On report, the pairing of B.B. and T-Bone Burnett sounds like some overenthusiastic A&R man�s frightful idea. Sophisticated blues passkey King is in no need of a rootsy makeover from Burnett, a producer who�s greatest winner came with the bone-dry throwback Americana soundtrack to �O Brother, Where Art Thou?� But the unlikely musical wedlock works. Burnett frees B.B. from commercial considerations and lets him do his still-potent thing on a selection of tunes by classic blues figures including T-Bone Walker, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson and John Lee Hooker. The all-star support players, including Dr. John on forte-piano, Jim Keltner on drums, Nathan East on sea bass and a horn section - quash sounding self-consciously retro, resulting in a set that�s rock-solid. At age 82, B.B.�s voice may be froggier - not actually a sorry thing in this case - simply his guitar playing remains as pointed as an ice beak. Download: �Get These Blues Off Me.�
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