BB King plays again at IU

Though his swagger has been replaced with a rolling limp, this 80-year-old bluesman proved once again that he is undeniably the King.\nBB King, "The King of the Blues," played Sunday at the IU Auditorium in his first Bloomington performance since 1979. King spent the evening sitting center stage in a plain folding chair, mixing some storytelling with his world-famous blues riffs.\n"I know some people are saying, 'He's too old to stand and play,'" King said at the start of his set. "And to them I say, you're probably right."\nKing's eight-man band, composed of long-time musical compatriots, led off the show with an instrumental introduction before bringing King to stage to a roaring standing ovation, though the venue came visibly short of sellout capacity. Ranging in dress from elegant furs to baseball caps and "House of Blues" T-shirts, all members of the crowd listened attentively to King, standing and singing at his command.\nThe opening act, Anthony Gomes Band, stunned the crowd with singer Gomes' rich voice and guitar virtuosity. After 30 minutes of blues riffs and extended instrumental solos by every member of the band, Gomes paid homage to the man who gave him the opening slot, replacing original act Kenny Wayne Shepherd.\n"We thank (King) not only as an incredible musician, but as an incredible human being," Gomes told the crowd. "It's a privilege to play before him."\nKing and his band made a classy entrance, dressed in identical tuxedos, with King donning his famous silver blazer.\n"I'm glad you stuck around to see the old guy come out and play," King said.\nHe deflected crowd affection toward the band, joking with "band leader" James "Boogaloo" Bolden and lauding "young guitarist" Charlie Dennis throughout the set. Much of the show involved King jokingly prodding members of his band and telling stories to the audience, which centered around his two favorite subjects: music and women.\n"Women are God's most beautiful creation," King said before performing "Ain't That Just Like a Woman." "Men are a close number two, but all women are beautiful. But man, can they be mean."\nWhen four members of the band left the stage, King went through a less formal set of songs, often stopping to continue his storytelling for which he is widely known. King bobbed and weaved his head along with the music, serving as an extension of Lucille, the name of the guitars he has brought to 90 countries during six decades of touring.\nKing showed comfort with his age, paying homage to "Dr. Viagra, Nurse Levitra and Dr. Cialis" for his continued health at 80. He peppered his set with covers, including Willie Nelson's "Nightlife" and "You Are My Sunshine," a song he dedicated "to the ladies."\nThe octogenarian bluesman closed the set by bringing his band back on stage for "The Thrill is Gone" and "Guess Who," thanking his guitar Lucille and making the last of many modest bows in acknowledgement to the warm reception.\nSouth Bend resident Brad Colborn, who has seen King three other times, said he drove four hours to see the show, which was well worth the effort. \n"He's just so phenomenal, so effortless on stage," Colborn said. "He just blows me away"