Long live the King. Four years since the passing of the great B.B. King, his towering influence over the blues world – and beyond – remains undimmed. Now, as the men who walked alongside him every step of the way for over 35 years, The B.B. King Blues Band writes the next chapter, on an album that salutes King’s classic songs and showcases their own. Boasting several world-class songwriters in their ranks, The Soul Of The King finds the lineup supplying material that stands alongside their late leader’s catalogue – along with guests that include Joe Louis Walker’s soulful tribute on Regal Blues and Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s masterful solo on opener Irene Irene. Meanwhile, as King’s faithful sidemen, this band of blues lifers have the great man’s music under their fingernails, and made a bracing return to his greatest cuts. There’s a heartfelt turn from Michael Lee on The Thrill Is Gone. Mary Griffin and Taj Mahal combine their vocal and guitar talents on Paying The Cost To Be The Boss – while Kenny Neal lends poignant vocals and licks to Sweet Little Angel. “When we started this album, we wanted to let the world know the B.B. King Band is live and well,” explains executive producer Terry Harvey. “And that we are continuing B.B.’s musical legacy…”