Customer Reviews
Live At The Regal 
2008-04-07
B.B. King-Live At The Regal *****
Recorded live at the Regal in Chicago in 1964 this went on to become what is now widely considered the all time greatest live blues album. This is rightly deserved as this is in fact the greatest live blues album of all time.
King's single note guitar lines are crisp as ever, and his vocals are beyond comparison. Aside from being obviously his best live recording, Live At The Regal is the best recording of King period. This is with out a doubt the best version of 'Sweet Little Angel' ever released. The essential version is more correct. 'Every Day I Have The Blues' and 'Its My Own Fault' are among some of the most inspired performances ever caught on tape. The albums closer 'Help The Poor' is just gut-wrenching. Pure bliss!
This performance is pure electric. With every passing listen to Live At The Regal I still get chills all down my spine, and if you ask me that is the mark of a fantastic album after all these years and listens.
The KIng at his best 2007-04-02
As a Memphis native, I have heard B.B. on many occasions. Never have I seen or hear him play with the same passion he did here in 1964. The quality of the recording is outstanding, with Lucille giving the center-stage on many occasions. The clarity and quality is amazing for a forty year old recording. This is the live B.B. King recording to buy. The Cook County Jail performance from 1971 is a close second, but the quality is not nearly as good.
b.b. king at the top of his form. 2007-03-13
recorded live at the regal theatre, chicago in 1964, this is generally considered b.b. king's best album, and deservedly so. this is simply one of the great urban blues albums of all-time. b.b.'s singing is as powerful and nuanced on this recording as it was ever to be, before or after. his guitar playing is at a peak of expressive beauty here, far more tasteful and beyond the technic, at this point, of what any rock and roll guitarist was yet capable of. yes, the rock and rollers would improve greatly in time, but this was 1964, and King was the undisputed guitar king. a fine horn section, it should be mentioned, also graces the album. the whole affair is magical. a great night in recording history.
A must have for any blues collection 2006-12-28
BB King's Live at the Regal is a recording of a great show performed at the Regal Theater in Chicago in 1965. Considered among many, including myself, as his greatest album its a must for any blues collection. King is at the top of his form and you can hear it in his guitar playing. His band gives their all and, importantly, the song selections are magnificent.
Its a great recording of a great performance. Its also a perfect introduction to the blues for neophytes as well. Highly recommended.
Regally Overrated 
2006-06-14
I can't believe the touch of B.B. King. I enjoy his playing immensely. I know this album gets buried in accolades. But I don't like it. The quality is poor and, differing from other's opinions, the crowd noise takes away from the music. B.B. said, in so many words, that Live at the Regal was far from his choice as his best recording. Typically, he said he wouldn't argue with success--and left it at that. There are so many good albums by B.B. You can't go wrong for $4.65 for the "Ultimate Collection". Sure it doesn't have them all--but it has quite a few of his great songs, including a few from Live at the Regal. I would steer clear of this selection. Or I'll send you mine for free!
You Really Have To Hate Music To Not Like This 2006-05-12
Heralded as one of the greatest live blues albums ever recorded, this set catches the singer-guitarist as his star was in ascent: in 1964 playing Chicago's answer to Harlem's Apollo Theater--the Regal. King's performance is visceral. He sings so hard that gravel flies even in his clearest high notes. And his trademark single-note guitar lines are sharp and steely, matching his voice with trembling vigor. He offers early hits like "How Blue Can You Get," "Worry, Worry," and "You Upset Me Baby" to what's essentially his adopted hometown crowd (by his own account, King had already played the theater hundreds of times). They give him a hero's welcome. In fact, the audience's screaming enthusiasm is distracting. But rarely has a love-fest of this magnitude between a performer and fans been documented. --
Ted Drozdowski
A Blues Timemachine 2006-05-11
Absolutely one of the finest live albums of all times. I bought this album because it was listed as one of the top 100 guitar albums of all time in Guitar Player Magazine. You get lightning in a bottle here with BB King at the height of his powers. The audience is alive and you can feel the young woman hyperventilating and swooning to BB King's rendition of some blues classics. His voice is flawless, still velvety smooth, especially when compared with later live albums by BB King. There is the perfect mixture of BB King's introductions or setups for each tune, guitar, vocals and audience reaction. The sound is immaculate, balanced and clear. His guitar playing is efficient and his timing is perfect. It makes you wonder why more recent "live albums" lack the spontaneity and quality found in this recording. The only regret is the album is not longer.
Got BLUES? 2006-03-23
B.B. King was, is, and always will be a helluva performer. Take it from me - I've seen him twice (in his later years, mind you!), and he hasn't failed me yet! This is probably his most popular album, and I'm not surprised why. There are killer cuts aplenty, the best being Sweet Little Angel, How Blue Can You Get, You Upset Me Baby, Worry Worry and Help the Poor. His guitar's at its usual high point. The band is great. Plus, the stories are HILARIOUS!!! If you don't have this album, I don't know where you've been. Rush out, and pick it up. Then get tickets for the next B.B. King concert. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.
It's worth noting that B.B. recently retired from touring - damn shame, but come on, the guy was 80 when he stopped. So if you're a fan of the blues and haven't seen the guy live, do the next best thing: buy Live at the Regal.
B.B At His Best 2005-10-16
Coming from a listener with a broad scope of musical preferences, Blues has always been a multi-faceted genre which can be broken down into the categories:Soulful Blues, Drinking Blues and Guitar Blues. "B.B King - Live At The Regal" is one of those recordings that just happens to capture all three.
This recording is dear to my heart as I can remember far back as first or second grade when my grandmother (God Bless) used to play this on 8-track. She used to love herself some Riley "Blues Brother" King. This recording ALWAYS seemed to be in the player when my cousins and I would come over to visit and rest assured, You WILL hear it before you left to go home.
At that time, Being the young naive kid that I was, I remember saying that I hated it and that it was old folks music. All grown up now, In an age where real music is practically unheard of in terms of what these young artists of today release on CDs, I have a newfound respect for real stuff like this. So instead of sitting around burning your brain cells trying to understand what this new generation is calling itself creating, You have decided to come to one of the first sources for good old fasioned real music....The Blues.
In my opinion, "BB King Live At The Regal" is one of Mr. King's best recordings and with myself not being a big fan of live albums, This is one of those rare live pieces that captures the essence of what a live recording should sound like. Maybe not so much in terms of the musicianship but the overall performance of those involved. The arrangements were put together nicely & the musicians were all in a very tight vibe on this album and whoever was on the mixing board did an excellent job of capturing this essence. BB's pickin' and crooning mixed with the superb playing by the band make this a wonderful place to start for the blues or BB King enthusiast.
It sounds as if it was made in a tasteful nightclub full of grown people who wanted to hear good music while having a good time. The ladies were screaming and the gentlemen were cheering and BB was playing at his best. The only gripe I have about this disc is that it is very short; which was typical considering the age and time that it was made but still essential and a solid lesson for anyone interested in Blues (especially Blues Guitar). I recommend getting this and BB's "Live In Cook County Jail". They both are live albums and both have some of the same songs on them but they were done in a different way and should still be heard.
Good choice if you get this one.
Not what I expected and a bit over-rated. 
2005-10-04
From the other reviews on this site I was led to believe this is some fantastic CD and found out to be otherwise. I would not rate it as excellent but it is worthwhile.
I admire BB King's virtuosity but on this CD you will not hear lot of his instrumental work but lot of loud blues singing.
On some of the tracks the emotional intensity of BB King's singing does come across with realism, therefore in this respect it is a fine recording with good transparency and separation.
On some of the tracks BB King's guitar comes from the right channel and his voice is centered.
I would agree with some of the other reviewers that there is lot of singing and not enough instrumental solos.
The base on this recording is vague.
During the recording BB King makes references to how great his band is but you will not hear who they are. He probably did introduce them to the audience but it never got on the recording.
For under $10 it's an above average buy but not excellent. In the liners for this CD you will read that even BB King himself was puzzled why people made so much of the recording.
