Best Of Bobby Bland, B.B. King & Little Junior Parker

While the title is a little misleading, this is a vigorous and engaging collection of these three stellar blues artists. The tracks, a mix of live and studio recordings, present the three men singly and in duet (Bobby Bland is featured with each of the other two, but Junior Parker doesn't accompany B.B. King). The package is sadly lacking in notes, personnel, and track listings, but the vitality of this music is not to be underestimated.

Bland's "Farther Up the Road," Parker's "Stand By Me," and King's "Ain't Nobody Home" are classic and timeless recordings. The live numbers present Bland and King together; the two released a number of live albums, starting with the excellent TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME...LIVE in 1974 and a couple of subsequent releases. BEST OF is a brief though solid introduction into three sterling voices of the blues.