Customer Reviews

Reflections

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Reflection" is another good release for this legendary artist; more R&B, less bluesy; in general this is a relaxing album, not overly memorable but quite pleasing for the hardcore fans like me.
If you are a new fan for this great artist, try instead:
B.B. King. Live and well
B.B. King. Completely Well
B.B. King. Take it home
B.B. King. Six silver strings

First of all, all of BB's live albums are his best, because there are no producers to drag things down with "overproduction." To hear a good typical Blues BB cd checkout the 1990's "Live At tHe Apollo" or the 60's "Live at the Regal." However for those of us who know the blues BB, it is nice to hear him as a "crooner" much like Louis Armstrong's 1950's session with Gordon Jenkins' sticky strings, you miss his trumpet playing, but there's a lot to be said sbout his singing. BB King's timesless voice(age 77), covers a few standards(I wish they had done all standards), and some dated R&B stuff, however it all works. BB's highly appealing baritone voice is warm, rich and strong throughout. It's a lovely slow dance romance album, it's particularly nice to hear BB's takes on "Exactly Like You," "I Want a Little Girl" and a touching "What A Wonderful world." This cd also reminds me of one of Joe Turner's classic later efforts, he also did a album of standards and turned everyone of those standards(including O Lift My Heart In San Francisco) into blues, as BB does here(as Kay Starr did thoughout her career). That being said, this album is overproduced, but it's still a classic,it would have been nice if they had used a good pianist or at least a more imaginitive jazz based one, and why is practicly nothing heard fom Lucille(BB's guiutar)?, why couldn't they get Oscar Peterson or Ray Bryant to play piano, and the strings and Orchestra are finem but the muzaky piano should have been replaced with some jazzy BB King guitar, oh well it still all works and is an enjoyable listen ang great for parties. This is great for those who love timeless singing, there are almosty no good singer left(Ernie Andrews might be the only other one) and BB is one of them and this cd is worth listening over again.

This CD showcases BB's incredible voice. Lucille stays quiet throughout most of the album, and the BB King band sits out on most of this one too (save I Wanna Little Girl and Exactly like You). Instead, B is backed by an orchestra, keyboards, and drums. A very simple setup, for some fairly simple little tunes. The set has a flow to it (each song smoothly transitioning to the next), and you are caught by surprise when the CD ends (after 46 minutes). Overall, this is an enjoyable CD if you are in the mood to slow dance, or kick back and relax for a while. A collection of love songs as only BB King can do them. This is a side of BB that is rarely seen on past albums and during live concerts. Normally these songs would be squeezed between Caldonia and Ain't Nobody's Business, but here these slow songs take center stage. A change of pace for the King of the Blues, but his unmistakable voice and genuine soul make this album work beautifully. A good addition to any BB collection...

BB King is 1st and formost a blues singer and jazz based blues guitarist. On this cd his is heard more as a singer, then a guitarist, although he does play a few licks here and there. This cd is proof that King as as much a crooner as Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby or Tony Bennett.

The opening number Exactly Like You(which has been recorded by Little Jimmy Rushing and frank Sinatra), is a perfect example of King acting as an urban blues singer, turning a swing standard into a blues romper much the way Big Joe Turner might have done it on one of his OJC sessions. BB also handles blues ballads with sensitivity and firmness at the same time creating a bluesy intamacy, for instance on On My Word Of Honor, he'll bring you to tears with his ematioanl performance. There are aslo great standards which BB makes hsi own like I Love You For Sentimanetal Reasons, making you forget even Nat KING Cole's version, which was sappier, as where BB made it a Reflection! Also BB stands out on Satchmo's great Waht A Wonderful World. a trutly great and touching cd, and the best release from the king in a decade.

I love The King, but I couldn't stand this cd! It doesn't even sound like him, and the music stank! I'm verry disappointed

B.B. King proves with this record that he can do anything. He's such a great, natural singer that even on an album of standards (why??) he makes it all feel real. I was prepared not to like this, but it's pretty good!

Here is a relaxed set, occasionally draggy and weighty, yet containing all classy and affecting heart ballads, some in the more esoteric category of "beat ballad" - "Exactly Like You" is one. Another is track #5: B. B. King *and* Ivory Joe Hunter fans will love to find "I Need You" [as indicated on the jacket], which is more commonly known as "I Need You So". Elvis Presley fans just might crack a smile, too.
B. B.'s g-box is a bit subdued, as is his singing, which of course is expected of the still powerful blues stylist at age 75 or so - though in the v-box area he registers throughout.
"On My Word Of Honor" is a King recut of the Platters' song and follows the Hunter number as an enjoyable take of a lesser-known '50s tune.
By far, the best offer is "A Mothers' Love", something new to this Reviewer, and a prime reason to revisit this set.
In summation, a success for the deeper fan of B. B. King and for those who just enjoy hearing classic R & B and Pop standards.

I should have know better than to buy any album where the artist is recording "standards". The only thing worse would be an album of Christmas music by b.b. I listened to the first song and thought I was listening to show tunes and then fast forwarded through the rest. B.B.'s voice sounds as good as ever but the concept is a waste.

I thought B.B. was a bit out of his element here, attempting music that he loves but for which he's not naturally inclined. Nevertheless, despite a charmingly croaky voice - unusual for him - and some difficulty negotiating the nuances of non-blues melodies - I enjoy this album very much. It is not, by the way, a jazz standard or American Song Book album. It's a collection of old, slow dancing for the most part, rhythm and blues hits blended with lush string arrangements that reminded me of the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. B.B.'s guitar takes a back seat to some other fine pickers, but he does come in now and again with his trademark "whew!" I predict this album will grow on you, and that you'll love him just for trying these tunes.

Sheer brillaince is teh only way to describe this highly enjoyable set of standards and blues treasuries. This cd is on a par with his classic lp's from the 50's. As a matter of fact, BB sounds so inspired and youthful taht one might think this was recorded in 1954!!! WOW!!! I love BB's smooth crooning voice, on tunes from the great American songbook, such as I Love You For Senimental Reasons. And for sentimental reasons I love this cd, and I'm sure you will too. For thsi cd casts a light on the shadowy truth that BB is more than a blues singer, but a singer who can sing standards with a blues feeling as alberta Hunter, Helen Humes, Jimmy Witherspoon and Jimmy Rushing all had once done. BB continues to be the finest male singer today, and he's still goin' strong. this is timeless music, with subtle guitar spots for BB, but again this is a showcase for hsi warm baritone rather then his guitar genious. This cd and concept for BB is sheer genious!!!