The 50 Best Albums of 2008

17

B.B. King ONE KIND FAVOR Geffen

America's most famous bluesman lived his version of the stories in these standards. But King hasn't been this close to home on record in ages: The gnarly backing band (with Dr. John on piano) and T Bone Burnett's tough-as-gravel production bring out the late-Fifties fire in the 83-year-old singer-guitarist.

18

Lucinda Williams LITTLE HONEY Lost Highway

Lucinda Williams has been channeling hard-won wisdom into laments for so long, it is a shock to behold the singer love-struck. Williams being Williams, the happy songs hedge their bets, but high spirits predominate, as do snarling Stones-ish guitars, brisk tempos and a slew of funny punch lines.

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