There are things in this life that continue to amaze me: autumn leaves changing colors right before my eyes; the taste of pure apple cider on a cool, crisp day; a stranger helping an elderly woman cross the road. And tonight, I was amazed. Amazed at the capacity of one person to singlehandedly move me. Amazed at how captivating music can be. Amazed at how I continue to bitch and complain all the way up until that moment when nothing else matters but the present company at hand.
Tonight, for the first time in my life, I heard B.B. King play live.
For starters, I love Blues music, but never make it out to Bluesfest at Grant Park. I’d hardly ever heard B.B. play, but I knew I was in for a treat. And even though the show only lasted about an hour and a half, I was captivated the moment he hobbled onto the stage (he is in his eighties, after all). He plays Lucille like nobody’s business, and even had some special guests along for the night, including actor Terrance Howard, Solange Knowles, and Richie Sambora.
Now, Terrance Howard, he is a gorgeous, gorgeous man, who makes the ladies swoon at a glance. He is also a musician (or was always a musician who also happens to act), and he tried to keep up with B.B., he did try, but B.B. outshone. (it is B.B., after all) Solange Knowles (Beyonce’s little sister) has the silkiest voice I have heard in a while, but her one song with a drooling B.B. didn’t do her justice. But the matchup of the year was definitely B.B. and Richie Sambora (from that little band called Bon Jovi). He walks out with this cherry red Les Paul guitar, and I start salivating. I mean literally, mouth open, drooling. So gorgeous. And Richie wasn’t bad either. But then the two of them just start playing, and it is pure magic in the house. The blues riffs mixed with the rock riffs…it was just an indescribable feeling. That feeling when you think there is no place in the world you would rather be than right where you are. It had nothing to do with the people I was with (since this was a work event, I was literally sitting on the stairs with the most perfect view, by myself, and I hardly even noticed) and everything to do with the magic from those two guitars. Totally inspired me to break out my guitars and start jamming…totally inspired me to take out my XM and tune to Bluesville, completely inspired me to just enjoy the moment. B.B.’s band was un-freaking believable. The band never gets credit, but they more than held their own. I loved the drummer. He was just having a grand old time. The horn section, the bassist, just everyone…they just don’t make music like this anymore, and that’s sad. But thank goodness B.B.’s still around, playing Lucille like he was born to play her.
Awe-inspiring. Brilliant. It’s one of those small things in life that just make you smile. And in these economic times, I realize how lucky I am to be able to do these things for free. And that makes me smile and count my lucky stars.
B.B. King with special guests Terrance Howard, Solange Knowles, and Richie Sambora should be coming to PBS in late November/early December…it probably won’t capture the same essence of what it did to me tonight, but it will definitely come close.
I only hope that when I am eighty+ years old, I will:
A) Still be playing music on my guitar, and
B) Still be able to sit up straight!
