He takes the stage like an ageing heavyweight prizefighter, flanked by seconds – but, once safely on his stool and his guitar Lucille is in his hands, the 85-year-old Blues Boy still has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Lucille is slung to the side for Key To The Highway, until the verses have been delivered – then, as of old, King’s fingers do the talking. His voice seems in good fettle, even if some of the punctuating licks now come from his backing guitarist.
The main selling point of the DVD, however, is the array of special guests – Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Slash, Ronnie Wood and Mick Hucknall – who stroll on mid-set. Whether they’re distractions or attractions depends on your point of view, though a singalong You Are My Sunshine is unlikely to inspire repeated viewings.
There are a lot of musical and lyrical references to mortality. See That My Grave Is Kept Clean is followed by a jokey “death march” aside in All Over Again. King’s aware he’s on borrowed time, but still playing for laughs. The thrill ain’t gone… but if you like your BB and your blues in unvarnished format, 2007’s club-recorded Live may make for more palatable viewing.
