Product Details

• Format: Black & White, Original recording remastered, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Rhino / Wea
• VHS Release Date: August 22, 2000
• Run Time: 23 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 6305979553
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #427,987 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The B.B. King seen in this 30-minute, 1968 program is a far cry from the amiable patriarch who hawks burgers on TV and sits in with U2 and Eric Clapton. The current B.B. has certainly earned his legendary status, of course, but this is the real thing--a leaner, meaner bluesman, closer to his Mississippi and chitlin' circuit roots but with his trademark stinging guitar leads and bellowing vocals already well established. Joined by a drummer (the redoubtable Sonny Freeman), an organist, and two horn players, King motors through five tight, compact numbers (he's particularly soulful on "Darling You Know I love You," a slow burner) before sitting down with host Ralph J. Gleason. Asked by Gleason what he hopes to achieve, King says, "I'd like the whole world to be able to hear B.B. King sing and play the blues." This fine Jazz Casual installment certainly won't hurt. --Sam Graham

From the Back Cover

B.B. King. His very name evokes aural images of warbling, lilting blues guitar lines, and a shouting, wailing voice singing about love gone bad. When most of us think of B.B. King, we probably think of him as he appeared in his middle and later years: a large, stout man in sequined jackets with large rings on his hands. We don't think of him as the boy and young man who played his guitar and sang on street corners in his native Mississippi. This 1968 episode of Jazz Casual, B.B. King's first national television appearance, can't help but remind us of that other, pre-fame B.B. King. His slimmer, youthful appearance and his soft, boyish speaking voice combine to almost belie the powerful blues performer, and presence, that he was even then. Performing with B.B. here is his longtime organist James Toney, who still tours with him today. Billed in the original program credits as "B.B. King: King of the Blues," this episode of Ralph J. Gleason's Jazz Casual can only serve to delight existing fans of B.B. King, and, I hope, introduce him to new fans. I've been a fan of B.B. King for 25 yeas. To me, he was, is, and always will be the King of the Blues.
-Toby Gleason

Musicians include:
B.B. King - guitar and vocals
Sonny Freeman - drums
James Toney - organ
Mose Thomas - trumpet
Lee Gatling - saxophone

Song list includes:
Darling You Know I Love You
Got a Whole Lot of Lovin'
All Over Again AKA I've Got a Right to Give Up Living
The Jungle
That's Wrong, Little Mama

Air date: May 9, 1968
Total time: 30 minutes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Good now, but good at the beginning as well, March 22, 2007

By 

J. M. Jacobs "Just one man's opinion..." (East Helena, MT, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jazz Casual - B.B. King (DVD)

I've been lucky enough to have B.B. King bring me his music "LIVE" twice in my life. He was in his 70's at the time and still doing 265+ concert dates a year including a world tour every other year. If you ever wonder what would make him keep going after all these years, this DVD will show you that it isn't the money.

When I watched him in person, you could tell that B.B. still loved playing music for people. His road band was as tight, smooth and skilled as I've ever seen and they played with a passion almost equal to that of their leader. The age range of the members was from the 20's to the 70's - remarkable in this day and age.

On the DVD, the band is considerably smaller - maybe because B.B. was just getting going at the time and couldn't afford more players - but some members then are still members today. That's very unusual.

What I like about this particular DVD is that it provides excellent insight into one of the greatest Blues artists ever when he was just finding his wings. He's confident and passionate and he's skilled, and we are the beneficiaries.

I believe you'll find the interview portion provides some insight into the man and his music as well.

As is the case with artists early in their careers, B.B. plays songs here that he loves. When you catch an artist still in their almost pure state at the early curve of their career, you sense the feeling underneath the performance. Think of Rod Stewart with the Small Faces on Every Picture Tells A Story and singing Maggie Mae vs. Rod doing Hot Legs. No comparison really.

If you'd like to see B.B. King in a relaxed setting and doing some material he considers important enough to play in an early TV appearance, this is a dandy addition to your collection. Excellent sound quality here, too, and that doesn't hurt either.