Reviews (page 7 of 14)
Classy. I won't return to it, but it's decent.
I did not use a private session on Spotify for this one.
osjecam se uzasno al meni to sve isto zvuci bolje nego u2 u svakom slucaju
I feel like this project has given me an impulse reaction to dismiss any live album that pops up for me. I’d rather just get a studio album, as opposed to a recording of some random performance that some producers thought was good enough to slap onto a record and sell. This one, however, was an exception. Given it’s a blues live album, I’ll admit that a lot of this can be a bit repetitive. But given the short runtime of this album, it’s not that bad. It’s also B.B. King. The sheer energy he had was one of a kind. I understand now why he’s considered a legend. Even the crowd here could sense it. They were going ballistic for almost the whole thing. This is one of the few albums that justifies being live. It really feels like a moment where “you just had to be there”. Favorite track: Sweet Little Angel Other hits: It’s My Own Fault, You Upset Me Baby, Help the Poor, How Blue Can You Get?
Lovely listen!
Don’t love blues albums, but this was pretty good. 3, but giving it an extra .5 for brevity. Rounding up to 4.
Amazing. Puts the king in BB King. Crunchy blues
I enjoyed it
He was the King
I’m not a blues person but I smiled for him kindly and liked the guitar playing but I kind of struggled to listen the whole way through. 2.5 stars!!!
No es solo un concierto es una lección de blues viva, intima y a rebosar de espíritu. Desde el alma con 6 cuerdas y un microfono
BB King is a blues legend. He is the epitome of less is more and plays the guitar with a soul like no other.
Whilst this list might be pretty inconsistent on most days, every live album I've had - my 4th now I think - has been a great experience. Getting this bit right for sure.
Hate live music
Type of music that would make vampires want to break into a juke joint
Good blurs music. I tired of it as it went on, so I guess I prefer John Lee Hooker or Howlin' Wolf.
Love it! I didn't realize that his older stuff was such traditional old south style blues. I definitely want to listen to this album more
BB is a cut above the rest
This guy plays the guitar pretty well
Such a great album. Definitely King of the blues. 5 Stars
Overall: 7/10 This is a really fun album. The blues is ironically very upbeat at times and when it comes to this album specifically, I actually enjoy the live atmosphere compared to other live albums. It adds a lot to songs I haven't heard before. B.B. King is a great singer and guitarist. Fav Song: Worry, Worry Least Fav Song: Woke Up This Mornin'
Really underwhelmed to be honest.
Listening to B.B. King always reminds me of car rides with my Dad. He had a thing for the Blues, and always had B.B. Kings Sirius XM channel on in his car. Everywhere we went together came with the sound of blues and B.B. Nostalgia trip for sure.
I kinda zoned out while listening to this album. I don’t remember anything from it, and I don’t remember there being anything too special about it.
Hell yes this is my kinda jam
Not typically a huge blues fan but this was a fun listen.
BB King, simply the best, and a delight to hear this live show. This will be added to my short list of albums to return to and listen to as a whole album.
nice old classic blues (as well as I believe the first live album I've reviewed) and it has some surprisingly funny lyrics. "I bought you a ten dollar dinner, and you said 'thanks for the snack'" favorite song: "how blue can you get?" overall: 7/10
Great album love bb king.
The album I received yesterday was The Black Crowes' SHAKE YOUR MONEYMAKER. It was a samey blues album that I gave a 3 because when it was released in 1990 it didn't really add any new elements to the blues. This live album was fantastic for all the reasons that The Black Crowes album was not. This album feels vital. You can feel the energy of the moment between B.B. King's band and the audience. Not every blues song sounds the same and the solos are fantastic, never too indulgent. Even the album length, at 35 minutes, is the perfect amount to whet your appetite but not burst your belly.
Timeless blues classic. King's vocal performances are some of the best I've heard. There's something special about live albums from this era. Not something I'll obsess over, but an experience I enjoyed nonetheless. Favorite Tracks: Everyday I Have the Blues; Sweet Little Angel; Please Love Me; Worry, Worry; Help the Poor
Great performance from an obvious legend. Could be longer though; I kind of doubt that the concert itself was only 35 minutes long :sweat_smile:
A truly exceptional album from a legend of blues. Was sad when it ended and wish it was longer. The guitar is incredible and B.B.'s voice isn't too bad either. 8.5/10 (4.25/5)
I like his guitar playing and how he advocated against domestic abuse
Refined energy An all-out rager with class B.B and his axe - a haiku
B.B. King is a legend in not just blues but in music as a whole. It was great listening to a live recording of songs that I have listened to a lot before.
Artiste connu de nom. C'est la première fois que j'écoute un album complet. Les morceaux dynamiques sont assez entrainants, mais l’intérêt diminue avec le rythme. Et le blues me lasse assez vite. Aucune envie de l'écouter de nouveau. =>2/5
I like most every style of classic blues, but I generally gravitate the most towards the stripped-down Delta players or the dirtier Chess/Chicago sound. B.B. often lives in this slightly livelier style a la T-Bone Walker, and although I do genuinely like that style, it occasionally veers a bit too close to this sort of jump blues that doesn’t resonate as much with me. This particular album hints at that, but there are also quite a few highlights, even though I’ve historically preferred Live at Cook County Jail and his opening set from the deluxe edition of Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out. “How Blue Can You Get?” and “Worry, Worry” are probably my favorites, and his voice and playing are both in strong form throughout. 3.5/5
I like the blues, but I lean more towards acoustic blues, folk-blues, and country-blues. I’ll admit, I find post-war Chicago-style blues to be kind of corny, clichéed, and conformist. I’ve never particularly liked BB King, and this album didn’t do anything to change my opinion.
¡Me encantó! Esta lleno de energía; no puedes evitar querer bailar y los gritos del fondo son un plus. Viva el blues y viva B.B. King, puedo entender por qué es una leyenda.
Relevant and important a fine example of performance as the quintessential version
Finally! A blues album that isn't boring. Legendary performance!
Good album, the depth of appreciation and knowledge of the audience is palpable, the blues was/is a popular music and this album captures that popularity.
rare good live album
If I were a teen in the 60s, I’d probably be screaming too
Good vibes, but not my style.
It's a nice performance. Well done. Not something I enjoy as much Edit: changing to a 3 on Oct 5 2025, I like jazz a bit more now
Good but not my thing.
A good album, I liked Sweet Little Angel and Please Love Me the most.
What a great live album! Totally swingin’, BB at his peak, great licks, an awesome backing band and it feels like you’re right there in the groove. Totally dig it! Faves are “please love me” and “how blue can you get”. Also what’s going with the start of “you upset me baby”. Why the re-intro and switch? Loses all momentum of the live sequencing.
Coming from a Rolling Stones album (Exile on Main Street) to this is like a breath of fresh air, even though nominally, this and the Stones aren't miles apart.
Heretical as it is for me to say as a Chicagoan, pure blues has never really been my genre, as much as I can appreciate it as one of the crucial building blocks of modern music. King's technical skill and overwhelming charisma come through in spades on this album, but for me, personally, I struggle with each track seeming sort of same-y, which I often feel when tackling blues-qua-blues.
Sure. Christgau really likes it so I'll pretend I care about the blues more than I do.
Classic live blues from one of the greats!
Solid live album. Wasn’t a big fan of the quip about hitting women.
I’ve enjoyed BB’s blues in the past and this early BB is even better. The live jam session was impressive.
I didn’t know much about him. He certainly helped blues and didn’t hurt it because that can happen in certain genres
Meh. This didn't really do it for me. Was really expecting something more from what is touted to be one of the best live albums of all time. There have been others on this list that I enjoyed a lot more.
Usually I’m not a big blues fan but BB is a legend & can understand why-great showman &crowd interaction 3.5
Kings voice is just *chefs kiss*
"How Blue Can You Get?" was good! Enjoyed this album a bit more than I thought I would.
Absolutely wonderful album, what I imagine when I think of a perfect blues album
I don’t know when, but I actually have listened to this album quite a few times. B.B. King is not my favorite, but this is undeniably a magnificent album.
Very cool
Beautiful sound, but what a dog! Sheesh!
BB King is the best
Blues
A lot of shrill screaming ruined my enjoyment of this album. Great performance and some good songs
Gear: Focalman Cleardara Artwork: 🎸🎙️🟥 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🫅🏾🎸🎺🔥💙🙌 Rating: 👑👑👑👑/5
Was some good blues
Fine, but I wouldn’t seek it out to listen to again.
I don't really fuck with live albums. But, yeah, guy can play guitar. 2 stars for the casual domestic violence jokes #differenttime
It's an enjoyable record. Live records can be hit or miss. This record, however, was more hit than miss. I liked the performances from the band and B.B. King. I thought there was good emotional delivery in the vocals. I was surprised by the lack of guitar presence in this record, although I loved it when it was there. The saxophone and piano performances were also amazing. I only had a few low points that I noticed. One was sacrificing some of the sound quality because of the live recording. Another was that some of the tracks seemed forgettable. Favourite Track(s): How Blue Can You Get? Worry, Worry Least Favourite Track(s): Help the Poor
Great Album.
not necessarily the biggest blues fan, but the musicians were amazing and the fact that this was a live album made it even better!
Good as background music
Great emotion and musical skill. Some great joking in there. Just a good time all around.
I think I had only listened to this one time before this. Man, what a record. I’ve always been pretty selective with my blues, and I’d say it’s not one of my favorite genres. To be honest, like many millennials with an affinity for indie rock the majority of my blues intake came from the Black Keys in the 00’s (not shitting on them… great band). I figured out that I like Muddy Waters around 10 years ago, and his Hard Again album from this list is tremendous. B.B., for all his renown, isn’t an artist I’ve really gravitated towards in my past for some reason. I think I first heard him on his record with Clapton (Ridin’ With The King), which is an okay record. That said, this album packs a different punch. Kings guitar playing on the record is no surprise, he was a masterful blues electric guitar player, but his vocals are what especially stand out to me versus my expectations. Every track is a blues powerhouse, but Sweet Little Angel and How Blue Can You Get? especially stand out. It’s sublime and an instant 5 stars from me.
the best I’ve heard of this style, just not really my thing. phenomenal guitar playing (obviously). 7/10
You just can't go wrong with BB King
Fun album, I have to admit I have sort of a preference for live albums. B.B King is extremely charismatic and there isn't a bad cut here. However, there aren't really any high points on this album either which leaves everything feeling pretty one note
The same blues song 10 times
This is superb. I normally prefer studio albums over live albums, but here it works. B.B. King's voice, guitar work and the crowd all blend together extremely well.
One of the greats, but it's still a live album. Does the screeching of girls add to YOUR listening experience?
This is indeed a great live album albeit a bit short!
4 While it is not my favorite live BB album (that would be 1971's searing "Live at Cook County Jail,) it is a brilliant document of BB leading a fever-pitch crowd from the stage. Side one is tremendous. "Help the Poor" is a good uplifting ending but I always want him to sail out like he does on 1969's "Live and Well" with "Why I Sing The Blues." [ALSO: there are several weird edits on the Spotify version. No deductions for that.]
Calm, relaxing blues
Catchy and fun to listen to. Highlights: Everyday I Have the Blues, It’s My Own Fault.
it's just a pleasure to listen to them playing with so much joy!
Chill blues album med kiva stämning
Desert island album for me
It's alright, the crowd very excited
An all time classic example of the blues.
BB being BB
Decent, I doubt I'll go out of my way to listen to it as it's a live album but there's no doubting he was incredibly talented
Favorites: It's My Own Fault, How Blue Can You Get, Woke Up This Mornin' There's not much I can really say about this album, or live albums in general, because I feel like a lot of the substance would be felt better in person rather than a recording, so live album reviews will be a bit brief. With that aside, B.B. King is an outstanding vocalist, and the album really showcases that. Very pleasant experience. 7.5/10
Again not sure why I always hesitate to give five stars but this was an album where I just can’t fault it, it’s just like ‘what’s not to love’ so five stars it is!
Fantastic album! Then again, I like jazz and I was probably due a dosis. Great timing!
cool
So that’s what upside your head means. Oops.
bb blues
Wish it was looking nger
Great performances by King and his band.
a day when you can listen to bb king is always a good day. What a performer. I am so glad I got to see him in concert. My only complaint was that “Everyday I Have the Blues” was too fast.
A 35 minute long perfect storm of live fun. The King is on it, the backing band is sharp, the crowd are having a great time. I need THIS blues on my island.
Energetic blues
Порой звучание интересное, но по большому счёту, пока не осознал в чём мощь этой концертной пластинки. С надеждой на лучшее понимание ставлю 6,5 из 10.
3.3 2nd 60s live album in a row, but to be fair I enjoyed this one more. Fidelity meant it wasn't the most accessible, but sounds like it would have been a class gig. Can really hear the Zeppelin influence in some of these, to the point you could argue some of the riffs on LZ1 were ripped off some of these. Not sure I'd have it on repeat, but a nice inclusion.
Nice
Incredible album. 10/10
4/5 I don’t listen to a lot of blues, but, wow, the vocals and the instruments here are so powerful and pure. King’s voice is superb. And I love how the audience is just with the musicians every step of the way.
I thought it was cool and classic, but a bit boring while actively listening…until I zoned out. Spent an hour literally rocking and rolling in my seat. Awesome
Not usually big on live albums but damn what a night that must've been. That man could make a guitar sing and a stone get up and groove. Casual misogyny never went down so smooth.
Undeniably brilliant. He's feeling it, they're feeling it, I'm feeling it.
It’s great as a performance but live albums rarely sit well with me. Albums have a lot of potential to be a real artistic statement, but live albums cannot really have that impact. He’s a great singer though and the band were on point.
I’m sure BB King is great but I found this a little boring, plus it’s a live album
Prior to listening to this, all of my listening experience with BB King had been listening to his studio recordings, and even that was sparing. To hear him, and his band, in the full throes of a live performance, is illuminating. It's so easy to think of the blues as a slower, sadder, more deliberate style of music, but here, King and co. are are raucous, almost toying with the crowd as they go. It's fantastic, and full of joy.
Credit where credit's due. If you can effectively mic up a venue to sound like you're actually there in the recording, and it's the mid 60s, you're a freak of an audio engineer. That said, this is a 10-track-long exercise in "how many ways can we make the 12 bar blues sound different?". I will not stand for anyone claiming modern music is far more formulaic and repetitive, even though it has got worse. Listen, I'd chuck this on in the background at a dinner, but far more revolutionary things were happening in the world of blues. Sorry B.B. 6.5/10 (again)
I'll admit, I'm getting tired of the live albums. But this is one of the seldom few in this list that HAS to be included here. This album is so insanely important to music, it inspired countless artists and arguably defined blues from thereon. I'm not going to write a long winded review here, this is so obviously an easy 5 I'm wasting my time to even justify why. We all know why already. This thing is such a rich listening experience. I went from thinking I was actually there at the Regal, to forgetting this was even a live album. Insanely good quality recording for '65. Anyways, kinda sad this was a weekend album because I barely needed to even write a review here. Fantastic.
In terms of the music itself I was leaning closer to a 4 but given how much I have ragged on a lot of live albums on this list for their poor quality and feeling antithetical to the point of a live recording by cutting out certain parts. I have to applaud this album for doing basically everything I have asked for from other live albums. How the fuck did they get it so right back in the 60s but we still have dolts messing this stuff up from albums listed here from the 90s
Live performance is far and away the best format for blues music. Especially enjoyed the part where he jokes about not hitting your woman because she’ll learn nothing except how to dodge it next time.
This album feels out of order, i thought it was great, but if it was BB King who designed this set list it really ain't it. Thankyou 1001 for introducing me to another awesome Soul and R&B album. Ain't got nothing on Cooke tho. 8/10
A live album that manages to capture the strengths of a live performance versus a studio recording. There is just enough noise from the crowd, ambient sounds of the venue, chatter from the artist and little flourishes of character from BB King. Naturally, as an artist, his influence cannot be understated as an absolute titan of Rock and Roll. To my fault, I have never been a proper afficionado of blues and for my sins I was lucky enough to receive this as a weekend album to really give it multiple listens. Coming away from four listens at various levels of attention-paying, there are two real standout songs on here for me. As far as live albums go, I can't fault this at all but I've certainly heard other ones on this list that floored me a lot more than this one. All in all, this is a hell of an album to polish off a bottle of red and eat some slowcooker carnitas to (oddly specific but this was my favourite of my four listens). Highlights: It's My Own Fault, You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
Will probably appreciate this more on multiple listens. Pleasant - running out of adjectives to describe music with after 250 albums lol. High 70s, rounded up, although I couldn't pick one song out as a particular highlight. Read as one.
Easy listen, might need more to see if it is 3 stars.
Love this album, gives you energy to complete a task at work :) 5/5
A classic live blues album where one track drifts into another (at least for part of the album). No doubting the charisma and rhythm that comes through on every track. I don’t always think the electric guitar makes absolute sense but equally there’s some stonking solos in there. Somehow never sat down and listened to BB, which I have reason to change now.
I havent listened to Jazz and blues reliably for about 15 years. Not sure why I dont typically listen to music like this but its top notch. When at university I did get immersed in some decent jazz / blues where I have to say personally its where the genre sets itself apart as its a live spectacle of musical mastery which you dont always get from "typical" music artists live. Great album and I need to spend some time on this for sure! Or better still find a live band to go see.
This performance slams! It's a raw and soulful blues record with some tight musicianship and banging vocals. It's amazing that this was recorded live, King makes the guitar sing and then his vocals are bang on and so expressive. Listened to this twice through back to back, just wish I could have been there to see it live.
I don't like lisyening to recorded live music
Yes! So cool
I don’t always love a live album but this was worth it. He’s very talented and his voice translates well to the live recording. All songs were good.
This is a heater. The vocals are wild and expressive, and the tenors are sweet. Sweet Little Angel is an unbelievably strong and performance. His guitar and vocal solos on Worry Worry are disgusting in a good way.
Gotta love the Blues and why yes he is the King!
Genre defining music
Buss classic blues
Good blues album - the voice is incredible, and the guitar sound is great, but for some reason it didn’t grab me like Muddy Waters at Newport did.
Wouldn't actively seek out again, but good blues
a masterclass in the blues.
Guess I like blues now.
Honestly if you don't like this you probably don't like talent or artistry.
BB King makes blues fun and interesting.
Buenos covers de John Mayer
3.5
B.B. King has a really good voice, he can make the guitar sing and the backing band was great. But it's very typical blues. Some tracks are more upbeat, some a little slower, a lot of guitar noodling, but it's all pretty similar sounding. I could jump into any of these songs and wouldn't be able to tell them apart. I enjoyed the faster paced tracks more than the slower ones. I recognise the immense talent, but it's not to my tastes. The type of album I'd put one song on at a time if I was really in the mood for it but never listen to it in full.
I have a rule, Best Of albums and Live albums should not be included on any favorite or best album list, unless, UNLESS, it's an amazing live album. And, there are very few of those. For example, Talking Heads Stop Making Sense and Sinatra Live at The Sands. And that's it! And now I'm including B.B. King Live at The Regal. What an infectious album. Seriously great!
1964, I remember it like yesterday. I got my first edition Ford Mustang and played the blues to my beautiful wife in it. We did some other stuff in that car which I wont expose on this website 🤪🤪. B.B king, what a guy and artist, Some say he is the king of blues. I loved this album and I love my wife.
3.5/5
The most vibrant live album I’ve ever listened to. BB King genuinely makes the audience feel every note he sings and hang on every note he plays.
That must have been a great concert. I'm afraid that as someone who wasn't there and listens to the recording over 60 years later, it loses a little of its otherwise certainly extraordinary effect. But the blues session I heard afterwards was nice. I also liked getting the hint to listen to B.B. King again. 3/5
I wasn't particularly impressed by this.
nice live album. i like the story he tells as he sings. i should listen to more similar live albums
Recognize the talent, not really my taste.
I like hearing these dinosaur songs actually roam the earth as wild animals instead of the slick way blues is usually presented. It should be a strict prerequisite for blues jam participants to hear this version of "Everyday I Have the Blues" before they are allowed up there with their fedora and $2K guitar.
This is a great showcase for B.B. King as vocalist, bandleader, entertainer and especially guitarist. The drummer is tight and the band is funky. Live recordings to me are always hit or miss, but this one captures what sounds like a hell of a night, with a top-notch band and an enthusiastic audience. I for one would be happy to see more blues on this list.
I don't generally like live records but understand that with jazz it makes sense. With blues, eh. Also I saw the film Sinners a few hours before we got assigned this record . It is the story of a blues musician in rural Mississippi whose family are cotton sharecroppers. Now I have to wonder if BB King's life was influenced by vampires.
A great sounding live album. Love that there is interstitial banter with the crowd on this one (something you don't often get on live albums). And TIL where Primitive Radio Gods got their "I've been downhearted baby" sample from.
This was such a solid blues album and honestly such a vibe! I would listen to this album again and would encourage others to check out B.B. King!
I really like bb king, especially live, but it feels like there are better performances.
This seems like it would have been so much fun to see in the moment. It translates well on audio.
Listened to this twice in a row
B.B. King really sings the shit out of this material
My God, blues musicians are just terrible at relationships.
Great emotional blues, so much power and depth
I had a B. B. King tee shirt growing up but never actually listened to him (fake fan). Biggest mistake of my life. At first I thought that Led Zeppelin might have stolen It's My Own Fault and used it to make Since I Been Lovin' You, but I think all blues rock probably just sounds like that
Wanted to like this more, but it's just so dated.
El público se vuelve LOCOOOO :PPPPPPP. Entretenido, me gusta la fockin vibra
Classic. Der King ist halt der King
Meh
"I gave you seven children and now you wanna give them back" Wow, I'm loving this! Didn't really love the first song but everything after is just great! I love his energy, I love the guitar playing, I love everything. Besides the first song. Obviously.
Another Live album oh boy! Every day, every day I have the live album blues from this website, nobody loves me, nobody seems to care. Album is actually a lot of fun, dude was hugely influential. King of the blues BB!
I used to give out three stars for notability even if I didn’t like the music. I don’t wanna do that anymore. I know this is supposed to be important but it’s boring and tedious.
solidno, zabavno, iako mi format uživo baš i ne leži
Yas BB King. Loved how blue can you get.
Classic
too much jazz
An excellent artifact capturing a performance of one the best to ever do it. Great Blues is excellent. Great recording.
BB KIIIIIIIG
I'm not really a Blues guy. I don't know, I just find the songs very similar to each other. Like most Rock 'n' Roll, they do follow the standard 12-bar blues form, after all that's why it's called that. The fact that this is live helps sell these performances, as they sound more energetic than they would be otherwise. And while I do appreciate what this record brings to the table here, I don't think I would pick this up and give it a listen in any other context.
love love love
King's of course a legend for his playing, but his raw singing makes these often straightforward blues songs timeless.
If this was a studio album I wouldn't have liked it much. Songs are much the same and I've never got into this kind of blues. But the live element and production make this a much better album. Lively.
This is better feel like the last few have been genres that just don't click with me. But then again if I just listened to it more my ear would get used to it and I could appreciate it then, I just really like modern trap music, i like all the elements and the drums and melodies, it's a lot more ecclectic which I like and I'm not gonna let anyone change my mind on that! Trap music is my favourite type of music and ambient. I love these live albums, and the crowds energy and reaction, very engaging
Decent, not really my thing and I'm not a big fan of live albums. Great stage presence though.
So good! Seems like it would have been a blast to be there.
All hail the king of the blues. So much soul and pride put into his performances he really was about the musicians life. Great crowd as well.
i now like blues, really good but can’t stand the live album format, please love me is peak.
Really fun one track with the seven kids and given them right back was hype I loved hearing crowd excitement
Love it. Live BB King, what's not to love.
Really enjoyed this, 5/5. The live show adds to the atmosphere, and the playing is very clean and bluesy.
3.5
3.5
Blues is something that tires me. I don't find this bad at all but I'm just bored. It's all nice, the guitar playing especially is very fine but I'm always kinda thinking that "I thought I heard this song already". This sounds surprisingly good for a 60-year-old live album.
3.5
I do believe the the hype on this one. B.B. I think gives a fierce stellar performance, and his band really cooks. I absolutely dig the twin horn arrangement. (Coming from Memphis, I'm used to twin or trio brass arrangements with live full band blues). Honestly this pretty killer performance in my book. 9.55/10 ★★★★½
I like my blues a bit rawer, but nice live album. 3.5 stars
Live at the Regal is pretty good. It's a little to straightforward for my tastes, but I think B.B. is a great singer and guitarist, and definitely makes the most out of the material. It's a great sounding live album too. My favorites were "How Blue Can You Get?", "Woke Up This Mornin'" and "Help the Poor". 3.5 stars.
Somewhere between Martin Luther King and Burger King lies B.B. King, one of the true greats of blues guitaring during the 50s and 60s and whose lean, mean, cool, classy style was such an influence on the Stones, Eric Clapton and especially Peter Green who in fact became one of King’s favourite guitarists and the one who could give him ‘cold sweats’. So obviously the dude is of very sound immaculate taste and this here live album is indeed very tasty. Not home to any massive blues whoppers, I can’t actually name any one favourite track but it all has that general yummy moreish bluesy vibe that makes it a mighty fine background listen. Leanest of 4 stars.
Holy moly, almost missed this one and what a heartbreak that would've been. The blues are great. B.B. King is The King. The live ambience is joy. What an all-around great time.
Fun, short, jazzy
I actually really liked this. I loved the live vibe and the conversations between tracks. The sound is so crisp and makes me feel nostalgia for something I didn’t experience. I imagine what it must’ve been like to be in that crowd. No one holding up phones in a sad attempt to immortalize a moment meant to be beautiful and fleeting. For a moment, all these people were captured by the same thing.
I have the blues, nobody loves me. Makes sense
Im not a blues fan but the problem with blues albums is that you cannot tell any of the songs apart
“I asked my baby for a nickel… and she GAAAAVE me a $20 bill” I want what he has
Love the live elements. The screaming and the asides to the audience are a great addition. Highlights are the titular How Blue Can You Get? and You Upset Me Baby (I am upset about the fake out at the beginning). The first slow point being Worry, Worry is wild and it kicks right back up after. Good back to front.
Velvet dress, smokey bar, STRONG Martini that I am being so brave about and not wincing when I sip. Mans is waiting in the car until I'm done, I pull out another cigarette. He can wait.
Good, I guess?
Superb
A pretty standard collection of blues tracks, greatly helped by King's charisma and some extra great tunes in Sweet Little Angel and It's My Own Fault. It's nothing outstanding, but it's fun to follow along to.
I'm not a Blues person, but I do feel that the presentation and instrumentation on this recording, combined with the time it was made, push it above a 3 for me.
Very good blues. Generally not my thing, but got enough of a Fallout-core thing going on that I enjoy it a little more than most blues. The crowd reactions are great and his voice is fantastic.
I loev his voice and his guitar playing, but I didn't really enjoy this band set up. I'm not sure jolly trumpets and jazzy piano really put me in the right mood to enjoy the blues. He has other recordings I generally put on instead.
Funny that this was the first album to pop up as "How Blue Can You Get?" was a clue on Wednesday's Jeopardy game. Reminds me of the by the slice pizza place on the ISU campus with the pencil drawings of blues artists all over the walls. <3
So short! Worry worry worry sounds great for burlesque
some decent live performances from a legend. Blues is definitely great live.
B.B King’s music has so much passion and feeling behind every part of it. Usually would prefer studio recorded albums vs live audience albums, but for some reason it felt right to listen to this live
This was just Ok. Thought and hoped there’d be more guitar from B.B., but no.
Didn’t expect to ascertain the origin of a primitive radio gods sample today.
This was exciting to listen to, first half was brilliant and B.B.’s charisma shines through in his commentary and riffs. Second half waned but still the best blues album I’ve heard so far. Didn’t think live albums were good but the concert with the crowd and quips makes me feel there and enjoyed it more than a plain album performance.
Peaken av blues. Det er fullt band men de spiller bare samme bluesakkorder i loop. Melodien er ikke så viktig med det virker som om publikum kjenner igjen de ulike sangene. Det er texten og mest av alt følelsene som er viktig.
very cool, the energy of the audience was amazing
This album gets down to business. Everyone does their thing and it's great. It feels right at the moment where jazz and blues were morphing into psyche rock and jam band style.
This is another example of where an album being live is actually a benefit - the crowd getting in to it and the way the guitar is sonically front and center in the recording gives the album a lot more of a concert feeling. That's important for a genre that can get easily bogged down in everything sounding the same. The transitions between songs are all smooth and the rhythm section keeps the groove going from one to another without skipping a beat. One thing that helps this album a lot is that the tempo changes frequently enough from traditional bluesy sway to something a lot more exciting at least a few times. You can easily fall asleep listening to a lot of blues music, but this one keeps you going. The opener, Please Love Me, and Woke Up This Mornin' are all good examples. I dont' think I'd heard B.B. King singing at this early in his career before and he sounds totally different from his later work, probably because he hadn't drank and smoked enough to change his voice yet. I like both but this version is a lot more lively and suits the music on this particular recording way better than his later voice would. The guitar is impeccable of course because he's always been great. This was fun - also not too long, which is alway nice. Maybe the best blues album we've had so far.
I didn’t know much about B.B. King before this. The way the women are screaming on this album makes me feel like he’s a sex god. And I’m fully bought in. Sing it to me B.B.
Yeah pre good blues Honestly It was a good album 💿
The only thing better than a BB King album is a live BB King album. I just wish it was twice as long.
Good album. Great voice
Marvellous album by the King of the Blues.
blues isn't really my thing but i'll rate it Every Day I Have The Blues - 3/5 Sweet Little Angel - 5/5 It's My Own Fault - 4/5 How Blue Can You Get? - 4/5 Please Love Me - 4/5 You Upset Me Baby - 3/5 Worry, Worry - 4/5 Woke Up This Mornin' - 2/5 You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now - 3/5 Help The Poor - 4/5 Average score: 3.6/5 this guy was talented, and i liked this album alright. i'm just not a huge fan of blues as a genre, nor live albums for that matter
Banger yah
Ok
An artist and genre that mostly kind of passes me by. I didn't dislike anything BB's doing here, but it's just not a record I'd ever be excited to listen to again. 2.5/3
Good live album that works. Engaging! 3.5/5
Not my jam.
Good
👍👍
Liked the rhythm but songs felt like copies of one another. Help the poor favourite track
Another case of "this is probably good for what it is, but I hate the genre, so no amount of perfection is going to sway me" kinda thing.
Oh lovely! Another live album! And this one is blues too!
La inceput a parut plictisitor . Apoi melodia 2 ,3 a schimbat parerea
A good blues album. Lots of verve and energ, but not too original. 3.4
Album is good but music requires a specific mood to be in.
This, by genre, is music that bores me but it's a) the best of its kind and b) a spendid soundtrack to cleaning some shit in Powerwash Simulator.
Album 1. Let's give it a listen and see how it it goes!
Some great blues!
не мое
Nice swingy jazzy album loved the soul in the music and the voice
The King of Blues in front of a crowd is a fun experience. Favorite Track: "How Blue Can You Get?"
good
I'd never really clicked with BB King before, because i found his style was a well-trodden path that made it not that stimulating, but this album is amazing. Blistering playing, great chat between the songs. I feel like you can hear a lot of this influence in the guitar playing and lyrics on one of my favourite albums of all time: Fleetwood Mac by Peter Green's fleetwood mac. Outstanding. Will definitely listen a lot more.
I’m not a fan of live albums at the best of times, so it doesn’t help that the audience is way too loud in the mix here.
Very smooth sounding.
Love the banter, blues can be a bit repetitive but bb king is an insane player and so charming that it never gets old.
61/1089 - This is the best blues album I've heard. All the songs are structurally pretty identical but feel different enough and nicely varied because of the different tempos and textural choices of the musicians.
Watched him in 04-06, great memories. Got to witness a legend. Just don’t listen to the blues like I use to.
Love the energy and fun this album captures from the live performance. Even though I'm not the biggest blues fan, this album is a blast to listen to. Even a pretty varied set and sound for a blues show. A great all around listen with smooth energy. Top tracks: Sweet Little Angel; It's My Own Fault; Worry, Worry
Masterful, classic, tight.
Classic blues
This would be good music to just Have On. The back half of this album was particularly enjoyable. I liked the audience’s response to certain moments; I don’t know that I’ve ever actually appreciated a live album in full, but there’s something interesting about being a secondary audience. I think this would get even better on subsequent listens. Listen #3: it does get even better. Maybe all albums will take a few listens?
Pretty great
imádom a közönséget a régi live albumokon!
Meh. It's like one long song.
5/10 I don't like live albums. I really want to like it but... 3-27-2025
Straight-to-the-point, a live album full of energy. A great introduction to one of the best guitar players of all time.
To learn that BB King has 15+ kids is no surprise after hearing this album. Baby making music ya’ll.
Obviously an iconic artist but this album did not really resonate with me.
Look, BB King is a legend. And I loved learning and playing blues when I learned guitar. But I don't think I've purposefully put on a blues record in years. Just not for me.
i will be honest i don’t know if i gave it a fair chance
Wow. That would have been fun to see live.
Into it.
I love B.B. King. The medley of Sweet Little Angel to It’s My Own Fault to How Blue Can You Get is tremendous. Loses a star for monotony. That’s the thing about a genre built around playing the exact same chord progression on almost every song.
I like how the live recording creates a sense of being there. It sounds fun.
Wow
i’d love to join the throngs of loud whistling fans of bb king
Not only one of the greatest live blues albums of all time, but also one of the greatest blues albums and greatest live albums of all time. Absolutely essential.
Great live album
I had a professor once who talked about the nature of the blues. There is blues made for two audiences. Traditional blues, played culturally for black audiences is all about the lyrics. When artists crossed over to play for predominantly white crowds, they found the audience didn’t care much about the lyrics and instead it became all solos. BB King, through no fault of his own, is the latter. The Chess brothers found him, polished him up for the white world, and that was it. There’s just a lot of better blues out there.
I like the acoustic blues plenty- recorded in the 30s and 60s- all favorites. the Mississippi juke joint stuff recorded in the 90s is fire too. but this boogie-woogie Chicago style blues rock like here--- can't stand the stuff. just like sandpaper in my ears. there's no blues emotion here- just whisps of the form- it's overworked and underformed. hate it. though I don't disdain BB King himself- so it can have one extra star out of respect.
Good
Vibe
This was better than I expected. I’m not much for blues music, I usually find it boring. I expected this just to be a guy playing guitar and singing. He had a full band with horns and everything, and as always, plus one for horns. That said, even with the extra instruments it was still dull at times.
Good but no standouts
I like jazz more than blues i gotta say. Stroong 3 tho
BEST SONGS: - How Blue Can You Get? - You Upset Me Baby - Help the Poor
7/10. Fun stuff. I think the crowd threw me for a loop at times.
Kinda short for a live album but very very good 8/10
Favorite Track: Sweet Little Angel
Cool, very cool
What a fantastic blues album, makes me wish concerts were still this fun today, fucking incredible music
Super good not my type of music though
Not a fan of the style.
[3]
Very enjoyable, positively surprised
Have never truly loved Blues, but this is probably about as good as it can get, for me at least.
The crowd makes me excited just hearing the intro to each song. Nice loose blues!
Used to think i just didn’t like the blues since most of the time it felt repetitive and uninspiring, but i genuinely LOVED this. It was jazzier and the live elements and the audience responses made the album feel more cohesive and interesting. This is what i signed up for x
Best live album I’ve heard so far. Good music, great vocals, and nice and short.
Enjoyed this. Simpsons: Yes
Pleasant enough, but nothing particularly memorable for me. Maybe need to listen to more blues music to really appreciate it.
It was ok. Solid mid table