Although Eric Clapton and B.B. King’s 30-plus years friendship originated during a chance meeting and subsequent jam session at New York City’s Caf’ Au Go Go in 1967, the idea for a collaborative album only crystallised during the sessions for King’s 1997 album DEUCES WILD. The resulting record, 2000’s RIDING WITH THE KING, is a stellar event thanks to a wealth of rich material and a solid supporting cast including Jimmie Vaughan, Joe Sample and Steve Gadd. B.B. King’s extensive catalogue provides a wellspring of inspiration, including signature songs such as the smoldering “Three O’ Clock Blues”, alongside lesser-known numbers like the ribald shuffle “Days Of Old”, and the LIVE AT THE REGAL chestnut “Help The Poor”. Elsewhere, King and Clapton look to guitarist Big Bill Broonzy (an acoustic “Key to the Highway”) and Chicago pianist Maceo Merriweather (the slow-rolling “Worried Life Blues”) for inspiration. Even the non-blues numbers are delivered with a rich subtlety befitting these guitar icons’ consummate musicianship. John Hiatt’s title track becomes a mid-tempo exchange between old friends, while their honeyed vocals on the standard “Come Rain or Come Shine” are worthy of Ray Charles’ 1959 version.