Slash, Joe Louis Walker photo

B.B. King Tribute

It was lightning in a bottle. Some of the best guitarists and vocalists performed for The Life and Legacy of B.B. King, a live tribute concert to honor the legacy of the 15-time Grammy winner. Put on by the Grammy Foundation and Grammy Museum on September 1, 2016 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, the concert featured outstanding performances by Grammy nominees and winners influenced by the King of the Blues.

This concert was proof that an all-star cast like this can knock your socks off if produced correctly, which it was. The lineup went like this: Keb’ Mo’, Joe Bonamassa, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Slash, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jimmy Vaughan and others.

Jimmy Vivino, music director of the “Conan” TV show, joined by the Basic Cable Band, directed the night.

Let’s start with one of the big performances of the evening. All of the featured musicians and vocalists opened the show with B.B. King’s renowned, “The Thrill is Gone.” Susan Tedeschi’s killer vocals were rich and soulful. Even though I’m a big fan of Tedeschi, I hadn’t heard her sing like she did that night. It was as if she were singing, Telecaster in hand, in a smoky, roadhouse bar down in Texas.

Susan Tedeschi photo

Susan Tedeschi

Accompanying her with rhythm and some pretty amazing guitar solos, was her husband, Derek Trucks. Trucks is a superb guitar player but until this concert, I didn’t know just how good. Joe Bonamassa, whose technical prowess as a guitarist is matched by few, followed with impressive riffs and solos. Keb’ Mo’ followed with some tasty licks and amped blues vocals.

It’s hard to pick a standout for the night with such an impressive list of musicians. You’ve seen televised tributes and shows that feature kick-ass singers and musicians. Sometimes these shows are a disappointment because of sound issues that interfere with the performances. Think Adele’s performance at the 2016 Grammy’s and the audio problems that dinged her vocals.

But at this concert the sound production was seamless, the orchestration of the show close to perfection.

For B.B. King’s, “You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now,” Kenny Wayne Shepherd performed a body rattling guitar solo. A Stevie Ray Vaughan disciple, Shepherd took the night by storm. He threw himself into the song with a solo that had everyone in our row on their feet. His command of his Strat was masterful, his guitar chops insane. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Fully immersed in the solo, the audience could not get enough.

Susan Tedeschi sang in a similar all-out fashion on “How Blue Can You Get,” something I’d not seen her do before that night. Her performance drove me to search for a possible new album.

Slash executed an outstanding call and answer with Jimmy Vivino on guitar. A true inspiration. An impressive rock guitarist, known for his agility on the fret board and ease with wicked fast solos. He did not disappoint.

To say this was a special concert is an understatement. It was thrilling to see so many talented artists perform all on one stage, honoring music from the blues master himself. I was grateful to be there, up close and personal, so to speak. The Annenberg is a small theater and there wasn’t a bad seat in the house.