King, B.B.: Life Of Riley

B.B. KINGThe Life Of RileyMVD Visual 2014 DVDReprinted with permission from Blues Music Magazine“Sincere, honest, true, for real, genuine. If you have those five things, then you can play the blues.” Carlos Santana. Within the first three minutes, Santana accurately and succinctly describes the life and music of B.B. King. Follow that with testimonials by Bonnie Raitt, John Mayall, Walter Trout, Joe Bonamassa, and Eric Clapton, and The Life Of Riley kicks off with all the power of a one-note lick on Lucille. From there, Jon Brewer’s documentary, narrated by Morgan Freeman, traces the rise of and subsequent worldwide notoriety that B.B. King has amassed throughout his glorious lifetime. The first 15 minutes trace King’s early life in and around Indianola, Mississippi. Sitting on his bus or in his Las Vegas house, he reminisces about his parents, his music, his school years, his Sunday’s in the church, sharecropping, segregation, and the earliest music he heard. Standing on a plowed cotton field, King also gives insight into the backbreaking labor of a sharecropper. At the 30-minute mark, King heads off to Memphis, only to fail in that first trip at establishing his musical mark. It was there, however, King sat with his cousin Bukka White and absorbed essential musical lessons. He explains how his signature vibrato was born through his frustrations of trying to emulate White’s vibrating slide on strings. After eight months, King returned to his tractor-driving job. After he paid off his debts, he returned to Memphis for good. Bobby “Blue” Bland and Rufus Thomas share Beale street stories, and King tells of his jobs and radio show at WDIA. His earliest recordings, “Miss Martha King” and “Three O’Clock Blues,” and his baptizing Lucille were the start of his early-1950’s popularity. At the one-hour mark, Buddy Guy, Derek Trucks, Dr. John, Bono, Robert Cray, Walter Trout, Robert Lockwood, jr. Jonny Lang, and Susan Tedeschi all explain the gifts King was born with. Later, Billy Boy Arnold, Ronnie Wood, Mick Taylor, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Doyle Bramhall II, Joe Bonamassa, Paul Rodgers, Carlos Santana, and Peter Green, all offer praise his 1964 Live At The Regal recording His second wife, Sue Carol Hall, tells of the tumultuous life married from 1958 to the early 1960s to a musician who was logging 320+ nights a year. Sid Seidenberg tells of charting a more lucrative course in the 1960s; British invasion luminaries tell of his influence in England in the 1950s and 1960s; King lovingly tells of his standing ovations at his first Fillmore West gig in 1967 when he performed on a bill with Moby Grape and Steve Miller. By shifting from all-black audiences on the chitlin’ circuit to playing for white college kids on rock circuit, King took the blues to the whole world. Once there, “The Thrill Is Gone” only cemented his global status. Decades later, Bono recounts the experience of writing “When Love Comes To Town,” complete with detailed explanations of composing and filmed performances broadcasting King to worldwide audiences. When Bono was showing B.B. the charts, King countered to him, “Gentlemen, I don’t do chords. I do this.” The final 20 minutes chronicle his Riding With The King album with Eric Clapton, musical tributes from his peers, snippets of his yearly homecoming concerts in Indianola, and a brief introduction to his museum, which opened in 2008 in Indianola. Throughout the two-hours, B.B. himself tell his life stories. Most are well-known and oft-repeated. But here, they are augmented with his recordings, archival photos, or filmed performances. Throughout his stories, told on buses, in hotel or backstage rooms, or at his home, we can see the aging of King. From a 70-something King with President Clinton to an 87-year-old King singing “Sweet Home Chicago” with President Obama in 2012, one can clearly see the physical effects, but the voice and guitar originality still come through as powerfully as ever. With King’s passing, this DVD docu-biography offers King’s longtime fans and friends another chance to celebrate the 65+ years of his enormous gifts we were blessed to have. For new fans, this DVD will throw open the curtain of discovery.– Art Tipaldi Editor-In-Chief - Blues Music Magazine

Extraordinary biography about the extraordinary life of a very extraordinary human being who changed the way blues guitar is played and who brought blues music into mainstream America and, then, the rest of the world. This is a fabulous acknowledgement to one of the most important blues singers and guitar players who ever lived - a must-see for any BB King it blues affecianado.

If you're a fan of Riley "B.B." King, if you're a fan of the blues genre of music, if you're a fan of the oppressed overcoming what seemed to be insurmountable odds to gain world fame and fortune, then you should buy, "The Life of Riley." B.B. King is an icon to anyone who has faced adversity. I thought the film was great, well worth the price. I also recommend, "Blues all Around Me," the autobiography of B.B. King written with David Ritz.

I learned much in the life of B. B. King I never knew. It starts with where he was born, brief accounts of his parents, those who raised him. Some who raised him give their accounts of what it was life, including when he first owned a guitar. A very detailed account of all decades of his life, his concerts, his relationships. Very entertaining and very informative. Those who are masters in the genre of Blues give him the highest accolades...well deserved!

The Life of Riley is as good an expo of the great man as you'll get. The first section covering BB's early years is riveting viewing and blends beautifully into his music career, blues emergence and eventual iconography. I'm a self copnfessed fan, having seen BB and his (best) band in concert in Melbourne Australia in the mid 1970s, around the time of his Zaire gig, but despite this enjoyed this documentary as a complete, in depth narrative of a great man, told by himself, his relations and his many contemporaries and friends. The music is great too, especially the gradual emewrgence of his distinctive guitar style.If you want a criticism, BB does get a little " syrupy" about himself and his greatness from time to time, but this is amply countered by the dry reality of the likes of Bill Wyman, Walter Trout and Eric Clapton who do their best to tell it like it is and was. It's also worth the price of the DVD to see Barack Obama belt out a snippet of "Sweet Home Chicago". Thoroughly recommended.

Wonderful story about the life of B.B. King!!! Leaves no doubt, that he is truly a humble gentleman. Also, that he has impacted, and inspired countless people all around the world in so many ways. Not just with his music, but by being the caring person that he is. This film may make a B.B. King fan out of you, if you aren't one already. I'm glad I added it to my video library.

Excellent.....Starts with BB's birth; progresses thru youth and exposure to hearing and playing music; to performing locally and....eventually...performing all over the word.Ends with thoughts about his end of life.I felt every emotion available to me. I am going to buy a few. This man has influenced world wide musicians; has met presidents, religious leaders, etc......AND HAS REMAINED HUMBLE. In fact, every year he returns to his "little" hometown.

The biggest names in music (musicians, not just entertainers) all unanimously join in praising B for his years of influence.In the band I play with (Blues DeLuxe from Trenton, NJ), we just call him "B". Every body knows who you mean.This is the guy they were talking about when they invented the phrase, "You da man". BB's the man. This movie proves it.

As much as I'm sorry I missed so many legendary performers from the earlier days, I am equally greatful to have seen BB King many times over the years. I owe that to his work ethic. This film reminds me of my gratitude and how it was possible.Thank you Riley !

La vie de BB King racontée par BB KING et par ses amis.Des anecdotes touchantes, des moments forts mais aussi parfois drôles ...Le moyen idéal de briser le mythe et de se rendre compte qu'en plus d'un artiste de génie, BB KING était un homme exceptionnel.Livraison rapide et soignée ! Un must !!

What a shame that it was BB's death that prompted me to buy this DVD. A true gentleman of the blues, and a real loss for the whole music industry. He was the ideal example to upcoming guitarists that playing at light speed is not necessary - play less but with more feeling.This DVD has BB telling his own life story. Surely it gets no better than that - the whole thing from the horses mouth! Interviews with other stars show how highly regarded he was by all, even his ex wife, and there is not many others who could make that claim.Well worth getting this, as his like will not be seen again.

BBの伝説がたくさん出て来ますもう一度ライブに行きたい気になります

Amazing portrait of a true legend. I had the pleasure of meeting BB and spent some time with him. This movie gives you a glimpse into his kind soul. There will never be another like him.