Customer Reviews

Live at Nicks

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

 

 

B. B. King at his peak! This is THE one to own. It has long been my favorite B. B. King concert with his classic band just kickin' ass in a small club as he does 300 nights a year. With B. B. deservedly sitting down and losing some of his punch lately, this is the way you will want to remember him - confident, soulful and on the mark!
B. B. King is at best a gospel singer singing the blues, he's not confident keeping rhythm, not a chord player but a man who speaks to the audience through his soulful voice and guitar interchangably. Don't expect him to sing and play at the same time, to chug off on a riff or sing country blues. B. B. King is himself and unique. He learned it all from Robert Jr. Lockwood who lead his band before he became a success and B. B. will tell you that Robert Jr. told him manager to get someone else to play the rhythm, to have a strong (who would have forecast a young, white) bassist and two drummers and let B. B. dance on top of the rhythm. Twenty years later, B. B. learned it was Robert Jr.'s advice that did it for him and he has loved him since he heard him on King Biscuit Time with the amazing Sonny Boy Williamson II (Alex "Rice" Miller). Visit www.sonnyboy.com for the full story.
'fessor Mojo AKA Bill Donoghue

After watching this DVD I was happy I bought it, sound & picture quality are great. He was still pretty young, it is a treat to watch him play. Classic B. B. King this is a must have for any B.B. fan. Get it before it goes out of print like to many do so quickly. His playing is great, he is standing up for the whole show, but today with his health problems he can't stand to long. Also his vocals are fantastic, it is great to see him like this.

King was 57 when he played in Dallas in 1983, and he looks healthier and lighter than he would in later decades. This is B.B. in commanding form, and an enthusiastic audience adds to the energy. Content is 46 minutes, a bit skimpier than specified and certainly briefer than you want. However, B.B. is spot on, the camera work never interferes with the music, and the band is tight. Here's what you get:

1) 'Every Day I Have The Blues.' King starts the proceedings with an energetic romp.
2) 'Nightlife.' The trumpeter (James Bolden, I believe) delivers a superb solo with plunger mute. The mute work draws out 'vocal' inflections that wonderfully compliment King's bent notes on guitar.
3) 'Better Not Look Back.' A rapid slap bass line propels things forward.
4) 'Never Make Your Move Too Soon.' King is wonderful, and we get a skillfully controlled sax solo.
5) 'Sell My Monkey.' King's playing is hypnotizing, even with mediocre tunes.
6) 'Love Me Tender.' King's vocals are a bit strained on this ballad, but he makes up for it with his guitar. Another strong sax solo.
7) 'Inflation Blues.' King's bent notes and staccato picking always put a smile on my face.
8) 'The Thrill Is Gone.' The audience is standing for King's passionate delivery.
9) 'There Must Be A Better World Somewhere.' The standard King closer.

Visuals and sound: Camera work is excellent and never distracting. Fidelity and balance are very good, and soloists are always clearly heard in the mix. The deepest portion of the bass spectrum is weak, but otherwise the sound is impressive for a live concert. You will not be disappointed if you run the audio through your sound system. Occasionally an interview snippet is inserted between tunes, but each is relevant and brief.

Bottom Line: You get musical magic from one of the most important electric guitarist of the last half century. Solos by band members are exciting, sometimes almost stunning. Brevity is the biggest complaint since you want the music to continue. However, low prices from several Amazon sellers (Oct. 2011) help make this DVD a must-have item.

WHAT MORE CAN I SAY ABOUT THE KING. IF YOU LIKE B.B. YOU'LL LOVE THIS DVD

the recording is quite old and doesn't do justice to BBKing's great talent. a disappointment.