The song “Hummingbird” was originally written by singer-songwriter Leon Russell and appeared on his eponymous album from 1970. The song then appeared on the Joe Cocker live album Mad Dogs & Englishmen, also released in 1970 and featuring guest Leon Russell on lead vocals. It later became a B.B. King staple, with the King of the Blues recording the song multiple times. The first recording was B.B. King solo, but later recordings featured guests such as John Mayer, Josh Walsh, and once again Leon Russell. Jimmy Page has also covered the song on his 1988 set Outrider. Hummingbird is filled with tender lyrics about a man whose woman completely understands him, and treats him like a king. The singer even feels that he doesn’t deserve the amount of affection and care he receives from his lover, and knows he’s lucky that she hasn’t “flown away.”

Joe Bonamassa has been covering “Hummingbird” as part of his Three Kings setlist, and it’s been more than just a huge hit. The crowd is transfixed by Joe’s poignant delivery of the meaningful lyrics and a couple of sizzling guitar solos during which we think we actually saw steam coming out of Joe’s fingers. The end features an incredible crescendo build up with Joe’s emotional, raw playing interlocking with the repeated chorus of wails from his excellent trio of backup singers (think Joe Cocker – “With a Little Help From My Friends”). Joe Bonamassa and the kickin’ band have transformed “Hummingbird” into show stopping Bona-moment that has taken the music to another level. It’s a special, ecstatic moment. You can feel the electricity in the air. And it might just be Joe’s finest moment yet. You have to be there and see for yourself why Joe’s been getting a standing ovation in the middle of his set!

But let’s take it back to the beginning of the show. Joe Bonamassa gets the crowd heated up with some of Freddie King’s best hits of his career, beginning with Freddie King and Sonny Thompson Billboard chart topper “See See Baby.” Freddie King is known for his expressive blues vocals, guitar playing, and his Texas and Chicago blues styles. Tonight King’s most memorable songs are revived by Joe Bonamassa, with songs including “Lonesome Whistle Blues” and the Don Nix penned hit, popularized by Freddie King and “Going Down.”

Opening the second part of the night is Joe Bonamassa’s rendition of “I’ll Play The Blues For You,” the title track from Albert King’s 1972 studio album. Channeling these blues guitar legends in full-swing, Bonamassa nails it on Albert King’s version of “I Get Evil.” The song was originally recorded by Tampa Red in 1940, but has since been covered by some of the biggest forces in blues including Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, and even BB King. Joe continues the evening with “Let the Good Times Roll,” B.B King’s tribute song originally sung by jazz saxophonist and vocalist Louis Jordan. Another favorite B.B. King favorite fans can expect to hear is B.B’s “Never Make a Move Too Soon,” Rolling Stone calls this song one of B.B’s greatest songs of his entire career. This top 20 R&B hit was first recorded by The Crusaders and was re-recorded by B.B and soon became a blues standard.

Joe Bonamassa wraps up the night with one of the most beloved hits from each of these three Kings of blues guitar, putting his own touch on every song giving these memorable classics a modernized flavor. Bonamassa gives a powerful cover of the soulful instrumental “Hideaway,” Freddie King’s blues hit that has been recognized by both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame, and has since been covered most notably by Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Bonamassa excites the audience with “Born Under a Bad Sign” Albert King’s song from his 1967 studio album, which is known as one of the most influential albums in the history of blues music. Bonamassa ends the night with blues icon B.B King’s “The Thrill is Gone”. Although not an original B.B. song, “The Thrill is Gone” became one of his signature songs and one of the biggest hits of his career. Bonamassa’s heartfelt performance easily crowns the night a royal occasion.

Songs by Freddie King

“See See Baby” – composed by Freddie King & Sonny Thompson
“Some Other Day, Some Other Time” – composed by Freddie King & Sonny Thompson
“Lonesome Whistle Blues” – composed by Alan Moore, Elson Teat, and Rudy Toombs
“You’ve Got To Love Her With a Feeling” – composed by Tampa Red
“Sittin’ on the Boat Dock” – composed by Sonny Thompson
“Going Down” - composed by Don Nix

Songs by Albert King

“I’ll Play the Blues For You” - composed by Jerry Beach
“I Get Evil” – composed by Albert King / Hudson Whittaker
“Breaking Up Somebody’s Home” – composed by Al Jackson and Timothy Matthews
“Cadillac Assembly Line” – composed by Sir Mack Rice
“Angel of Mercy” – composed by Homer Banks / Raymond Jackson
“Oh, Pretty Woman” (Can’t Make You Love Me) – composed by A.C. Williams

Songs by BB King

“Let the Good Times Roll” – composed by Sam Theard, Fleecie Moore and originally performed by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five
“Blind Love” – composed by B.B. King and Jules Taub
“Never Make a Move Too Soon – composed by Stix Hooper / Will Jennings
“Nobody Loves Me but My Mother” – composed by B.B. King
“Boogie Woogie Woman” – composed by Jules Taub / B.B. King
“Hummingbird” – composed by Leon Russell
“Ole Time Religion” – traditional

Encore

“Hideaway” – performed by Freddie King; composed by Freddie King, Sonny Thompson
“Born Under a Bad Sign” – performed by Albert King; composed by Booker T. Jones, William Bell
“The Thrill is Gone” – performed by B.B. King; composed by Rick Darnell, Roy Hawkins