Matt LuceyIntro to Joe and the Others Involved
Last month, Joe Bonamassa, along with a group of other artists, announced that they would be compiling a tribute album to BB King. Bonamassa himself had a rich friendship with BB King. Having been a guitar prodigy, by the age of 12, Joe Bonamassa is a stellar guitarist. After meeting BB King, King was stunned by the young man’s abilities. That year, Bonamassa opened for about 20 shows for King. The following years, as Bonamassa built his career, King was a staunch supporter. Not only did Bonamassa continue to worship King, he took much inspiration from the master in his own playing. With such a relationship, this tribute album is hardly a surprise.
Other features on this track include the couple, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. This musical marvel is a well known rock group, both incredible singers, songwriters and guitarists. Incidentally, the couple, alongside John Mayer, also shared a stage with BB King in the past. Notably, when Derek Trucks launched into a particularly incredible slide solo, BB King couldn’t refrain from commenting. “Thats about as good as I ever heard”, noted the legend. Again, like the rest of the blues community, Susan and Derek hold BB in very high regard.
What Brought This About
In February 2026, the BB King Blues summit is set to take place. The musical community is excited to hear what the musicians involved have ready for us. Jimmie Vaughan, Kingfish and Buddy Guy, amongst others, are all involved in the making of this incredible event. Naturally, tributes to the legend are bound to be abundant. 5 other tracks are already available on the various streaming services.
Included on this particular track are Joe Bonamassa, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and Michael Mcdonald. Bonamassa, Tedeschi and Trucks are all talented guitarists. Michael McDonald is a well known keyboardist and singer. His previous endeavours include playing in Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers. He plays with the advantage of years of experience, being a peer of BB, as well as a fan.
The song
King released this song originally in 1973. The original is a soulful blues track with keyboard by Stevie Wonder. It rings with BBs classic clean and perfectly phrased guitar work, as well as his distinctive powerful voice.
This cover is a faithful adaptation. The keyboard, curtesy of McDonald, is perfect. While less soulful than Wonders original version, the more structured style lends itself to the varied vocals. Tedeschi, alongside what I imagine to be Trucks, takes on the vocals. This is arguably the soul of the song. While no one can replicate the bold, powerful singing of BB, these two give it their all. With such a strong pairing, they share the responsibility, taking turns in singing. All the while, the guitar-work is phenomenal, as is to be expected. The majority of the licks heard throughout the song are respectfully BB-esque.
The song, while not exactly the same, keeps the same beats as the original. The solo comes in with King in mind again. Tidy and polished, without feeling boxed in, it feels like a King solo. This is no surprise, with how prevalent King’s influence is in the world of the Blues. The genre as it exists today is heavily due to BB and his guitar style. The BB box, a scale used by BB, might at first seem limiting. It is with punctuation, vibrato and skill, that this small scale became the cornerstone of BB’s music. With that in mind, the music put forward here, by the band, was always, inherently, going to show influences from BB King. The remainder of the song continues in the same vein, living up to the original.
Conclusion
This was a really tasty rendition of a classic song. BB himself would love it. We know that because he knew and loved the musicians that were involved. The blues lives on, and nothing makes it clearer than seeing these beautiful tributes pouring in for one of the Heroes who is no longer with us.
