Customer Reviews

Live In Japan

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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!

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!!

This recording has a different feel from Live at the Regal or Live from Cook County Jail. There is much less playing with and talking to the audience. Instead, this one is just powerful, full-steam blues guitar playing all the way through. B. B.'s singing is very soulful here, but he keeps it short and lets the guitar do most of the singing. You won't find better versions of his classic songs anywhere. The jam sessions show a jazz-blues master at work and is something generally not heard these days. Great cd.

Being a blues guitarist from Memphis, I think I have a unique perspective of BB and his legacy. I will make this short. Buy this album, Live At the Regal, and Blues Is King. If you have more than that, you are a die hard fan, and need this CD anyway. It truly is wonderful. BB stretches out, and plays more than any other CD he has done. Truly inspired.

Even if you own "Live at the Regal", you can't go wrong picking this up. Just as "Miles In Tokyo" benefits from audience reception, so too does "Live In Japan". It really is that good.

There's an exhuberance on this recording that can rarely be found in live 'blues' albums. The band is spot-on, the solos are immaculate, and the recording is clear as a whistle. On top of that, it's a double-album worth of material, and none of it is filler.

This CD is very heavy on guitar from B.B. and it is very good guitar. Many of the songs are great especially the version of Hummingbird which includes some cool jazz horns. I personally like it just as much as Live at Cook County Jail.

This is vintage BB King complete with a band providing piano, trombone, trumpet and sax for that jazzy blues feel. Recorded live in 1971 at Sankei Hall, Tokyo, Japan the CD is fast moving and has an air of excitement surrounding it. In addition to the staples, "Every Day I Have The Blues", "How Blue Can You Get?", "The Thrill Is Gone" the disc contains some rarities such as "Niji Baby", "Japanese Boogie", "Jamming at Sankei Hall" and "Hikari #88". A fine performance from a living legend.

For all lovers of electric blues, all electric blues guitar players, this is a must have. Its better than live at the regal- no question. Reminds us why BB became an icon- because not only is he one of the greatest blue singers, but yes, I would submit humbly, the greatest blues guitar player.

We've all heard the albums, live at the cook county jail, live at the appollo, etc. etc. BB raps for awhile, sings for awhile, plays 12 bars, once in awhile 24, and then he's out. They're great albums. On this one its more like 24 bar solo into, sing some, another 24 bars of soloing, sing a bit, then another 24 bars. The sound is pristine. BB is completely on point- in the zone- whatever you want to call it. His playing exemplifies blues phrasing without slipping into repetition or cliche. The only word to describe the playing is flavor. Riffs with a ton of meat, crunchiness, and feeling.

As a guitar player, BB riffs on this disk that sound simple usually aren't. He switches easily between major and minor pentatonic (often combining the two in the same riff) and plays a lot in all the "boxes" not just the eponymous BB box.

This is what the blues is really about kids- the solos breath. Its all feeling, no flash. Its earthy. Its the polar opposite of shredding. He's the anti Eddie Van Halen. Grounded, elemental, yet still creative and free.

I've listened to most of BB's stuff and this is one of the best. If you're a budding blues guitar player, and really want to root yourself, this is a great place to start. Good fundamentals as they say.

I didn't expect much from this release. Boy was I surprised. I can't believe MCA has been holding on to this gem for so long. Like the previous reviewer said, it is a no bs set with a lot of great instrumental work. This definately is not like "Live At The Regal," it is closer to the Cook County Jail gig but it seems everyone was having a great time and B.B. really cuts loose. It is the same band recorded 6 months after the Cook County Jail recording. It is a very good live set from the king of the blues. Excellent sound quality.