Makin' Love Is Good For You

Over the years, the music world has seen its share of over-70 singers who kept performing even though they didn't have much of a voice left: Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra are among the names that come to mind. But when B.B. King entered his 70s, the veteran blues singer/guitarist could still belt it out with confidence, and he does exactly that on Makin' Love Is Good for You, which was recorded when King was 74. Although this blues/soul effort won't go down in history as one of his all-time classics, it's a respectable CD that finds his voice continuing to hold up well. King's charisma remains, and he has no problem getting his points across on 12-bar blues numbers like "Ain't Nobody Like My Baby," "I Got to Leave This Woman," and Willie Dixon's "Don't Go No Farther," as well as soul offerings such as the title song and an interpretation of Barbara George's 1961 hit "I Know." Because King has such a huge catalog, one could spend a fortune trying to acquire every title that he has out on CD. So unless you you're a serious collector and have a large budget, it's best to stick to his more essential recordings; and Makin' Love Is Good for You, although decent and respectable, isn't essential and isn't as interesting as 1999's Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan. Nonetheless, it can be an enjoyable addition to your blues library if you're among King's diehard fans. [A Japanese version added a bonus track.] ~ Alex Henderson|