BB King factoid!?

kissmybASS01 · #1 06-08-2008, 01:39 AM

At one of our recent gigs, our sax player gave our female singer her new stage nickname, "DD King" because she can't sing and play the tamborine at the same time.

I asked our sax player/bandleader why the nickname and he then asked if I have ever noticed that when BB King plays Lucille, he doen't sing, and vice versa. Can BB King not play and sing at the same time. I've only seen Mr. King on TV and his appearance in the movie Blues Brothers 2000 (great movie BTW)

Can someone who knows a little about BB King shed some light, or for that matter anyone who's had the great opportunity to hear him perform live.

Sneckumhaw · #2 06-08-2008, 01:55 AM

A lot of those great blues guys don't play and sing at the same time. I'm not so sure it's because they can't or just to show who's boss. Buddy Guy comes to mind as a guy who definitely can play and sing at the same time but often chooses not to. He pays his second guitarist for a reason.

Maybe BB never learned, but I'd be surprised. He probably has at certain points played and sung at once. I've heard a live recording of him playing piano and singing at the same time and if he can do that, guitar and singing is not really harder.

And now that I think of it I think he played and sang at the same time on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air...

I really think it's a "cool" thing. And it does rock if you can pull it off.

Sneckumhaw · #3 06-08-2008, 01:56 AM

Don't try it on the bass though!

fourstringdrums · #4 06-08-2008, 02:12 AM

He probably can, I just think it's a stylistic choice. In blues you usually respect the guitar and let it do the talking

Woodchuck · #5 06-08-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

He probably can, I just think it's a stylistic choice. In blues you usually respect the guitar and let it do the talking

+1.

soong · #6 06-09-2008, 02:14 AM

I always thought BB King just struggled to play chords and could only do lead blues guitar, which is why he cant play during verses and only solo.

FreaqyFrequency · #7 06-09-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneckumhaw

Don't try it on the bass though!

Tell that to Mr. Lee and Mr. Claypool.

On topic though, very interesting. I agree that it's probably not a matter of him not being able to, so much as it is that he doesn't want to hog the spotlight when he has a talented band behind him. Or maybe for a different reason.

If that is true, I admire him that much more.

superbassman2000 · #8 06-09-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Suck At Bass

I always thought BB King just struggled to play chords and could only do lead blues guitar, which is why he cant play during verses and only solo.

thats what he said in a solo--he wasn't great at chords

in any case, i think it works--it makes the guitar a second voice, almost a counterpoint to his, and it sounds cool!

BillMason · #9 06-09-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kissmybASS01

At one of our recent gigs, our sax player gave our female singer her new stage nickname, "DD King" because she can't sing and play the tamborine at the same time.

I asked our sax player/bandleader why the nickname and he then asked if I have ever noticed that when BB King plays Lucille, he doen't sing, and vice versa. Can BB King not play and sing at the same time. I've only seen Mr. King on TV and his appearance in the movie Blues Brothers 2000 (great movie BTW)

Can someone who knows a little about BB King shed some light, or for that matter anyone who's had the great opportunity to hear him perform live.

I watched a BB King DVD (The BET Jazz Channel DVD series) where he talked about this on stage - it's true.

Aaron · #10 06-09-2008, 09:49 PM

Works as a great effect. It seems that most lead guitarists lack the ability to stop playing when the vocal comes in.

BillMason · #11 06-10-2008, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron

Works as a great effect. It seems that most lead guitarists lack the ability to stop playing when the vocal comes in.

Yeah, no kidding - like if they stop playing the song will stop. I think too many guitar players spend too much time in their rooms alone and not enough playing with other musicians. Mine tend to EQ their guitars really bassy and don't know to leave space in a song, and I have to get after them so we don't sound like a big ol' bucket of mud. BB King rules, my #1 favorite guitar player, the master of tasteful playing.

lowenduser · #12 06-10-2008, 04:08 AM

Check about 1:10 into this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMk_K9t2EPk

Aaron · #13 06-10-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillMason

Yeah, no kidding - like if they stop playing the song will stop. I think too many guitar players spend too much time in their rooms alone and not enough playing with other musicians. Mine tend to EQ their guitars really bassy and don't know to leave space in a song, and I have to get after them so we don't sound like a big ol' bucket of mud. BB King rules, my #1 favorite guitar player, the master of tasteful playing.

When it comes down to it- not playing might be the hardest thing to do in music.

FreaqyFrequency · #14 06-10-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron

When it comes down to it- not playing might be the hardest thing to do in music.

And most of the time, it's what shows how truly professional a musician is when they don't try to cram into the spotlight with everyone else who's wanking onstage.

LilRay · #15 06-10-2008, 07:10 PM

BB and most blues musicians are known for a "Call and response" between themselves and their respective instruments. Simple but very powerful and effective style.
Go see BB live. I guarantee you'll never forget it.

Later R.

LilRay · #16 06-10-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillMason

BB King rules, my #1 favorite guitar player, the master of tasteful playing.

+1000