Riding With the King

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Product Details

Artist : Eric, B.B. King Clapton
Format : Enhanced
Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0093624761228
Label : Reprise
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : Music
Release Date : 2000-06-13
UPC : 093624761228

ASIN : B00004THAY

Track Listings for

Disc-1
1. Riding With the King
2. Ten Long Years
3. Key to the Highway
4. Marry You
5. Three O'Clock Blues
6. Help the Poor
7. I Wanna Be
8. Worried Life Blues
9. Days of Old
10. When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer
11. Hold On! I'm Comin'
12. Come Rain or Come Shine

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Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

Eric Clapton and B.B. King first recorded together for one track on King's 1997 album Deuces Wild, an experience so satisfying that they decided they'd better do it again. Before long, Clapton announced on US television that one of his remaining ambitions was to make an entire album with King. Roping in producer Simon Climie, who had been such an integral part of Clapton's hugely successful Pilgrim album, the pair hunkered down in Los Angeles and set to work rejuvenating and re-interpreting a bunch of King's classics including "Ten Long Years", "Three O'Clock Blues", "Help The Poor" and "Days Of Old". They also take on a bunch of other goodies including a slow, bluesey reading of Sam & Dave's "Hold On I'm Coming" and, appropriately enough, a witty take on John Hiatt's "Riding With The King". They reach back to 1946 for the Johnny Mercer/Harold Arlen standard "Come Rain Or Come Shine", and even dip into the 1930s to resurrect Big Bill Broonzy's "Keys To The Highway", where their trading of tasty acoustic licks is a particular joy. Throughout Riding With The King, Climie has kept the production admirably simple, with King's voice and guitar in one stereo channel while Clapton's is in the other, helping create a vital intimacy, as if they're playing across a small room to each other. --Johnny Black

Chronique amazon.fr

B.B. King et Eric Clapton sont en voiture, et c'est Clapton qui conduit. Mais c'est juste pour la photo. Car la rencontre du Dieu et du Roi a toutes les allures d'une rencontre au sommet. De l'Olympe, forcément. Et cette rencontre entre les deux plus grands guitaristes de blues du monde a tout d'une soirée en ville entre deux copains. Les deux hommes se connaissent depuis trop longtemps, et savent trop ce qu'ils se doivent l'un à l'autre pour (se) raconter des histoires. L'un (Clapton, dit "God") sent qu'il ne serait rien sans l'autre (B.B. King), tandis que le second a toujours su qu'il pouvait compter sur la gratitude éternelle du jeune premier. Et les deux musiciens de se livrer à une grande fête de la guitare, autour d'un répertoire où ils vont se partager vocaux et parties instrumentales. Au programme, des chansons où B.B. comme Clapton peuvent se reconnaître - des titres signés des anciens, Big Bill Broonzy par exemple, mais aussi John Hiatt ou Isaac Hayes - et puis celles que B.B. a écrites ("Ten Long Years", "Three O'Clock Blues", plus de 8 minutes de bonheur total). Et de ce duel des plus amicaux, c'est le blues qui sort gagnant, et la tête haute. --José Ruiz

Customer Reviews

Jaw Dropping (2005-03-10)

This disc is stellar and a must have for anyone with even an inkling of appreciation for the blues or either of the featured artists.

King and Clapton's battling axes here are nothing short of stunningly brilliant - this one is a keeper. There isn't one cut on this ablum that is mediocre, and most are simply fantastic - how many discs can claim that these days? If for nothing else, buy it for the cover alone.

Not the second coming, but a nice listen while it lasts (2004-06-26)

This album opens with a great rendition of John Hiatt's 1983 rocker "Riding With The King", which has very little to do with blues, but who cares...B.B. King is entitled to a bit of a break now and again, I suppose!

There is a lot of genuine blues here as well, however, and the eight-minute "Three O'Clock Blues" burns with long and (usually) excellent guitar solos from both men. Other highlights include a good rendition of Big Bill Broonzy's "Key To The Highway", a song which Clapton has recorded again and again for over 30 years, a nice, acoustic "Worried Life Blues", a seven-minute version of King's own "When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer", and the best song on the album, a delightfully swinging "Help The Poor", Charles Singleton's 60s classic.

There are some clunkers here..."Marry You" and "I Wanna Be" are a couple of bland, repetitive dime-a-dozen rock songs, and the novelty-like "Days Of Old" isn't destined for classic-status either, but most of the album works really well, although a whole handful of weak songs are too many. It's not the grittiest blues record I've ever heard (or the bluesiest), but it's a nice listen while it lasts.3 3/4 stars. Good enough.

Riding with the King (...and his grovelling apprentice) (2004-06-13)

Hmm, so big anticipation for this record and it lived up to it, i guess. It starts strong with Riding with the King, and immediately shows who's in charge here - BB's in control. For Clapton this is a chance for direct comparison to his hero. Listening you get the impression that he's going all out to impress but even on BB's average days he'd still lose.

Nevertheless, there are some outstanding blues on this album. The Big Bill Broonzy favourite, Key to the Highway, previously covered by both men, shows a rare acoustic treat on BB's behalf and seems to be a favourite with previous reviewers. The seven minute reworking on 3'o clock Blues is awesome as well; it features some great BB vocals and delicate guitar work by both men. My favourite track however is Days of Old. An up tempo Chicago blues, it shows a comfort between the two that perhaps is lacking on some of the slower tunes where Clapton flags.

Low lights are Help the Poor (see BB's Live at the Regal for a better version) and I Wanna Be which doesn't really seem to fit in with the blues genre. Overall, had Clapton not been quite so in awe of his recording partner here a better effect would have been acheived (even his liner notes seem rather incoherent compared to B's.) Having said this, for an introduction to the blues and BB King for fans of Clapton's rock legacy, this album is a good place to start. It shows what the two legends love to do and despite weak moments it is genuine and proves that Pop Idol is not the be all and end all of 21st century music.

Inspired music from two Greats (2004-05-28)

Okay. I have just purchased the new Eric Clapton's CD called Me and Mr. Johson. And boy, did I dislike that CD for its lack of inspiration.

I wrote a review of it. Gave it a 3 star.

Then I got to thinking... when has EC made some decent music in the past ten or so years? Well one recording is THIS ONE.

This recording has passion, great singing, and some fantastic interplay between two guitar players.

I totally enjoy every song, and perhaps the presence of BB KING EC found that he must be on good, inspired behavior since he does not sleep walk through this recording like he seemingly did on some others.

Another great recording to grab onto, From The Cradle. Perhaps the best EC release in 20 years.

Clapton doesn't understand the blues (2004-05-06)

Clapton's "whitewashed" version od the blues just pales in compariosn with BB's soulful meaningful and powerful blues. If we could only edit out all of Clapton's parts thsi would be a great date. Too bad they didn't match BB with John Lee Hooker instead, he was still around back then. Oh well...

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