Blu-ray Specs
Video: 1080i High Definition
Audio: LPCM Stereo / Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS HD Master Audio
One of the greatest Blues artists of all time, B.B. King has been recording albums and touring since 1949. Over the years he has been one of the most influential guitarist and song writers of all time. To his credit, B.B. has released over 50 albums and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980. Aside from his music career, he has also appeared in both television and movies predominately as himself. This performance was taken at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1993 when he was at age 68, and he was energetic and charismatic as always.
As the performance begins, Lucille, B.B,’s guitar, sits on stage next to an empty chair. The band begins to play and instrumental set of 3 works which seem to blend into one another. Then B.B. King is introduced to the awaiting fans with glorious applause. This beloved master of the Blues is able to command such an authority when he takes the stage and enthused fans are anxious to hear the sweet sounds of Lucille come across the airwaves. Always the showman, he delivers such a range of talent on the guitar as well as his ability to move and groove. His singing style is like no other and is so enjoyable to watch and listen to. Some of his songs just burst with feeling and soul, such as “Since I met You Baby”, “Why I Sing the Blues” and my favorite of this disc, “The Thrill Is Gone”. Only available on the Blu-ray version, 3 songs were filmed at the 2003 Montreux Jazz Festival as a bonus. These 3 songs consist of “Why I Sing The Blues”, “When Love Comes To Town” and “The Thrill Is Gone”. Seeing Mr. King perform was such a thrill especially since he was age 78 at the time.
Watching this dominate man of the Blues in action is a great testament to his long lived career and tribute to the persona he so emulates. Watching a performance from a time in which I wasn’t interested in a vast array of music styles has been captured in the essence of Blu-ray and really hits the mark of quality of both audio and visual aspects. As colorful a man as Mr. King is to watch him in HD is a true delight as he works the crowd. The audio transition to the newly formatted form of digital mastery is a great sensation for the ears and very precise tune in which encompasses the feel of the Blues.
This very emotional and classy man emulates the persona of the essence of Blues music. As I watch his performance, I could see and feel his love of the craft he does so well. I felt as though I was invited to watch as a back home jam session was in progress, well aside from the flashy get ups. It is dynamic artists like B.B. King who drive the craft of music to new levels due to the mark he has made on the music industry. This was a terrific venture in both art and culture to showcase such a talented man and worth a peek into the world of the Blues.
Reviewed by Michael Albaugh
