B.B. King: Lucille

The Sound of B.B. King's Soul: MFSL's Pressing of "Lucille"

In the pantheon of blues recordings, B.B. King's fifteenth album "Lucille" holds a special place not just for its musical contributions but for immortalizing the relationship between a master bluesman and his beloved instrument. Released in 1968 on BluesWay Records, this album serves as a dedication to King's famous Gibson Signature ES-355 guitar—the instrument that helped define his unmistakable sound.

The Original Recording
"Lucille" showcases King's revolutionary playing style that became his signature—string bending and plucking techniques that produced tones instantly recognizable as his own. While the album didn't generate chart-topping hits, it received positive critical reception primarily for highlighting the guitar work that made King a legend. This record stands as a testament to the intimate connection between musician and instrument, with King's guitar taking center stage in the sonic narrative.

The Audiophile Treatment
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's inclusion of "Lucille" in their prestigious Original Master Recording series represents an attempt to elevate this blues classic to audiophile standards. Mastered at half-speed by Original Masteringworks™, this release was specially plated and pressed on high-definition vinyl using the original master tapes as source material.

This particular pressing was part of MFSL's ambitious ANADISQ 200™ series, which featured heavyweight 200-gram vinyl instead of the 140-gram and 150-gram standards previously used in their releases. Unfortunately, like similar efforts from Classic Records, the ANADISQ 200™ line suffered from quality control issues—primarily non-fill problems that ultimately led to the series' premature cancellation.

Performance Quality
Despite the series' troubled reputation, the reviewed copy delivers excellent sound quality with no non-fill issues to report. The vinyl surfaces are remarkably quiet, allowing King's voice to shine through with presence and clarity. His intricate guitar work sounds so immediate that it creates the illusion of King performing right in your listening room.

The mastering work deserves particular praise, extracting impressive detail within the limitations inherent to the original master tapes. While not the most dynamically expansive record in your collection (typical of many King recordings), the overall presentation remains highly satisfying. Musical separation sits at average levels, and both high frequencies and bass response show slight evidence of MFSL's characteristic "smiley face" EQ curve.

The Vinyl Verdict
For vinyl enthusiasts and B.B. King fans alike, a clean copy of MFSL's "Lucille" merits serious consideration. Despite its minor shortcomings, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better-sounding version of this album. The combination of King's soulful playing and MFSL's careful mastering creates an engaging listening experience that honors both the artist and his namesake instrument.

This pressing successfully captures the essence of what makes "Lucille" special—the sound of B.B. King's heart and soul flowing through six strings, now preserved with audiophile clarity for new generations to discover. 💵

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