Robert's Review of BB King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Taj Mahal at Shoreline Amphitheater , 8/7/99

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I caught a BB King led blues festival in Mountain View, CA. The bill tried to cover the bases with Indigenous leading off with their new style blues, veteran Taj Mahal with his own special variety of sounds, Kenny Wayne Shepherd playing the guitar hero, and BB being the grandfather of the blues.

Unfortunately the sound ate away at the music for most of the first two acts. Indigenous sound was too loud and distorted to understand no less enjoy. Taj's vocal were muddied for most of the songs leaving a rather undistinguished set. The sound cleared up for Kenny Wayne Shepherd but I've heard the guitar hero act done before and done better; he's good but the music was not good enough to move me consistently. Moments yes but not for a full set. However the crowd disagreed and loved every axe attack. Fortunately the sound was fine for BB and his band.

The last time I saw BB he and the band sat for the part of the show, this time he sat for the whole show. Which is fine because then he can concentrate on singing and playing. His voce is still strong growling like a bear or purring like a cub. After years of financial up and down's BB seems happy now playing the grandfather of the blues. He treats the audience like a kindly grandfather telling stories of life and love and giving advice through the blues. He didn't let Lucille talk as much as before instead he pushed the band into solos and demanded that the crowd respect the other players. But to paraphrase a TV ad, when Lucille speaks everyone listens.

Check him out when you can. The show was a reminder we won't have him playing live forever.



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