martin manning wrote:Live at Cook County Jail is a great show, and has the definitive "Thrill is Gone."
Yeah, both of those are fantastic performances. I've been listening to both all day. 
To me, one thing that sets him apart from some of the later day guitarists influenced by him is his dynamics. He could vary his dynamics to add even more feeling to his guitar work. He knew when to play softly.
Or maybe I'm not describing it right. Seems a lot of young blues guys are constantly pushing things. When BB decided to play softly, it was like, this part is just for me. It wasn't to impress anyone.
Words. Writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Just seems him and Albert knew as much about when not to play as what to play. 
But I have to agree with a very insightful individual I know who said something along the lines "He lived a full life. I'm not saddened by his passing, but by the passing of time."
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.