Summary
This DVD is very similar to the SRO session which came out about three years ago and it was filmed about the time of this set, the early 1990s, when BB was still touring a lot and was still at the top of his game. Like all of the Montreux Series the sound, camera work and production are excellent.
Another interesting thing about this performance is that BB stands up throughout it and it really chronicles the last years of this Blues great's live shows (This is also when I saw him last in Australia). Just as a matter of interest, the set and band are very similar to the "BB Live" set that came out just about two years ago, filmed at BB's Blues Club in Memphis (and the one in Nashville).
This concert was filmed in 1993 and BB is still in top form. The set is an extensive catalogue of his hits and live numbers. The band includes many members that have played with BB for many, many years. Foremost is the great James Toney an extraordinary organ player and keyboardist who just died in 2007. He was with BB since his famous PBS Jazz Casual session in 1968. Also prominent is the excellent bass player Michael Doster. His nephew and sax player Walter King is the Musical Director and he also is a great musician. This band is impeccable!
The set list is very comprehensive. It includes a great band "warm up" with the "Two I Shoot Blues" which showcases the great musicianship of BB's band. Highlights of the set list include Louis Jordan's "Caldonia", Ray Charles' "Let The Good Times Roll", the old standard and favourite "Why I Sing The Blues", a newer offering "Blues Man" and of course the seminal "The Thrill Is Gone", always a favourite and always a bit different. This DVD is 99 minutes long and , while it doesn't say it was filmed in HD on the package, on the end credits it does say that, like the Albert Collin's show, it is in fact in HD, the picture is incredibly clear and sharp. And sound is excellent. I would rank the SRO session and this as BB's two best DVD releases.
A must have purchase for classic Blues Lovers.
