Originally released on the budget Crown label in 1957, this was B. B. King’s long play debut. Containing no less than four number one R&B chart records, Singin’ The Blues also flaunts a wide range of styles. “You Know I Love You” hints of Roy Brown’s vocal influence, “Sweet Little Angel” features one of B.B.’s most dramatic guitar solos ever, while “Please Love Me” has what could be best described as a violent arrangement. Of the hits, “Ten Long Years,” “Everyday I Have The Blues” and “Three O’ Clock Blues,” all demonstrate B.B.’s dramatic sense of timing. His guitar solos and vocals punctuate the jazz-influenced, jump band arrangements at precisely the right time.

The eight bonus tracks are a mulligan stew. “When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer” (a superior un-issued take is found here) certainly warranted being a Number 8 R&B hit in 1954, but “Whole Lot Of Meat” and “I’m Crackin’ Up Over You” were clearly not B.B.’s best moments. Still this is a veritable greatest hits collection—certainly the original Crown album was upon release—proving that even in 1957, B.B. King was already in a league of his own. Typically excellent Ace packaging makes this an attractive addition to even a sizable B.B. King CD/record collection.