Customer Reviews

BB King Blues Session

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

First, the DTS sound is misleading. It's very distorted and hard to hear any channel separation. The video looks like it was originally taped on VHS from TV. The reception is actually "snowy". A big disappointment! I have a VHS copy of the original Showtime broadcast from 1987 taped from C-Band satellite with dolby digital audio, and it blows this DVD version away!

This is a fantastic show with an once in a lifetime grouping of legendary blues musicians BUT this new version on DVD is horrible quality with bad picture & audio. The VHS & especially the laserdisc versions are far superior. Hopefully someday a true re-mastered version will appear.

This is a poor transfer of that 1987 show with Albert King, Etta James, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Paul Butterfield, and so on. Everything is bad in this release, poor audio, poor video, that horrible cover. Even the menus are painfull, you just can't even read some song titles. I have also the original videotape and it's much better than this.

I cannot believe the people complaining here about technicalities.

This performance is not available in any better quality, that I know of - so get it - yesterday!

My music and video collection is larger than I care to admit; and my age is older than I care to state, but I have never seen a better blues performance than this, not in the particulars (thought these are outstanding) as much as in the sense of the wholesomeness of it - the coming together of generations, black and white, uniting in celebration of the blues - very sweet!

The only downside for me is Billy Ocean, who isn't bad, but really not in the same league as BB, Clapton, Etta James, etc.

NEVER RECOMMEND. Actially ZERO Star at all. This one is worst ever product since I started AMAZON shoping. This DVD-R copy is look like transfer from home video tape,as if Bootleg. I'm wondering is this one really legal products?????

I atttended the taping of this show. While the blurb says "a night of red hot blues", it was actually filmed in the afternoon. In spite of the great stars assembled, these pre-fabricated and "planned" shows usually leave much to be desired - and this is the case with this show. However, if it pleases you to see Albert King, BB King, Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan all playing together, then you should get this DVD. Also of note is that this is Paul Butterfield's last filmed performance before he passed away. Out of place in this DVD is the presence of Billy Ocean and Chaka Kahn - sure they probably have blues roots, but I heard their managers insisted they be in this video. I also heard that Paul Butterfield was extremely intoxicated and had to be limoed around the block until he was set to be filmed because he was bagging on SRV saying that he wasn't a real bluesman and had no business being there - obviously Butterfield hadn't heard SRV play. All in all, a disappointment musically, but 2 stars for the presence of some of the greatest bluesmen of all time.

What a fine group of musisians.! EC and BB talked with their guitars without any ego. Stevie Ray was cooking. Dr John and Etta sang I'd rather go blind with pure passion and their voices were superb together. Paul Butterfield was spectacular. When all of the guitars started jamming you could tell there were no ego problems, just admiration for each other.

Nevermind all the people here complaining about the dvd transfer. It's really not that bad. There is nothing wrong with the audio, just don't expect some blasting surround. And the concert itself is really good. I've watched this dvd I don't know how many times and I never get tired of it. Ok, the quality is not great, but if you like the blues that shouldn't be a problem to enjoy this. The opening "Why I sing the blues" sets the tone, with BB King starting it off and all the others coming in during the song, and what great musicians they are. "The thrill is gone" has some great guitarplaying by Clapton and BB going at eachother. "I'd rather go blind" is the best duet i've ever seen(heard) between a man and a woman (Etta James and Dr. John), it's amazing. And "The sky is crying" by Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, well, that's about as Blues as you can get really. You can see every artist is really glad to be a part of the session. So don't let these other comments throw you, Blues Session it is.

The concert is probably my all time favorite w/some true giants.
To see Albert and Stevie Ray on the same stage - pure magic
Dr John & Etta James are awsome.
This IS an older concert so it is not DVD HD quality.
All the complaints about quality are BS.
This is a blues concert - not a slick MTV production.
Just great artists singing great songs.
This DVD always puts a smile on my face.
A must for any true blues fan.
Miss you Stevie and Albert.

That's what it is. But I already knew it before I bought. So you should know it too. However, for those who love the Blues it is a must have! Even aware of the quality I bought it and I am very happy with it!