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about
I wrote this song as a tribute to my hero BB King. In 2003 I met him at his club in Memphis where I played my Gibson 335 guitar on stage. BB gave me his plectrum and signed the guitar as well as the card.
I'm pleased the guitar is now being played by my son Alastair O'Donnell
I currently have two albums of classic blues and this song is featured on Into The Blue.
lyrics
WHEN BB SINGS THE BLUES
WHEN BB SINGS THE BLUES, THE MOUNTAINS SHAKE
WHEN BB PLAYS GUITAR, YOU FEEL THE EARTH QUAKE
WHEN BB SINGS THE BLUES, WHEN BB PLAYS THE BLUES
WHEN BB SINGS THE BLUES, WHEN BB PLAYS THE BLUES
BORN IN MISSISSIPPI, TO THE GOSPEL CROWD
HE WOULD STAND ON A STREET CORNER, PLAY THE BLUES OUT LOUD
HE WORKED AS A BOY, HELD THE REINS OF A MULE
A COTTON PICKER WORKING IN THE FIELDS
AT THE AGE OF NINE HE WOULD SING THE HOLLER
AN OLD SLAVE CHANT, THAT COULD EARN HIM A DOLLAR
HE MADE HIS FIRST GUITAR. WITH COTTON BALE WIRE
USED AN OLD BROOM, DREAMS OF GOING FAR
MISTER FLAKE CARTLEDGE, BIG BOSS MAN
LENT HIM FIFTEEN DOLLARS, BOUGHT HIS FIRST GUITAR
SATURDAY NIGHTS, HE'D LEAVE THE FIELDS FOR TOWN
GO LISTEN TO BASIE, PARKER, WHEN THEY'RE AROUND
YOUNG RILEY KING, PLAYED FOR THE LADIES, THEY SAY
SWIVEL OF THE WRIST, CALLED THE BUTTERFLY SOUND
A FIRE STARTED AT A JUKE JOINT GIG
A KEROSENE CONTAINER, THE CROWD ALL FLED
BB REALISED HIS GUITAR WAS IN THERE
LUCILLE WAS BORN, HE COULD HAVE BEEN DEAD
THREE HUNDRED SHOWS, EVERY YEAR
HEALING PEOPLE WITH THE BLUES, EVERYWHERE
ON THE ROAD, ON A BUS, IN A BOAT, IN THE AIR
WHEN BB PLAYS THE BLUES, YOU SHOULD BE THERE
credits
released December 18, 2018
Music mixed and co-produced by Jozef Rytlewski and Peter O'Donnell
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