(January 13, 2022) A famous name might be enough to fool the casual fan. However, that won’t be enough to pull a fast one over those with discerning ears. It might be enough to get you in the door, but a performer will stay there on the strength of their talent and drive. Singer Val B. King has a very famous surname. She is the proud granddaughter of the legendary blues, guitarist and singer B.B. King. And she’s captured the attention of some respected members of the jazz and R&B world in her initial forays as a singer and songwriter in her own right.
Ms. King has worked with saxophonist Najee and sang with Frank McComb on a nice duet titled “So Many Ways Than One.” And her latest release finds King taking on what is probably her grandfather’s most famous song, “The Thrill Is Gone,” a track that McComb produced.
King gives the tune her own spin, transforming it into a mid-tempo funk number that also incorporates elements of jazz and a rock influenced guitar solo. Six string soloing on “The Thrill is Gone” just sounds right, and the distorted rock sound used on this loving reimagining of her granddad’s classic serves to remind listeners that the blues are the roots and everything else is the fruit.
Check out Val B. King lending her sweet vocals to her B.B. King’s classic “The Thrill is Gone” here.
By Howard Dukes
Val B. King - "The Thrill Is Gone"
