The Jungle [Import]

B.B. King | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 8, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Ace Records UK
• ASIN: B000WZ4Y82
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,089 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Jungle

2. Five Long Years

3. Eyesight To The Blind

4. Blue Shadows

5. The Worst Thing In My Life

6. Beautician Blues

7. Ain't Nobody's Business

8. Blues Stay Away From Me

9. I Stay In The Mood

10. I Can Hear My Name AKA My Black Name

11. Got 'Em Bad

12. It's A Mean World AKA Mean Old World

Editorial Reviews

Reissue of this compilation, which was originally assembled by Kent/Modern to ride the success of BB's 1967 R&B and Hot 100 hit 'The Jungle'. Although none of what it contained was new (BB having been an ABC artist since 1961), several of the mixes and overdubs were exclusive to this package, giving King fans who need everything the perfect excuse to buy it. This CD reissue was reassembled from the tapes that were used for that original Kent album. Even though some of those tapes have since been used in the compilation of Ace's other King reissues, others - including the stereo version of the title track - are nevertheless making their Ace debut in this CD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars B.B. King In Transition, June 16, 2011

By 

r.j. zurek (Cape Coral, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jungle (Audio CD)

If there was ever an album that fell through the cracks, it's B.B. King's "The Jungle".Perhaps the timing was poor-"Blues Is King" was released a few months earlier in 1967 and included popular tracks like "Night Life" and "Don't Answer The Door". For "Jungle", a series of mid '60s singles were assembled to capitalize on the success of the title track; however, most of the songs were available in various compilations.

When this album was re-issued, new mixes and overdubs were added to give the original tracks extra "punch". This plan worked very well, especially the addition of guitarist Arthur Adams. Not only does he beef up the band with some fine rhythm guitar, he posed for the cover shot in place of B.B.!

The opening title track is a surprise. The whole band is very loose- B.B. King is known for precision and sophistication. The trumpets of Bobby Forte and Kenny Sands elevate the song, and Duke Jethro's piano is strong. Sonny Freeman's rather casual drumming just feels RIGHT.

At that time, B.B. was strictly a Memphis man. In his autobiography, he states "I was never tempted by the Windy City. I'd already been to blues heaven, and it wasn't called Chicago. Long distance information, give me Memphis, Tennessee". That's why his treatment of Chicago blues standards is so interesting. His voice soars on Eddie Boyd's "Five Long Years" and he's earnest on Sonny Boy's "Eyesight To The Blind." "Mean Old World" (listed here as "It's A Mean World") features B.B. playing in a newer, assertive style. Duke Jethro is again prominent in the mix.

The five extra tracks for this compilation are all excellent, especially the "original raw version" of the title track. The song begins with B.B. counting off to the band, then he shouts "Think I'll move to the jungle" while the band, sans horns with Jethro on organ support The King's clean jazzy fretwork. Truly a raw, primal blues.

"The Jungle" should not be passed up. Although this is a collection of singles recorded from 1962-1967, the selection reflects a time when B.B.'s style was in transition. In two years he would enjoy the success of "The Thrill Is Gone", and soon after would come the successful collaborations with Bobby Bland.

BUYERS OR REVIEWERS NOTE: This review is for the SEVENTEEN TRACK P-vine Japanese import (ASIN B00008RVOU). Most reviews on the internet, and the review here dated Nov 11, 2009, are for the TWELVE TRACK Ace collection (ASIN B000WZ4Y8Z).

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1960s studio album with BB on top form..., November 11, 2009

By 

G. E. Harrison (Cheltenham, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jungle (Audio CD)

It's great to see this 1967 LP reissued on CD, I got "The jungle" as a single at the time and I've always thought that it was a really good song and a great sounding record. BB is on top form here, his vocals are really strong and emotional and his stinging guitar is right up front in the mix. The backing is really good, with excellent piano and horns used sparingly and sympathetically.

There is a great collection of songs here, lots a classic blues like Eddie Boyd's "Five long years" and Sonny Boy Williamson's "Eyesight to the blind" and also some blues classics like "Ain't nobody's business" and "Mean old world" that BB manages to breathe new life into and make his own. I particularly like the songs "Blue shadows and "I stay in the mood" where his guitar sounds fabulous but this is a very consistent collection of songs, albeit from different sessions and never meant to issued as one record. Highly recommended mid-period BB.