King of the Blues [Box set]

B.B. King | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 1992)
• Original Release Date: October 20, 1992
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002OMC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,541 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #24 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > Memphis Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

This four-CD box set remains the absolutely definitive B.B. King collection, with 77 recordings and a biographical book that contains the great singer-guitarist's own remembrances of his decades-long career. It samples every stage of his development, from his days struggling to craft his music in the shadow of influences like T-Bone Walker and Lonnie Johnson to his latter-day pairings with rockers like Bonnie Raitt and Gary Moore. The one constant is his open-hearted singing and the soulful, contemplative solos he squeezes from his beloved guitar Lucille. These discs, of course, embrace all his essential hits, from his first--1951's "Three O'Clock Blues"--to his 1970 smash "The Thrill Is Gone," which took King to the pop charts and made him a household name. If this package is too lavish for the budget, try the excellent Best of B.B. King, Volume 1, which collects many of King's great early works. --Ted Drozdowski

Product Description

SIDE A
1. The Thrill Is Gone
2. Payin' The Cost To Be The Boss
3. Everyday I Have The Blues
4. How Blue Can You Get
5. Please Love Me
6. Guess Who

SIDE B
1. You've Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
2. Save A Seat For Me
3. I Am Willing To Run All The Way
4. Long Nights
5. From The Bottom [with Sonny Boy Williamson]
6. That Evil Child --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars B. B. King is the King of the Blues, November 18, 2001

By 

Curtis J. George (Centreville, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King of the Blues (Audio CD)

B. B. King has over 200 albums on the market today, ten of which are labeled "Best of" or "Greatest Hits". With that much music to pick from it sure his hard to find the right ones to purchase. This box set of CDs is one of the best places to start your King collection. It includes four disks with over 75 tracks. The really nice thing about this box set is that each CD has King's hits from different points in time. CD 1 from 1949 to 1966, CD 2 from 1966 to 1969, CD 3 from 1969 to 1975, and CD 4 from 1975 to 1991. The set also includes a very nice 73-page book all about the life and times of this great Blues artist.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars splendid box set, January 29, 2000

By 

G. Wallace (Hilliard, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King of the Blues (Audio CD)

B.B. King is the greatest blues guitarist ever. He's not as clever as T-Bone Walker; he can't play rhythm at all. He's not a wizard like Jimi Hendrix was. He's utterly original, though, and has been to the summit more often than anyone else.

What's surprising about B.B. King is how he brightens up any genre he steps into, whether it's lowdown or uptown or big band or radio-friendly soul. He plays with anybody and everybody with consistently wonderful results. Can't recommend this set enough!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "He paid the Cost , To be the Boss"!, May 3, 2004

By 

J. F Kopeck "jkopeck9" (Parkville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King of the Blues (Audio CD)

I just bought this box set last week and have been enjoying it like no tomorrow. I have many records of the top Blues singers going back to Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith, but I do believe that this is the best "complete" set on one artist! Man can them songs take you back. If I knew that this collection was this good I would of bought it years ago when it first came out (1992). No matter what your Budget is ,if you are really into the Blues you should buy this set - even if it means eating half lunches for a week or two, you won't be sorry. After hearing these tunes "The Thrill is Back"!