In a world inundated with cookie-cutter pop albums and 15-minute shining stars, it is always refreshing to step back from the glitz and the lights and hear how a seasoned veteran works his craft. On the new collaboration album from B.B. King and Eric Clapton, the world receives an offering from two master songsters.”Riding with the King” is a 12-song trip into blues territory which includes five King classics such as “Ten Long Years” and “Three O’clock Blues” and some new tunes such as the title track, written by John Hiatt.The fact that Clapton, who made his reputation as a rock guitarist, is the prodigy of King’s canonical blues style is never more apparent than when the two are playing side-by-side. The transition from King to Clapton is virtually indistinguishable.The pairing of King and Clapton begins to bear fruit in songs like “Help the Poor” and “Ten Long Years,” when both are free to do what they do best: Weave extended, trembling guitar passages over a slow blues shuffle. Clapton takes the cue from King and not a single note is wasted, but milked for all it’s worth.The two acoustic numbers on the album, “Key to the Highway” and “Worried Life Blues” leave the listener wishing for more of the same. The down-home understated style of “Worried Life Blues” is more reminiscent of the Deep South than the Chicago-style blues typical of the album.Clapton’s pop music sensibilities do make their way into the mix however, especially in “I Wanna Be,” and are usually responsible for the less savory, awkward portions of the album. “Marry You” opens with a crunchy, Pilgrim-esque wah-wah guitar riff that sounds forced and unnatural.At 74 years old, King’s voice has begun to leave him, but his guitar playing is still extraordinary and continues to evolve in interesting ways. Clapton has the resume but fails to find a unique voice on the album, coming off as though he is only emulating the distinctive style of King. Since King is the crowned king of the blues, it’s not surprising that Clapton, a part-time bluesman, is somewhat out-shined. Clapton may be in the car, but King has definitely got ahold of the wheel.