Live In Japan [Live]

B.B. King | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Geffen
• ASIN: B00000J2TK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,864 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Imports > Blues
  • #59 in Music > Blues > Chicago Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Recorded in 1971, but unreleased in the U.S. until 1999, B.B. King's Live in Japan deserves high marks for exuberance alone. Had Live in Cook County Jail not just jumped into the charts, this live album might have been released long ago. The recording opens with a swelling of enthusiastic cheers, as King launches into an uptempo "Every Day I Have the Blues." There are plenty of other classics here as well, including "How Blue Can You Get?", "Sweet Sixteen," and "The Thrill Is Gone" (which elicits another round of cheering from the opening notes). Live in Japan may not have the long-standing reputation of Cook County Jail or Live at the Regal, but it's an excellent album, with a decidedly different feel from these two classics. King's obvious enthusiasm for his music and for his audience is infectious, and you can hear the sheer joy of it in every note. And, for those who don't really feel that they need additional versions of well-known songs, let it be mentioned that Live in Japan contains King's only live rendition of "Hummingbird," not to mention a couple of unique jams ("Japanese Boogie," "Jamming at Sankei Hall," and "Hikari #88"). --Genevieve Williams

Product Description

Live In Japan by B.B. King

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BB King Live In Japan, December 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Live In Japan (Audio CD)

Being a hard core fan of BB's for over thirty years, I was thrilled to hear this treasure from the time when BB was untouchable! The Live At The Regal has always been the benchmark by which all of BB's live performances, records or Cds have had to measure up to. With Live In Japan, I firmly believe, we have a new benchmark! On this release, BB Kings command of his guitar, voice, band, setlist and audience are remarkable. From the opening tune, he captures you and takes you way down an alley, to that place of rare, indigo blue perfection. BB King is a rare American treasure. A true story teller that is so recognizable, that with a single note on his guitar, he can make you laugh, make you cry and just get you up offa your backside and scream with joy! He talks a bit to the audience on this cd, though being in Japan, not as much as he usually does. He also does some brilliant, inspired guitar playing that at times is soft and soulful and at other times downright mean and dirty! He also does something that, for the time, was rare for BB. He does some extended jammiming and a bit of solo improv that is wonderful! If I could rate this higher than five stars, I would!He truly is and always will be the Worlds Greatist Blues Singer! Buy this one, no dissapointments!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my oh my, this is seriously HOT stuff, March 24, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Live In Japan (Audio CD)

Cook County Jail is considered a classic, with good reason. Live at the Regal is considered even more classic, with less reason (although it would be difficult to top the first few songs on that set). This set was bumped aside from American release by a busy schedule of B.B King records. But it blows away every B.B. King live record I've heard, including the classics. Don't know what it is about blues singers in Japan (Otis Rush also recorded a tremendous live set in Japan) but the audiences seem to elicit best performances. This disk sounds fabulous and B.B.'s singing is great, although not quite as great as his guitar playing. He plays all kinds of blues in all tempos and just nails 'Sweet Sixteen' and 'Thrill is Gone' (better than the very fine Cook County versions in both cases). Please try this disk out!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dare I Say.... Better Than Regal?, October 10, 2001

By 

N. Wakabayashi "Nobs" (Jawsey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live In Japan (Audio CD)

Don't want to sound like an echo, but this album is a real treasure. Not enough banter? I'd rather hear the man play Lucille, & play he does... all over this disc, & than some. He's in absolutely fine form on this night, & there are some obscure gems on this set that will delight the BB King fan.

After having this disc for a few months... I ask myself if it isn't more enjoyable than the acclaimed Regal album. This album is THAT good. Highly, highly recommended!!