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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
Product Description
1-The Thrill Is Gone 2-Paying The Cost To Be The Boss 3-Don't Answer The Door Pt.1&2 4-I Like To Live The Love 5-How Blue Can You Get 6-Why I Sing The Blues 7-Chains And Things 8-To Know You Is To Love You 9-When Loves Come To Town 10-Playin' With My Friends 11-Never Make Your Move Too Soon 12-Better Not Look Down 13-There Must Be A Better World Somewhere 14-Hummingbird 15-Everyday I Have The Blues (live) 16-Sweet Little Angel (live) 17-Help The Poor 18-So Excited 19-Broken Heart 20-Ghetto Woman 21-Ain't Nobody Home 22-Darlin' You Know I Love You 23-In The Midnight Hour 24-Into The Night 25-My Lucille 26-The Blues Come Over Me 27-Since I met You Baby (with Gary Moore) 28-I'm Moving On 29-Let The Good Times Roll (live with B. Bland) 30-Woke Up This Morning (live) 31-3 O'Clock Blues (live with B. Bland) 32-Please Love Me (live) 33-Caldonia (live) 34-Rock Me Baby (live) (1964-93 'MCA Records')(139:42/34)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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 baby" I was enthralled by this ageless masters talents. The album features Bobby Bland, U2, Bob Cray and Gary Moore and includes a number of live recordings of his best work. I cannot commend this album highly enough, it will become a collectors item I'm sure.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
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 signed with ABC and appeared thereafter on their ABC Paramount, Bluesway and ABC labels. After they were taken over by MCA, his records appeared on that label, and these recordings are all taken from these periods, the most recent being Playin' With My Friends, with Robert Cray, taken from 1993's Blues Summit album. He had released little after that at the time of this compilation's release in 1999, instead concentrating on touring and performing.
Most of the songs chosen here were A-sides of singles, although some of these are in their lengthier album format. Quite a few others are taken from live performances, thus representing some earlier material recorded for other labels as well as showcasing contemporary material in an electric live setting.
BB King achieved his greatest mainstream success during this period and the price we have to pay is that alongside genuinely thrilling and innovative pieces such as The Thrill Is Gone there are a few too many bland-outs and celebrity guest appearances from Gary Moore, Leon Russell, Bobby "Blue" Bland and Dr John, which perhaps are not needed on a "best of" from an artist of the statuure of BB King. The U2 collaboration When Love Comes To Town was a Top Ten single in the UK and so its inclusion was mandatory, and it is a great record.
Now nearing eighty years of age, BB King is the greatest living blues legend, and this is a fair summation of his ABC/MCA years, if such a mighty output can be reduced to just two discs (it can't). If you enjoy this you owe it to yourself to go on to buy at least one companion piece representing his earlier years on the RPM and Kent/Crown labels
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 signed with ABC and appeared thereafter on their ABC Paramount, Bluesway and ABC labels. After they were taken over by MCA, his records appeared on that label, and these recordings are all taken from these periods, the most recent being Playin' With My Friends, with Robert Cray, taken from 1993's Blues Summit album. He had released little after that at the time of this compilation's release in 1999, instead concentrating on touring and performing.
Most of the songs chosen here were A-sides of singles, although some of these are in their lengthier album format. Quite a few others are taken from live performances, thus representing some earlier material recorded for other labels as well as showcasing contemporary material in an electric live setting.
BB King achieved his greatest mainstream success during this period and the price we have to pay is that alongside genuinely thrilling and innovative pieces such as The Thrill Is Gone there are a few too many bland-outs and celebrity guest appearances from Gary Moore, Leon Russell, Bobby "Blue" Bland and Dr John, which perhaps are not needed on a "best of" from an artist of the statuure of BB King. The U2 collaboration When Love Comes To Town was a Top Ten single in the UK and so its inclusion was mandatory, and it is a great record.
Now nearing eighty years of age, BB King is the greatest living blues legend, and this is a fair summation of his ABC/MCA years, if such a mighty output can be reduced to just two discs (it can't). If you enjoy this you owe it to yourself to go on to buy at least one companion piece representing his earlier years on the RPM and Kent/Crown labels
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This double album of BB Kings music offers a great introduction to his music and to the blues in general.
This has a mix of studio and live tracks although I would've preferred more of the latter and starts off with one of my favourites, `The Thrill is Gone' which has some amazing guitar playing, a wonderfully soulful feel and BB's melancholy soaked vocals.
`Help the Poor' is another favourite and the track that open the second disc, I simply adore the horns which compliment things perfectly.
Any compilation will have it's advocates and detractors, but I personally enjoy the running order of tracks on offer here and feel it gives a good taste of what BB is all about, which is all we can hope for really. You get some sublime guitar playing, searing blues and some classic tracks all in one place, well worth checking out.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
This has a mix of studio and live tracks although I would've preferred more of the latter and starts off with one of my favourites, `The Thrill is Gone' which has some amazing guitar playing, a wonderfully soulful feel and BB's melancholy soaked vocals.
`Help the Poor' is another favourite and the track that open the second disc, I simply adore the horns which compliment things perfectly.
Any compilation will have it's advocates and detractors, but I personally enjoy the running order of tracks on offer here and feel it gives a good taste of what BB is all about, which is all we can hope for really. You get some sublime guitar playing, searing blues and some classic tracks all in one place, well worth checking out.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Love it!!!!!
I see why they call this man king of the blues. I'm fortunate to own quality audio equipment and when you add BB to the mix its a marriage made in heaven. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. K. P. Skinner
BB King Definitive Greatest Hits
Well I was listening to a review of his work on BBC R4. Fantastic music, I have a few of his tracks from different compilations dotted about my music collection and thought it... Read more
Published 11 months ago by P. Lane
Truly dire.............
Anyone who has seen him live will know the crushing disappointment. If you like sitting in the waiting rooms of groovy dentists or the DSS, do buy it. Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2009 by Mr. Alan D. Woolf
I never received this item or a refund!
I purchased this CD via Amazon. It did not arrive. I received an e-mail from the seller explaining that I should be refunded by Amazon not them. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2009 by P. Osborne
The Best.
This is simply the best value BB King cd on the market. Brilliant!
Published on 3 July 2007 by Rob Dylan
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... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2005
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