Indianola Mississippi Seeds - B. B. KING****

Nobody Loves Me But My Mother/You're Still My Woman/Ask Me No Questions/Until I'm Dead & Cold/King's Special/Ain't Gonna Worry My Life Anymore/Chains & Things/Go Underground/Hummingbird

Indianola Mississippi Seeds was the highest charting album of new material from blues legend B. B. King, who appeared to be on a creative high at the turn of the decade. (US:26)

"Although not quite as strong and cohesive as B.B. King's previous release Indianola Mississippi Seeds contains some sweetly scintillating, chills up and down your spine musical vibes. These bluesy, rhythmic pulsations are supplied by a bevy of young, then unknown up and coming musicians who really put their own unique brand of polish to the tracks."

"Most musicians of King's stature have learned that you can't stay in a rut and play the same songs or style, or you run the risk of being relegated to the oldie's music circuit, forever stuck in the past trying to capture past glories. This album is King seeing what he can do with a blues/rock hybrid, and he does it with style."

"B.B. King in the late 60s and early 70s started to incorporate a more mainstream rock sound into his blues roots. The most cohesive album of the period is 1970's Indianola Mississippi Seeds. It contains some stinging guitar work as well as some of Mr. King's best vocal work. His voice is strong and earthy and he digs into the songs with a master's hand. This album isn't for blues purists, but if you are a casual fan of the genre, this is a great album to start with."

"Put these songs into the hands of the usual California suspects of the time alone and you'd probably have gotten a sow's ear out of a silk purse. And the feeling you get from King's singing and guitar playing throughout is that not only does he know it, but he knows precisely how to teach these otherwise somnambulistic whippersnappers a little lesson in soul. The result is one of the most likeable and affecting albums in the B.B. King canon."

"Not really a typical King album at all - more of a soul jam. An awesome one. Hummingbird is the standout track, and that one is really spectacular - the long ecstatic gospel chorus coda is one of my favourite musical moments of all time."

"This is a very powerful and moving record. Good for both serious and dilettante blues listeners. You'll never tire of it. Can't recommend it enough."