Never-before-heard B.B. King live recordings set for release

B.B. King will be the focus of a new installment in The Montreux Years series featuring previously unreleased live recordings from the blues legend’s appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

B.B. King: The Montreux Years will be released November 20 via BMG. The collection draws from nine of King’s 23 appearances at the festival, with performances recorded between 1982 and 2000.

The CD and digital editions feature recordings from all nine selected appearances, while the vinyl edition includes material from eight shows. The collection will be available on 2LP vinyl with printed inner sleeves, a 2CD digisleeve with booklet, and HD digital formats.

The recordings were restored and newly mastered from the original tapes by Tony Cousins at Metropolis Studios in London. All but one of the recordings are receiving their first official release.

The first single, “Early in the Mornin’,” is out now. Recorded during King’s 2000 Montreux performance, the song pays tribute to one of his musical influences, Louis Jordan. An accompanying video features footage from King’s 2000 festival appearance.

B.B. King: The Montreux Years was created in collaboration with the B.B. King Estate and Montreux Jazz Festival team under license from Montreux Sounds. The release also features rare and previously unseen photographs along with liner notes from B.B. King biographer Daniel de Visé, assisted by King’s longtime bassist Michael Doster.

King, born Riley B. King in Mississippi on September 16, 1925, became one of the most influential blues musicians of the 20th century. With his distinctive guitar style and famed Gibson guitar Lucille, King influenced generations of musicians, including Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.

During his career, King won 15 Grammy Awards and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Blues Hall of Fame.

King developed a long relationship with the Montreux Jazz Festival and its founder, Claude Nobs, eventually appearing at the festival 23 times.

The new collection includes “Guess Who” from King’s 1982 appearance, “Rock Me Baby” from 1984, “Caldonia” from 1987 and “The Thrill Is Gone” from 1990. Later performances include “All Over Again,” “Blues Boys Tune” and “Stormy Monday” from 1995, along with “Early in the Mornin’” from 2000.

The 2CD and HD digital editions feature four additional recordings, including a 1991 performance of “Let The Good Times Roll.”

The Montreux Years series launched in 2021 using recordings from the extensive Montreux Jazz Festival archives. Previous editions have featured artists including Nina Simone, Etta James, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Roberta Flack, John McLaughlin and Chick Corea.

Tracklisting:

2LP

Side A

1. All Over Again (Live at Auditorium Stravinski 1993)*
2. Ain’t Nobody Home (Live at Casino Montreux 1990)
3. Blues Boys Tune (Live at Auditorium Stravinski 1995)

Side B

1. Blues In A (Live at Casino Montreux 1989)
2. The Thrill Is Gone (Live at Casino Montreux 1990)
3. When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around) (Live at Casino Montreux 1990)

Side C

1. Early In The Mornin’ (Live at Auditorium Stravinski 2000)
2. Caldonia (Live at Casino Montreux 1987)
3. Guess Who (Live at Casino Montreux 1982)

Side D

1. Rock Me Baby (Live at Casino Montreux 1984)
2. Stormy Monday (Live at Auditorium Stravinski 1995)

2CD

CD One

1. All Over Again (Live at Auditorium Stravinski 1993)*
2. Ain’t Nobody Home (Live at Casino Montreux 1990)
3. Blues Boys Tune (Live at Auditorium Stravinski 1995)
4. Blues In A (Live at Casino Montreux 1989)
5. The Thrill Is Gone (Live at Casino Montreux 1990)
6. When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around) (Live at Casino Montreux 1990)
7. You Know I Love You (Live at Casino Montreux 1989)**

CD Two

1. Early In The Mornin’ (Live at Auditorium Stravinski 2000)
2. Caldonia (Live at Casino Montreux 1987)
3. Guess Who (Live at Casino Montreux 1982)
4. Rock Me Baby (Live at Casino Montreux 1984)
5. Stormy Monday (Live at Auditorium Stravinski 1995)
6. Into The Night (Live at Casino Montreux 1991)**
7. Go On (Live at Casino Montreux 1990)**
8. Let The Good Times Roll (Live at Casino Montreux 1991)**

HD Digital: tracklisting as per 2CD

* Previously released ** 2CD and HD digital only