B.B. King: The Definitive Collection (Guitar Signature Licks) [Paperback]

~ "B.B. King - The Definitive Collection" by Wolf Marshall is the first of two B.B. King book/CD combo packs in the Hal Leonard Guitar Signature Licks series - the second being "B.B. King - Blues Legend: A Step-by-Step Breakdown of His Guitar Styles and Techniques (Guitar Signature Licks)" by Dave Rubin. Learning the licks in this book (as well as those in "Blues Legend") will provide any guitarist with a firm basis for the understanding of the genius of B.B. King.
~ The 64-page book begins with a half-page biography, a discography, and a half-page discussion of the guitars and amps used by B.B. The CD features demonstrations of the transcriptions by a quartet augmented by reeds and brass when needed. The transcriptions in standard notation and tab notation are faithful to the accompanying disc, and they are close enough to the original B.B. King version to allow the student of this book to approach the sound of B.B. King. Each transcription is fully analyzed and explained by Wolf Marshall.
~ Of special interest related to this book/CD is the fact that there is a DVD of the same name published by Hal Leonard with instructions and demonstrations by Andy Aledort. See my review of that item at this link Guitar Signature Licks: B.B. King. Where appropriate below I have added a note indicating which of these transcripts are included in that DVD.
~ Another item of interest related to this book/CD is the Hal Leonard Guitar Play-Along book/CD "B.B. King: Guitar Play-Along Volume 100". Although the transcriptions in "Play-Along #100" and "The Definitive Collection" differ slightly, they are close enough to allow any guitarist to reconcile the differences. The transcripts in the "Play-Along #100" book include everything B.B. plays, not just select segments. See my review of that item at this link B.B. King: Guitar Play-Along Volume 100. Where appropriate below I have added a note indicating which of the transcripts in this book/CD are included in "Play-Along #100."
~ The listing of the tunes follows along with a brief description of what is transcribed.
* Beautician Blues - 12-bar solo
* Cryin' Won't Help You - intro, 12-bar solo - also included in DVD
* Don't Answer The Door - intro, 12-bar solo
* Five Long Years - intro, 12-bar solo - also included in DVD
* Just Like A Woman - intro, head, 36-bar solo - also included in DVD and "Play-Along #100"
* Paying The Cost To Be The Boss - intro, 12-bar solo - also included in "Play-Along #100"
* Please Love Me - intro, 12-bar solo
* Riding With The King - entire song, including parts played by both B.B. King and Eric Clapton.
* Rock Me Baby - intro, 12-bar solo - also included in DVD and "Play-Along #100"
* Sweet Little Angel - intro, 12-bar solo - also included in DVD and "Play-Along #100"
* Sweet Sixteen - intro, 24-bar solo - also included in "Play-Along #100"
* Three O'Clock Blues - intro, 12-bar solo
* The Thrill Is Gone - intro, 12-bar solo, 48-bar solo - also included in DVD
* Why I Sing The Blues - intro, 12-bar solo - also included in "Play-Along #100"
* You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now - intro, 12-bar solo - also included in DVD
* You Upset Me Baby - intro, 12-bar solo - also included in DVD and "Play-Along #100"
~ In light of the fact that this book/CD package can be combined with the DVD and the "Play-Along #100" book/CD, this is an excellent place to start learning how to play the music of B.B. King. Highly recommended.

What can I say- if you want to play the blues, start with the best. Build your foundation on solid ground. BB is all about phrasing. Not speed, not technique, PHRASING. He's not trying to impress you, he's trying to move you. Get it. His solos breath. This is mature music, fully rooted in tradition, hard won, deeply felt. If its blues you want to learn, this is it.

Now about the book itself- it's great. Starts out with some really early BB where he sounds more like T Bone Walker- nice selection of songs leading up to his album with Eric Clapton. You can definitely take a lot of licks away from this. My one minor gripe is that its better to listen to the original recordings when playing these than the redone ones on the CD included. BB's phrasing is so unique, you should go right to the source.

Now, if you REALLY want to learn to play like BB, get yourself a Tascam MP GT1, and put BB King Live at the Regal and Live in Japan CD's on there and start grinding your way through- no tab- just learn it by ear. Its surprisingly easy to do with this wonderful device.

Great book though. One of the greatest blues guitar players of all time.

Only problem is that its not a full guitar tab but then again you want to learn the STYLE and Techniques OF B.B King. This musician/author gave interesting details on what and why B.B King picked these scales in a logical way lol.