Customer Reviews
The Best. - By: RUEBEN AMOS RUNACRE, 03 Jul 2007 
This is simply the best value BB King cd on the market. Brilliant!
Brilliant Album - By: , 08 Jan 2005 I bought this at the request of my teenage son - I was somewhat surprised as it is not his usual taste, but he absolutely loves it, telling me it is a brilliant album, he now wants more of this type of album. This is good news for my ears as up to now he has been into very heavy metal.
Fair Summation Of His ABC/MCA Period - By: Laurence Upton, 19 Nov 2004 
As this collection of previously-released material does not go back beyond 1964, & BB King's first single came outin 1949, the claim that this represents his definitive greatest hits is a little contentious.
However, although BB King featured heavilyin the R&B charts throughout his highly successful early years, it is a surprising fact that, apart from two appearances at the bottom end of the US Top 100in 1957, he had not been troubled by the hit parade before 1964.
In 1962 BB King signed with ABC & appeared thereafter on their ABC Paramount, Bluesway & ABC labels. After they were taken over by MCA, his records appeared on that label, & these recordings are all taken from these periods, the most recent being Playin' With My Friends, with Robert Cray, taken from 1993's Blues Summit album. He had released little after that at the time of this compilation's releasein 1999, instead concentrating on touring & performing.
Most of the songs chosen here were A-sides of singles, although some of these arein their lengthier album format. Quite a few others are taken from live performances, thus representing some earlier material recorded for other labels as well as showcasing contemporary materialin an electric live setting.
BB King achieved his greatest mainstream success during this period & the price we have to pay is that alongside genuinely thrilling & innovative pieces such as The Thrill Is Gone there are a few too many bland-outs & celebrity guest appearances from Gary Moore, Leon Russell, Bobby "Blue" Bland & Dr John, which perhaps are not needed on a "best of" from an artist of the statuure of BB King. The U2 collaboration When Love Comes To Town was a Top Ten singlein the UK & so its inclusion was mandatory, & it is a great record.
Now nearing eighty years of age, BB King is the greatest living blues legend, & this is a fair summation of his ABC/MCA years, if such a mighty output can be reduced to just two discs (it can't). If you enjoy this you owe it to yourself to go on to buy at least one companion piece representing his earlier years on the RPM & Kent/Crown labels
He really is the king of the blues! - By: , 16 Mar 2000 Having been fortunate enough to attend many of BB Kings concertsin Glasgow & Edinburgh, I always wished that he would do an album such as this one.I have numerous King albums containing different songs, but this really is one single collection of his lifes work. The album has his signature on the front under the words "this is music I enjoyed playing" & I can assure you it is music you cannot fail to enjoy hearing. From track 1on disc 1 "The Thrill is gone" to track 18 on disc 2 "Rock me baby" I was enthralled by this ageless masters talents. The album features Bobby Bland, U2, Bob Cray & Gary Moore & includes a number of live recordings of his best work. I cannot commend this album highly enough, it will become a collectors item I'm sure.
