Mississippi born Riley B. King began playing music on the streets of his native Indianola in the '40s, eventually moving to Memphis to pursue a career as a bluesman. He found a home as a DJ on legendary Memphis radio Station WDIA in the early '50s, a position he used to further his budding reputation as a guitarist/singer to be reckoned with. His very modern, urban style was influenced not only by T-Bone Walker, but by jazz guitarist Charlie Christian. King's gestalt was miles away from the blues' rural beginnings, relying on witty, sophisticated lyrics and almost jazzy rhythms. His signature guitar style combined quick vibrato with cutting, single-note lines and aggressively bent notes. His boisterous vocals, entertainment-value showmanship and gregarious personality made him beloved not just to blues aficionados, but to the larger pop audience. Released in August 1998, 16 tracks, including:
01- Every Day I Have The Blues (live)
02- Sweet Little Angel (live)
03- How Blue Can You Get
04- Paying The Cost To Be The Boss
05- Don't Answer the Door
06- Why I Sing The Blues
07- The Thrill Is Gone
08- I Like To Live the Love
09- Hummingbird
10- To Know You Is To Love You
11- Chains And Things
12- Better Not Look Down
13- Never Make A Move Too Soon
14- There Must Be A Better World Somewhere
15- Playing With My Friends (w/ Robert Cray)
16- When Love Comes To Town (w/ U2)