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Van Morrison, Dr. John...Deuces Wild has them all. The album pairs a veritable all-star roster of rock and roll performers with the great blues guitarist who influenced each of them.

The album starts slow with the mellow romance of "If You Love Me." Van Morrison's tender lyrics take on added life with King's hoarse, authentic vocals. The next track, perhaps B.B.'s most famous, is "The Thrill is Gone." This melancholy tune becomes even more haunting as Tracy Chapman's soulful vocals complement King's masterful guitar licks.

Deuces Wild peaks on "Rock Me Baby," the song in which King and Clapton collaborate. It is a blues fanatic's dream come true. Written by Joe Josea and B.B. King, the tune is basically an excuse for a drawn-out guitar solo. King and Clapton, two of the best guitarists of all time, seize their chance. King's coarse Southern voice contrasts with Clapton's softer British tone. They lift the song skyward with seething rhythmic tirades of improvisational licks; their guitars seem to converse in manic dialogues of whining notes.

But one of the album's most appealing qualities is the variety of the performers it features. It does not limit itself to pure blues artists. In doing so, Deuces Wild shows the wide-reaching influence of the blues, and creates a funky blend of styles. Willie Nelson, the shaggy, Taco-Bell-endorsing country singer plays on the contemplative "Night Life." Heavy D (formerly of "the Boyz") raps on "Keep it Coming."

Juxtaposing fragments of various musical influences against a steady blues background, Deuces Wild becomes a sound collage and an appropriate tribute to B.B. King's sweeping influence. (MCA)

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