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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0731454734028 Format: Box set, Double CD Label: Universal / Island Manufacturer: Universal / Island Number Of Discs: 2 Publisher: Universal / Island Release Date: April 19, 1999 Running Time: 141 minutes Studio: Universal / Island Sales Rank: 27609
Amazon.co.uk Review: This two-disc set's jewel-case comes embossed with King's gold-inked signature, presumably a seal of approval for this bountiful summation of his MCA years. Beginning with B.B.'s work for ABC in the mid-1960s (the label was later swallowed up by MCA), the compilation moves through B.B.'s cream-flared 70s output, then proceeds to sew up the 1980s. The title's promise is fulfilled within this given time-period, but King's first 15 recording years are missing, as are examples of his very successful 90s work. Massed strings add drama to "The Thrill Is Gone", "Paying The Cost To Be The Boss" swaggers with crisp horn feints, "Why I Sing The Blues" is a prime example of the extended funky vamp, these 60s cuts invariably swamped with eerie guitar reverb. The 70s provided an evocative canvas for exaggerated gesture, strings and electric piano infusing the moody "Chains & Things", B.B. picking funky figures throughout "Ghetto Woman". The synthesised piano and rock-ballad melody of "Into The Night" typify his 80s flirtations with the mainstream, while 1974's collaboration with Bobby Bland set a precedent for later collaboration with U2 and Gary Moore. Tracks are chronologically jumbled, but the closing six-song run of live numbers provides a flaming finish. --Martin Longley
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The Best.
This is simply the best value BB King cd on the market. Brilliant!
Rating: - Brilliant Album
I bought this at the request of my teenage son - I was somewhat surprised as it is not his usual taste, but he absolutely loves it, telling me it is a brilliant album, he now wants more of this type of album. This is good news for my ears as up to now he has been into very heavy metal.
Rating: - Fair Summation Of His ABC/MCA Period
As this collection of previously-released material does not go back beyond 1964, and BB King's first single came out in 1949, the claim that this represents his definitive greatest hits is a little contentious. However, although BB King featured heavily in the R&B charts throughout his highly successful early years, it is a surprising fact that, apart from two appearances at the bottom end of the US Top 100 in 1957, he had not been troubled by the hit parade before 1964. In 1962 BB King ... Read More
Rating: - He really is the king of the blues!
Having been fortunate enough to attend many of BB Kings concerts in Glasgow and Edinburgh, I always wished that he would do an album such as this one.I have numerous King albums containing different songs, but this really is one single collection of his lifes work. The album has his signature on the front under the words "this is music I enjoyed playing" and I can assure you it is music you cannot fail to enjoy hearing. From track 1on disc 1 "The Thrill is gone" to track 18 on disc 2 "Rock me ... Read More
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