Eric Clapton & B. B. King: Riding With The King - 2000

This is a long-awaited collaboration between the then 74 year-old King and 55 year-old Clapton. In many ways it is more of a King album than it is a Clapton one, his presence is so strong and dominant and Clapton's respect is such that he almost takes too much of a back seat at times. 

No matter really, because King's contribution is so good, both on guitar and with his gruff, bluesy vocal. The sound quality is excellent too. Riding With The King is a copper-bottomed blues rock corker with both legendary guitarist giving it all they've got, both musically and vocally. Wonderful stuff. Ten Long Years is a thumping, classic blues. Key To The Highway, covered many times by Clapton and also by The Rolling Stones in the early days features Clapton quite a bit, although King more than plays his part, taking two verses as well. 

Marry You is a very Clapton-sounding mid-pace rock number. It is solid. muscular and full-on, however, nothing laid-back here. Very enjoyable. 

The pair's cover of Sam & Dave's Hold On, I'm Comin' is impressive, building up slowly before they come in on the vocal duetting. The guitar interplay at the end is stunning. This really has been a most enjoyable album from two artists at the top of their game. You get the impression they both really enjoyed it. So did I.

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