B.B. King & Eric Clapton – Riding With The King

B.B. King & Eric Clapton – Riding with the King

Released in 2000, Riding with the King is a landmark collaboration between blues legend B.B. King and longtime admirer Eric Clapton. The album brings together two generations of blues masters, blending King's expressive vocals and celebrated guitar style with Clapton's distinctive playing and deep-rooted love of traditional blues.

The project features interpretations of classic blues songs alongside contemporary material, creating a relaxed yet powerful collection that pays tribute to the genre's rich heritage. Throughout the album, the musical chemistry between the two artists is evident, with King's elegant phrasing complementing Clapton's understated but soulful guitar work.

Highlights include the title track “Riding with the King,” the blues standard “Key to the Highway,” the emotionally charged “Three O'Clock Blues,” and a spirited version of “Hold On I'm Coming.” The album successfully balances reverence for traditional blues with polished modern production, making it accessible to both longtime blues enthusiasts and newer listeners.

Critically acclaimed and commercially successful, Riding with the King won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album and remains one of the most celebrated blues collaborations ever recorded.

Tracklist:

1. Riding with the King (4:23)
2. Ten Long Years (4:39)
3. Key to the Highway (3:40)
4. Marry You (5:00)
5. Three O'Clock Blues (8:36)
6. Help the Poor (5:06)
7. I Wanna Be (4:46)
8. Worried Life Blues (4:26)
9. Days of Old (3:00)
10. When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer (7:08)
11. Hold On I'm Coming (6:21)
12. Come Rain or Come Shine (4:11)