Mr. Blues

Similarly enjoyable are the ebullient "I´m Gonna Sit in ´Til You Give In" and "My Baby´s Comin´ Home," as they bear the distinct presence of King´s nimble guitar craft. Belford Hendricks took King through the decidedly sensitive "By Myself" and "A Mother´s Love" with arrangements that bring King´s intimate singing styles to the center of attention. Hendricks´ uncertainty as exactly how to present King is evident on the garish orchestration of "Tomorrow Night" and the Jesse Belvin co-penned "Guess Who." Yet those missteps pale when compared to the overbearing vocalists who smother the Teacho Wilshire-led "On My Word of Honor" and the opener "Young Dreamers." Perhaps one initial direction for King was as a Johnny Mathis-type of crooner, as these scores indicate little more than over-the-top leads. While Mr. Blues is far from a total washout, there are much better examples of B.B. King´s mastery as a singer and guitarist circa the early ´60s. That said, interested parties are encouraged to locate Hip-O Select´s 2006 CD reissue. It has the best-known transfer of the original analogue tapes, an exhaustively researched sessionography for each song, and full reproductions of the vintage LP jacket.