Blu-ray Review: B.B. King - Live At Montreux 1993 - Page 2

Although no fault of the source, there are a few songs where over-eager lighting designers deliver muddy color washes on the band members. But overall this is a very good looking concert that has received an excellent transfer. If all the tracks had looked as good as "Ain't Nobody Home," it would have been near flawless for a live shoot.

Fortunately, the audio for this release is nearly flawless, as the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is masterfully mixed and noticably full. Although rather front-heavy for a 5.1 concert, solos and band accents do travel to the rear channels. But overall the performance is so good, and the balance of the recording so favorable, that it's difficult not to simply get lost in the show. The range of this uncompressed track is admirable as you'll pick up the subtlest nuances of a very skilled and energetic performance.

Bonus Materials

The disc contains a Blu-ray exclusive bonus section: three songs performed by B.B. King and his band at Montreux in 2006 (HD, 15:02). The brief set finds King older and less animated, but still with musical chops and enthusiasm that would shame a performer twenty years younger. Songs for this set include "Why I Sing The Blues", the Bono-penned tune "When Love Comes To Town" and "Guess Who." The video for this section looks noticably crisp, with vivid colors and razor-sharp detail, showing that Montreux is as dedicated as ever to preserving its musical library.

The bonus section also serves to highlight just how good the '93 performance by King really is. It has a raw energy that is noticeably tempered in the newer performances. And while that's to be expected for a performer now well into his 80s, it makes the prior performance of someone barely hanging on to their 60s all the more spectacular. The man simply doesn't know how to not perform, and this video shows a seasoned veteran in his prime.

Conclusion

This is an all-around excellent concert video. A blues legend at the height of his powers, backed by an inspired and energetic band, performing in front of a large and enthusiastic audience, preserved with rock solid video and audio transfers. There's really nothing to fault in this package. If you are at all interested in blues music, or even just good live concerts, B.B. King Live At Montreux 1993 comes highly recommended.

Article Author: David R Perry

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