Live At The Regal

From the 1970s, blues has become a dirty word. A dull genre that rewards dry technical efficiency and growling to signify passion. I automatically think I don't like blues as a result. This album shows what it can be. The energy, looseness from brilliant musicians (they could be tighter, they choose not to be) and the sheer energy of it is infectious and wonderful. You could draw a line from this album through James Brown, Hendrix, George Clinton, Prince, Outkast to Kendrick Lamar and it all makes sense. Are there occasionally overlong noodly guitar breaks? Of course there are, it's a live blues album. Do the nature of the restrictions of the genre sometimes make the songs sound a bit samey? Of course they do, it's a blues album! But there is a lot to say for a simple thing done well - sometimes a Victoria sponge is the treat you wanted. A great album - when the horns are allowed to fly free and the energy is high it's perfect, even if it does get a little samey at points. The high energy opener, Every Day I Have the Blues, and the Slinky, building closer, Help the Poor are highlights.

If this is the blues, then why is the album cover red, huh??

One where I think crowd noise really helps. Not that this album isn't fantastic, but the crowd is hyped up to see BB and it really makes the record that much more fun. BB was a phenomenal showman, and this album showcases it very well. Favorite tracks: "How Blue Can You Get?", "You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now"

I wonder if the people screaming in the crowd knew they were witnessing something special. I hope they had a sense of occasion and weren't so drunk they remember little. This is legendary, BB King cannot be faulted because he set the standard himself. His voice gives me chills. Nothing here is perfect and that in itself is just perfect. It's gritty, raw, honest, covered in smoke and whiskey, and just wonderful.

I'll give this 3 stars just because it's B.B. King, but I don't have the willpower to go through a full live blues album. Not at this stage of my life.

best live album of all time

B.B. King is THE king for a reason. He's just a phenomenal performer. This live album is a great demonstration of his power, skill, and sheer magnetism. There are so many great, utterly classic blues tracks here that it's hard to find much to fault. The biggest issue is that there isn't MORE B.B. King on this list.

Nobody since and to this day (besides Jimi Hendrix) has ever made their guitar cry in the way that the king of blues did all those years ago. A stellar live album, jam packed with hits and no misses, classic

The best blues I’ve heard yet!

Great album love the crowd interaction. Sent me on a blues rabbit hole.

There’s joy in this, which I don’t hear often, especially not in what’s called the blues. The songs are mostly rhythmic containers for King’s Heaven’s trumpet of a voice, the melodies he makes with it, and his guitar chatter, which is the exact opposite of the solemn, respectful, dusty stuff that his fans made after. A couple of times his guitars makes a big “PARP”, or clears its throat, moves onto the next bit of chat. I had fun with this today.

The actual blues. You can keep your blues rock, Mr White.

the immersion!! wow, you feel like you’re really there. love the fluidity, and the storytelling, my goodness. and of course the instrumentation is fabulous. that guitar sings!!

I don't like the blues. But I like this. B.B. Kings blues are so good they transcend to the joys.

What's there to say? A true Blues legend, performing at the top of his game.

Powerful. You watch tv and there always seems to be that character that says "Listen to that guitar! listen to that pain and emotion!" and in the middle of a sitcom you kinda ignore that comment...but now that I've listened to this album I think I get it a bit more

nice jazz

Yeah

I admit blues isn’t really my thing, but it was enjoyable regardless.

Brilliant album and a fantastic atmosphere created by the audience too

Loved this. Blues is great but it’s made even better when it’s live. I could smell the cigarette smoke. BB’s banter was amazing.

Familiarity: 1/10 Notes: I was not familiar with BB King live prior to this recording. The energy and drive he had as a showman as well as a musicians combined, with a fantastic backing band, led to an enjoyable and fun 35min jazz journey. Would definitely like to find myself listening to more Favorite Tracks: - Sweet Little Angel - Worry, Worry - Woke Up This Morning True Rating: 7/10

I'm sure this album is really good. Perhaps Mark will tell us more about why?

I don’t love listening to a whole album of essentially the same song. But it sounds like it was a lot of fun to be there.

Nr. 129/1001 Everyday I Have The Blues 4/5 Sweet Little Angel 3/5 It's My Own Fault 3/5 How Blue Can You Get? 4/5 Please Love Me 3/5 You Upset Me Baby 4/5 Worry, Worry 3/5 Woke Up This Mornin' 3/5 You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now 3/5 Help The Poor 4/5 Average: 3,4 Was a really enjoyable listen, but lacked some highlights to really bump it up.

I liked it but there wasnt a lot I would come back for.

it's a cloudy afternoon, mid-july. about this time you listen to your daily album of culture. (it is a prerequisite of death.) what's today's album? "live at the regal" by b.b. king. it's got a rating of 3.7 and it's a blues album. if anything can show you the full potential of the blues, surely this will be it... you start the album. they introduce the King of the blues himself. a song plays. it sounds like a typical blues song, but a bit upbeat. pleasant enough. it passes, and your majesty announces the next song, a "real oldie." it starts playing. it sounds familiar... it's like the last song but slow... a real oldie indeed. all the way from a couple minutes ago. another song plays. the Blue King proclaims, "it's my own fault, baby!" and the crowd absolutely ROARS at this. you listen. wait a second. something's strange... this sounds familiar... that's it! it's the same song you just listened to, but with different words! you can't fool me mr king. time for the next song. "while we're reminiscing here" mr King (of the blues) says. yes, reminiscing over the last three songs a.k.a. the last one song. "i'd like you to pay attention to the lyrics, not so much my singin or the band" im sure you would mr King (of the blues). but you cant pull the wool over my eyes. and so the song plays... again another (the same) song plays, an upbeat variation this time. it passes and the next song is introduced. "what do you say we bring him on, ladies and gentlemen? the great b.b. king!" little did they know they'd already brought him on. infact, he's already played five songs(one song)! the sixth variation passes. time for the next song introduction. "we wanna go way back. WAY back." they can't trick me, that's just like how track 2 was introduced! it plays. one could describe this variation of The Blues Song as "dynamic." it is the longest version of The Blues Song on the album. it ends. off-topic, but if there's anything you can say about mr King (of the blues) it isnt that he's impolite. he always says thank you to his screaming adoring fans. thank you too, mr King. the (next) song plays. it's pretty upbeat and the brass is excited. it is a fun variation, it makes itself stand out a bit. the High King of Bluesia thanks his subjects and the next variation begins. it sounds like the others. mr. The King tells his subjects to applaud his band and help the poor because he is a noble and just monarch. time for the next track. alright, the last track stands out from everything else. the last track is a gift. the last track is the King's luxurious gift to the commonfolk who support his kingdom. they thought it was impossible. they thought it couldnt be done. a second song on the album. while i was listening i decided to look up "best albums of 1965" and see what was going on those days, let's see... - The Who were born, good on them! that'll be a future roll from the generator - the Beatles release Rubber Soul, the 17th-highest rated album on the site as-of-reviewing. is it fair to compare? - dylan's gone electric, that rascal! how does it fee-eeellll.. - the Byrds release the album Turn! Turn! Turn! containing the song Turn! Turn! Turn! i like that one - The Temptations Sing Smokey! neato, the version of My Girl that most people know, among other things - the Beatles also release Help! man they were busy... - a Charlie Brown Christmas! nice, got an iconic piece of christmas history on that. not what i expected to see well looks like 1965 was an alright year! the details of my experience of this album come nearer to their close, and judgment approaches. "but the blues were foundational to all of rock music!" aint getting founded in 1965, that's for sure all in all i can't be a critic. i simply don't understand. i don't understand The Blues. it's like an episode of the Twilight Zone condensed into a music genre. this is Groundhog Music. help me. 1966 is just around the corner and it's coming in with a bang. you need to be more prepared than this. 2/5

Great voice, great backing band. Every song sounded exactly the same. I had to check to make sure it wasn’t accidentally playing the same song on repeat. Also would have rather just listened to a studio version without the crowd interrupting between every line and clapping over the songs. Kind of just annoyed me for the entirety. 4/10

Jazz isn’t really my vibe and I don’t like “live” albums where you can hear people screaming I’d rather just listen to the music.

BB King captured at the height of his considerable powers live in concert at the Regal Theater in Chicago in 1964 and released the following year, the year I was born, so this is as old as me, and just as great. It is a remarkable live recording. The tight rhythm section never stop, literally - until it's time to flip the record; the music segues seamlessly from one classic blues song to the next, BB introducing each with a little story "Ladies and Gentlemen" about having a girl, or losing a girl. The horn section is clear and sharp, the sound overall is stunning. And on top of the fantastic band, BB's guitar and voice are supreme. His lead playing is sounds so simple and is so perfect, and many greats have failed to duplicate the magic. His voice slips and slides from deep throaty growls to falsetto highs. This record marked the start of BB King's move from chitlin circuit to rock audiences. Innumerable guitarists, many of them white, many of them British, many of them great players took influence from this. A few came close...

Gets introduced as "The King of the Blues" and for 35 incredible minutes, he's holding court

B.B King lives up to his moniker! An incredible half and hour of some of the best blues. He skillfullt navigates between letting his voice and his guitar do the talking, all the while staying connected with the audience. 4.5/5, which I round up!

Love it! A classic. 5/5

The standard for live blues. VERY enjoyable listen. 10/10 highlights on this album are Sweet Little Angel, Worry Worry, and Help the poor.

The best live blues album of all time. B.B. King’s voice and guitar is THE blues.

Great Album, had fun listening

Excellent. I imagine this was an amazing Live set to be a part of! Great instrumentals and good vocal work. 'Worry, Worry' was my fave. Loved those guitar riffs!

This was such a great listen! So good. That crowd is absolutely insufferable, though. Why do people insist on screaming like that?

Blues still not my thing but who am I to judge?

Didn’t think I was going to be into this genre but I was so wrong! Very immersive. Really enjoyed his stage presence.

Truly the King. What a fantastic album. Love just hearing the joy and enthusiasm of the crowd throughout the songs. Great musicianship and truly outstanding vocals.

A quintessential blues album. His vocals just cut right through you. The tight backing instrumentation lets it shine.

Yeah, this is a hell of a great album. 5/5

High quality

No frills, no pretension, no overwrought production, no “clever” lyrical quips, no tryhard striving to create something “profound” - B.B. King didn’t need any of that. Grade A badassery, one of the pinnacles of a music genre that’s in the genome of essentially every style of modern music in the United States and beyond. Guy showed more genuine emotion in 34 minutes than some artists do in their entire career. And the fact that this was recorded in Chicago, a city whose Blues cred is second only to the Mississippi delta, only makes me love it more.

Awesome

wow

wow i love this

He’s not the king for nothing.

B.B. King was fucking good at that instrument. Truly earns the title of master. This captures the feel of this concert extremely well. Probably the rare live album that does that.

I can remember my mom playing B.B.King for me when I was a kid (somewhere between the age of 5-9). Her goal was to share the sensation of listening to good blues where it almost makes you feel like you're sucking on a piece of lemon. I'm not sure how much other people can get to this sensation BUT this is for sure some good "lemon music" as she would say. The platonic ideal of what blues should sound like in my opinion. Only one "weak" track for me with "Woke Up This Mornin'" but really even that is not so bad.

Can't fault it

I may be a little biased as I'm a big B.B. King fan, but I believe his blues style is goated. He has a way of making his guitar licks so similar but completely different. There's a reason is touted as one of the best blues guitarists of all time (I think he is THE best). Combine that with his soulful singing voice and the band behind him, this album is amazing. Props to the sound engineer, I would not have changed a thing.

B B King es una leyenda del blues. Está en la cima de cualquier lista de Bluesmes junto con Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf... su influencia sobre todos los solista y grupos de los 60 en adelante es obvia así como sobre Elvis Presley. B B King es escucha obligatoria, y si es un directo mejor que mejor. Este directo en su casa, pues eso era el Regal de Chicago para King, le llega en uno de sus mejores momentos, tanto a nivel compositivo, como técnico (escuchen y opinen) y sobre todo vocal. Everyday i have the blues es un clásico que se queda BB King arrebatándoselo a Memphis Slim, How blue can you get? es otro fijo, Worry, Worry es magistral, It’s only my fault imprescindible (de John Lee Hooker), Sweet Little Sixteen... todas hasta el alucinante Help the Poor. Ni un solo segundo de desperdicio o relleno. Otros discos del 65: Highway 61 Revisited de Bob Dylan, Antônio Carlos Jobim- The Wonderful World of Antônio Carlos Jobim, THE SONICS - Here are The Sonics, OTIS REDDING - Otis blue / Otis Redding sings soul, THEM - The angry young Them, THE BYRDS - Mr. Tambourine Man y Turn! Turn! Turn!, THE BEATLES - Help! y Rubber Soul, THE BEACH BOYS - Today!, , THE ROLLING STONES - Out of our heads, THE ANIMALS - Animal tracks, DON COVAY - Mercy!, THE PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND - The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, THE KINKS - The Kink Kontroversy y Kinda Kinks, THE WHO - My generation, THE PRETTY THINGS - The Pretty Things, THE YARDBIRDS - Having a rave up, BARRY McGUIRE - Eve of destruction, The Zombies- The Zombies, The Shangri-Las - Leader of the Pack , Bert Jansch- Bert Jansch y It Don't Bother Me, The Lovin' Spoonful- Do You Believe in Magic, The Yardbirds- For Your Love y Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds , Petula Clark - Downtown, The Turtles- It Ain't Me Babe, John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, The Temptations - The Temptations Sing Smokey, Nina Simone - Pastel Blues, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Going to a Go-Go, Nina Simone - I Put a Spell on You, James Brown - I Got You (I Feel Good), The Walker Brothers - Take It Easy With The Walker Brothers, Martha & The Vandellas - Dance Party, The Supremes - More Hits by The Supremes, Dionne Warwick - Here I Am y The Sensitive Sound of Dionne Warwick, The Impressions - People Get Ready, Four Tops-Four Tops y The second album... en general cualquier cosa de Motown...

Electric, simple, legendary

I see the king in BB King so why can’t you?

Wow, loved every minute of this album, it was great! 5 stars for me and will listen again certainly.

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I was aware of B.B. King from his appearances on Carson and in commercials for Burger King and McDonalds. He was Blues Grandpa. The elder statesman of The Blues. By the time I saw him play live in the 90s, he did everything seated in a chair and the audience was polite—quietly listening and clapping the "appropriate" amount between songs—as would befit a trip to the Blues Museum. What's really interesting about this album is hearing a 40 year-old BB King absolutely killing it and hearing an audience that was as raucous and fervent as teenagers at the height of Beatlemania. This is BB King at the height of his powers. This album is a document of the reason he became the legend he was. 5 stars

Brilliant live recording

The King Himself, nothing else to add; great performer, master of his craft and with an incredible dominion of the stage. Relic of a better past (musically); this is The Blues and nothing can compare to it.

Absolutely phenomenal live recording.

Have been able to see BB King and Lucille perform live a couple of times - he is the real deal!

One of my all time favorites 💙

Отличный джаз, настоящий олл скул

A perfect blues album.

As a guitar player I’m pretty sure if I give this album anything under a 5 some Illuminati will show up at my house …

Brilliant.

God, I love the blues. I don’t know of any other type of music, other than maybe jazz, than can so instantly hit you right in the soul. But unlike jazz, with the blues, you always know exactly where it’s going, but you never know how it’s going to get there. And that’s what makes it instantly accessible and familiar but eternally fresh. And B.B. King live at the regal is about as good as it gets. And as good as he is, the band might even be better. The best of the best at their best. 5/5 Highlights: It’s My Own Fault How Blue Can You Get? Worry, Worry

Yasssss

Great live album.

Excellent album, all the instruments were really expressive. Loved the guitar and the subtle piano backing in some of the songs like "Worry, Worry". Great writing and emotional singing, all around a very solid blues set. I can see why BB King is regarded as one of the greatest blues guitarists and singers. Only critique was that there was an intro in both track 1 and 6. I think it's fine to sample separate performances on a live album but would have cut out the second intro, when it played I had to double check that the album wasn't on shuffle. Favorite songs were: 3. It's My Own Fault 7. Worry, Worry 9. You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now 9/10

Brilliant, no skip album, incredible voice 9/10

👍🏻

Electric, simple, legendary

I've been super against live albums on this list so far, but I have to admit that it improves this. Must have been an amazing concert.

B.B. King shows why he's king of the blues. The crowd love it, he has soul, he struts and faces get melted. How can you not enjoy this album? Love it. Best Tracks: Sweet Little Angel; How Blue Can You Get?; Please Love Me

Fantastic!

bb king, legend. Amazing solos and great singing in this live album. Favorite track: How blue can you get other picks: sweet little angel, it’s my own fault, you done lost good

Mit Schwung und Spiellaune begleitet uns der Vollblutmusiker B.B.King durch den Rock'n Roll Blues und beherrscht sein Handwerk wie kein Anderer. Ich staune, bin begeistert und schwebe in andere Sphären. Danke Mr. King.

I mean, it's BB King playing the blues, live. Always 5 stars.

One of the best damn blues records you'll ever hear. Very easy 5.

That’s an extremely easy 5. Sometimes, you just get really encapsulated in an album to the point where you’re about as in sync with the music as the band was when they recorded it, and I hit that point of sync incredibly early on and never once lost it through the rest of the album. Just incredibly captivating stuff here, at least for me; I thought the crowd was red hot and never really cooled down throughout the album, on either half. I thought the band was on fire throughout the whole thing. I’ve never heard B.B. King’s voice or guitar, but I knew about the status both of those instruments held, and I’ll be damned if it didn’t live up to the almost mythical things I’ve read. I think that sums it up, really; it’s just an electric album, and the energy is incredibly easy to feel through the speakers or the headphones or whatever way someone might choose to listen to this. It’s a very fast 35 minutes, and I was hung on every last note, beat, vocal, and lyric throughout the whole thing. Absolutely worth the listen. Very, very easy 5.

So we had the King today! There are a lot of things that can be said about BB King, his songs and his legendary guitar licks, played by the equally legendary Lucille Guitar. But what I wanted to highlight about this album, is precisely the fact that it is live. The interaction with the audience and the stories he tells between songs (sometimes even during the song) give an impressive feeling of immersion, apart from the fact that this type of interaction between audience and artist no longer happens nowadays. BB King and the audience are almost talking to each other, as if they were at a Sunday barbecue sitting around a bar table. A very intimate atmosphere! Love it, 5 stars!

THIS MAN! What a voice, what a talent, what an entertainer! This is some real live blues and I am HERE FOR IT!

Still the king of the blues for me. Awesome

Great live album, one of my all time favorites.

I think I like live at cook county jail better but still great

Masterful. One of a number of 60s live albums that are not just excellent but often represent the best of an artist - ie - Dusty Springfield, James Brown, Johnny Cash, Grateful Dead - displaying what truly makes them unique. Live at the Regal shows what BB King does in a way that no one else does it. The blues have never sounded so joyous.

One of the greatest blues performers performing one of the greatest blues performances in one of the greatest blues cities in the world, what else can you say?

There are few things better than seeing live blues. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

Blues masterclass. Loved it.

Man those blues

Bardzo dobre. 5/5 Miły, ciepły głos BB, piękne instrumenty i klimat albumu koncertowego. Zazwyczaj za nimi nie przepadam, ale ten jest dobry.

Amazig

That slapped!

Will be king forever

Great! Listen to again!

Eu tenho uma crítica sobre álbuns ao vivo. Geralmente acho eles muito inferiores pela qualidade da gravação dos instrumentos, barulhos da plateia e pela interação dos músicos com o público, que muitas vezes sinto que quebra a fluidez de uma música para outro e atrapalha a experiência de ouvir um álbum inteiro. Vou dizer que esse álbum conseguiu superar todos os problemas citados. A gravação e mixagem dos instrumentos e da voz está perfeita; o sons da plateia está na medida: não se sobrepõem à música e trazem a energia e entusiasmo de ver a banda ao vivo, e a interação do B.B. King é fenomenal. Toda vez que ele dirige a palavra ao público, se revela que, além de um grande músico, ele também tinha muito carisma e presença.

That was wonderful. One of those - I wish I was there - kind of albums.

One of the best live albums ive listened to