Blues Is King

B.B. King | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca Special Products
• ASIN: B000002PES
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,422 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD

At the time of this Chicago performance in late 1966, King's popularity among blacks had ebbed and white rock 'n' roll fans were beginning to notice him. Still, his long-faithful fans in the club spur him on, even during a few tunes not worth his examination (notably "Tired of Your Jive" and "Night Life"). The house sound system and mid-1960s engineering let him -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

Product Description

This CD is an out of print collectible! It is the original MCA release. There is a drill hole through the case and booklet.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best, just the best, September 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Blues Is King (Audio CD)

B.B. King has produced some wonderful live recordings; no surprise from an artist who performs as much as he does. His "Live at the Regal" is usually cited as the greatest, but in my opinion "Blues is King" is better and more exciting (although "Live at the Regal" is also a great recording). The performances here are blazing, and the guitar sound is achingly beautiful. I bought my first copy sometime in the late 1960s, one of the first blues albums I ever purchased. After thirty years, I still get a chill when B.B. says "we're going to do our best to try and move you tonight...if you like the blues, I think we can." Oh yeah, he can.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It'll make your speakers sweat, September 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blues Is King (Audio CD)

I discovered this one about the time it came out on vinyl and bought it without really knowing the strength and passion it represents. I've always preferred it to his other live recordings including 'Live at the Regal'. There's something special about BB with a live audience. It'll make your speakers sweat.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hello MCA: Remastered Deluxe Edition needed here!!!, November 20, 2007

By 

Wah Wah (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blues Is King (Audio CD)

I LOVE/HATE this CD!!!

I LOVE the songlist, Duke Jethro's B-3, Bobby Forte's sax, and B.B's overall performance, which makes this perhaps his best live CD. That's saying a lot considering the other live examples from his prime...Live At Cook County Jail, Live In Japan, Live At The Regal...all of which have been remastered.

I HATE the sound of this CD. As others have so rightly pointed out, the hollow, shrill sound of this makes it hard to put up with. It's just that the performance is quite simply B.B.'s best live CD.

Is anybody at MCA Records listening? What we need here at a minimum is a lovingly made remaster. An Expanded Deluxe Edition Remaster would be a dream come true, giving this release the revered treatment it deserves!!