Grand opening of BB's newest club (LOTS of pics)

[mmcquain]

Review of the GRAND OPENING OF BB King's Blues Club in Orlando, FL
(a.k.a. How I spent my 43rd birthday – Happy Birthday to Me!!!)

Yesterday (12/3) was my 43rd birthday and my present to myself was front row center tickets for the wife and I to the grand opening night of BB King's Blues Club in Orlando. The tickets included the show and meal. Being opening night, they had a couple of blocked off VIP sections (probably for "meet and greets" with the press, radio contest winners, etc.) but I have to say that I had the best seat in the house... at one point BB raised his glass (juice) to toast the audience and I held mine up and we "chinged" glasses together... without me having to even get out of my seat! I was that close!! At the end I got an autograph inside the front cover of my book (see picture below). When he first came on stage I was the first person he handed a guitar pick to... God must have been smiling on me bigtime yesterday as this was by far the best concert/birthday I've ever had. And now for the review...

The opening act (BB King's Blues Allstars) was the 11 piece house band for the club. They do a variety of R&B, Blues, Soul and Rock. Their lead singer is a lot like Otis Redding, the female singer is Aretha like, and their lead guitar player is similar to Stevie Ray Vaughan.

They did killer versions of "Respect", "Natural Woman", "Born Under A Bad Sign", "Try A Little Tenderness", "Come Together" and "Pride and Joy" (plus several others). The club is small enough (about 500 seats) that the lead guitar could walk completely around the room and balcony using his wireless while jamming on some killer blues riffs. They alone were well worth seeing. Here's a sample video clip:

http://www.mcquain.com/BB_King_12-3-2007/Blues_Allstars.mov (SRV style lead guitarist)

As for the food... very tasty. My wife said it was some of the best salmon she's ever had (and I agree). I had the BBQ chicken and ribs (yummy) and the collard greens, corn muffin, etc. were all great (just like BB's mama would make!!)

My only complaint (which was not really a big deal at all) would be the time it took to serve everyone was a little slow and was then slightly rushed before BB came onstage. But I'm sure this will be quickly addressed and it is easily forgiven since it was opening night and the first time the club had actually been at full capacity. They were supposed to have been open the night before (with just the house band playing) but weren't ready yet. If they had been able to have this night as a "dress rehearsal" then I'm sure the food service would have been better last night. I'm sure it will be even better the next time I'm there (which I hope can be soon!).

I wish I could go again this week. BB is playing tonight, Thursday and Friday (at age 82 I can understand his needing to take a break in the middle on Wednesday night). Very early into his set BB realized that there are a few tables that have limited views of the stage (basically back over BB's shoulders to the left and right). With his horn section standing to his right, the view is even more blocked.BB said that he would be addressing this with the club's management and would limit seating at future performances so as to ensure that everyone had a good view (he really does care so much about his fans). There were also the typical opening night issues with the sound system (feedback, monitor levels) but those seemed to be quickly addressed as BB's performance continued.

BB's set was great – just about 2 hours long. It included many of his standards, from his very humble opening of “Guess Who” to such classics as “The Letter”, “Rock Me Baby” and “How Blue Can You Get”. I did notice that his set did not include “Caldonia”, “Let The Good Times Roll”, “Just Like A Woman”, etc. But, as he pointed out, come back tomorrow and you’ll hear some different tunes as he likes to mix it up a bit.

Yes, at age 82 he isn't as fluid a player as years gone by but any of us would be lucky to still be doing what he does when we get to that age. His voice is as strong as ever. And his ability to tell stories and work with the crowd is as near perfect as I can think of. Early into his set he invited a starry-eyed kid (about 9-10) up onstage to shake hands. He had us all singing along, laughing, clapping and feeling honored to be with him on this special night. He said that never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he would get to where he was today, with his own signature clubs all over this country, having played in 90 different countries around the world, etc. Truly he IS the “King of the Blues”.

Now let me say that I'm sorry I don't have any sound on the video clips - I knew I should have paid more and got the better digital camera - these are from my "still" camera's video clip feature. But anyway, you can still get the idea of just how close we were (literally touching the stage) as these videos where taken with my camera resting on BB's floor monitors and with NO zoom at all. The last clip is during "The Thrill Is Gone" and you can make out him singing "...free, free, free now baby - I'm free from your spell..." What a night! What a view! What a performer! What an awesome birthday!!!!

http://www.mcquain.com/BB_King_12-3-2007/BB_King1.mov
http://www.mcquain.com/BB_King_12-3-2007/BB_King2.mov
http://www.mcquain.com/BB_King_12-3-2007/BB_King3.mov (Thrill Is Gone)

See all the pictures at: www.mcquain.com - /BB_King_12-3-2007/

Pictures (part 1 of 5)

BB talking to me - saying "Go ahead, take the picture..."



These are just a sample of the view I had...






Signing an autograph (my pen) for someone at our table...

[mmcquain]

Pictures (part 2 of 5)

[mmcquain]

Pictures (part 3 of 5)

[mmcquain]

Pictures (part 4 of 5)

Opening act (BB King’s Blues AllStars)…








BB’s rig…

[mmcquain]

Pictures (part 5 of 5)

BB’s band members’ rigs…




BB coming on stage…




Our seats and BB singing my book, etc…

[terence_tez]

that is one hell of birthday ain't it!!!
congratulations man...
being from singapore,i really hope that i'll have the honour of meeting him someday...

[Spicoli]

Wow, Too cool man. Happy Birthday!

[coldsteal2]

wow!!

[Gibsonblues]

Man ... What a treat. Thanks for posting Gibsonblues...

[Harpozep]

Great shots of a great time! Thanks for posting them. You wer4e soo close to him.? WOW!
And happy birthday!

[loneguitar]

EXCELLENT wow what a birthday to remember, thanks for posting sweet and Happy Birthday