Live at the Apollo [Live]

B.B. King | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 16, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Grp Records
• Run Time: 44 minutes
• ASIN: B0000001RF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,714 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's not that there's anything wrong with this 1990 recording: King's expressive guitar work and vibrant vocals rarely disappoint in a live setting, and this release here he has a top-notch big band behind him. In addition to U2's "When Love Comes to Town," King rolls through nine staples, including "Sweet Sixteen," "Thrill is Gone," and "Paying the Cost to Be the Boss." On the other hand, King has produced a number of absolutely riveting live albums, including Live at the Regal, Blues Is King, and Live in Cook County Jail. They remain high points of blues history, relegating this solid release to the second tier. --Marc Greilsamer

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD

One night in the winter of 1990 the SRO audience in Harlem's Apollo Theatre rocked in ecstasy to the blessed tones offered them by the master musician and the swinging eighteen-piece Philip Morris Superband, conducted by pianist Gene Harris. Salutes to Percy Mayfield, Ivory Joe Hunter, and Jesse Belvin (along with repertoire staples and the wondrous slow blues "All Over Again") have no problem at all going over with the demanding African-American audience. -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars B.B. swings!, April 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Live at the Apollo (Audio CD)

Great swingin' blues from B. B. King and and eighteen-piece orchestra. Starts off with a swing version of the U2/B.B. King song "When Love Comes To Town." Other good cuts, The Thrill Is Gone, Payin' The Cost..., Ain't Nobody's Business. My only complaint is that it's over too soon! Itruns a standard 45 mintues, but every time I play it, it's like it's over before it should be!

Good stuff, check it out.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures BB Live in prime form, doing what he does best!, October 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Live at the Apollo (Audio CD)

I saw B.B. King in concert last night, in Coto de Caza, CA, as a part of thier "Summer concert in the park" series. At 78 he plays guitar and sings in his prime! As a matter a fact his guitar playing is more on the jazz improvisational side, of the blues. His band was allowed plenty of space to stretch out. Anyhow this cd, is a great example of one of his live shows, and on this cd recorded in 91, he is also in prime form, though the band is strictly used a background prop, BB's highly appealing vocals and guitar solos are highlighted throughout this exellent live session. As jazz critic Scott Yanow has pointed out, King alsways has a way of making his old hits sound fresh everytime he revivrs them, and on this cd is no acception, he does a killer job on Sweet Sixteen and The thrill Is Gone. You can't go wrong with a live BB album, the only thing missing is his jump blues standby song "Caldonia", ah well this is still one of BB finest "recent" cd's. If you can't go see him live, this is the next best thing. I only wish somone had recorded last nights show at Coto. Oh well, pick this cd up!

4.0 out of 5 stars The Thrill Is Back, May 22, 2003

By 

Andrew McCaffrey "The Grumpy Young Man" (Satellite of Love, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live at the Apollo (Audio CD)

B. B. KING: LIVE AT THE APOLLO combines classic and modern blues tracks with a live performance that is more than up to the legendary B. B. King's standard. It's a pity that there's only ten cuts on this album; the band is playing rather well, and it would have been nice to hear their interpretation of a few more songs. Still, for what it is, this album delivers.

If you decide to buy this album, then it will probably be the least surprising purchase you will ever make. B. B. King is as professional as they come, and you're guaranteed a great performance no matter what the occasion. The songs that he plays here are, of course, great blues standards mixed with one or two written either by or for him. The only variable in this album would be the backing musicians. But for this performance, King was backed by Gene Harris, on piano, and the rest of the Philip Morris Superband (insert your own social commentary on that name and sponsor here). They do not disappoint.

One of the highlights on this album is B. B. King's version of the classic, "The Thrill Is Gone". It's a slow and jazzy cover of this great number. The mind boggles at how many times he must have played this particular tune before, yet he manages to make it sound as though this is the first time, and that the words mean as much to him now as they did then. Other standouts include a swinging version of the song U2 wrote for King, "When Love Comes To Town", an upbeat "Paying The Costs To Be The Boss", and a soulful "Ain't Nobody's Bizness".

In fact, there simply isn't a poor track on this album. The sound recording is excellent, and the musicians are all having a terrific night. Any fan of the blues should have this CD in their collection.