Live in Japan (CD - 1999)

Personnel: B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Earl Turbinton (alto saxophone); Louis Hubert (tenor saxophone); John Browning (trumpet); Joseph Burton (trombone); Ron Levy (piano); Wilton Freeman (bass); Sonny Freeman (drums).

Recorded live at Sankei Hall, Tokyo, Japan on March 4 & 7, 1971. Originally released on ABC-Japan (841). Includes liner notes by Andy McKaie.

Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (MCA Music Media Studio, North Hollywood, California).

Personnel: B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Earl Turbinton (alto saxophone); Louis Hubert (tenor saxophone); John Browning (trumpet); Joseph Burton (trombone); Ron Levy (piano); Sonny Freeman (drums).

Liner Note Author: Andy McKaie.

Recording information: Sankei Hall, Tokyo, Japan (03/04/1971-03/07/1971).

It took 28 years, but in 1999 Live in Japan finally became available in the U.S. Recorded at Sankei Hall in Tokyo on March 4 and 7, 1971, Live in Japan was originally released as a two-LP set in Japan. At the time, King's superb Live in Cook County Jail was a respectable seller for ABC, and the label also planned to release In London -- so ABC felt that because a fair amount of live King albums were coming out in the U.S., it was best to release the Sankei Hall recording only in Japan. But many of King's American fans wanted it anyway, and collectors went out of their way to find imported copies of the double LP. Parts of Live in Japan did come out on various U.S. releases, but it was not released in its entirety in the U.S until this 1999 reissue. Backed by many of the same players heard on Live in Cook County Jail, King is in excellent form on spirited, gutsy performances of "The Thrill Is Gone" and "Sweet Sixteen" as well as Sonny Boy Williamson's "Eyesight to the Blind," Leon Russell's "Hummingbird," and Peter Chatman's "Every Day I Have the Blues." The instrumentals "Japanese Boogie" and "Jamming at Sankei Hall" give the band a chance to let loose and improvise, and "Lucille" (King's name for his guitar) gets in some passionate, inspired solos. Although Live at the Regal and Live in Cook County Jail are King's most essential live albums, Live in Japan is a fine CD that his fans will definitely want. ~ Alex Henderson

Live albums are often disappointing. Such is not the case with LIVE IN JAPAN. Blues legend King was at the height of his popularity at the time of this 1971 performance. "The Thrill Is Gone" had been a smash hit the previous year, and his albums COMPLETELY WELL, INDIANOLA MISSISSIPPI SEEDS, and LIVE AT COOK COUNTY JAIL had sold extremely well. This live set was recorded with the same crack band that played on COOK COUNTY, and the performance here overflows with a palpable exuberance.

The interplay between King and his backing players is wildly energetic and often spontaneous, as the impromptu jam "Japanese Boogie," "Jamming At Sankei Hall," and "Hikari #88" will attest. As always, King's trademark fretboard chops and soulful phrasing are outstanding, and his singing on such gems as "How Blue Can You Get," "Hummingbird," and, of course, "The Thrill Is Gone" seems especially heartfelt. A dynamite shot of classic blues and a top-notch live set. minimize