Reviewed by Simon Eden

The greatest ever blues guitarist doesn't play guitar on this album. For those about to go into shock, the opening track "Precious Lord" from 1959 is however accompanied by a 1972 version with blues guitar overdubbed on top of the original recordings here. This album is a compilation of the rare Crown album from 1959 'Sings Spirituals'. The 10 tracks here are supplemented by eight additional recordings obtained from singles or previously unissued material, six of which are also from the 1950s. BB King's voice was dramatically different then, and more suited to the smooth end of gospel. Musically the organ, accompanied solely by drums and bass, dominates the style here. There is the occasional brass section that swings, but it is the vocal work and especially the clapping rhythms of the Southern California Community Choir/Charioteers that take listeners back to the days when black and white were segregated and gospel and blues didn't crossover. It also puts "'Swing Low Sweet Chariot" back in its proper context, other than a posh English rugby match, albeit with some inspired conga playing taking the fore. This album is engrossing time travel if some way from being the best of Blues Boy.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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