Details

Field of Interest

Jazz

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

45 mins

Ensemble

Gene Harris & the Philip Morris Superband

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Jazz Blues

Label

Universal Classics & Jazz

Performer

B. B. King, 1925-2015, George Bohanon, 1937-, Ray Brown, 1926-2002, Kenny Burrell, 1931-, Jeff Clayton, 1954-, Jerry Dodgion, 1932-, Harold Jones, Gene Harris, 1933-2000, Urbie Green, 1926-, Harry Edison, 1915-1999, Paul Faulise, Robin Eubanks, 1955-, Plas Johnson, Jr., 1939-, James Morrison, 1954-, Ralph Moore, 1956-

UPC (Physical)

00011105963725

Release Date

1991-05-07

Review

There are both good and bad points to this CD. Of the latter, the Phillip Morris "Super Band" is confined to background work with -- other than a few spots for Plas Johnson's tenor -- no soloists being heard from. As an ensemble, the all-star orchestra performs well, but is essentially anonymous. Also, despite the backing, B.B. King does not attempt to play jazz, a wasted opportunity. But, switching to the good points, Live at the Apollo is an excellent example of a strong B.B. King live performance. Somehow he always makes his combination of blues and familiar hits sound fresh. With a liberal amount of space set aside for his guitar solos, B.B. is in top form throughout the well-paced set, which is far superior to most of his overproduced studio sessions for MCA. Even if the big band is mostly irrelevant, this CD is recommended for B.B. King's singing and playing. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Subject

Jazz, American Music, Music & Performing Arts, American Studies, Vocal Jazz, Blues, Jazz Vocal, Blues

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Jazz Vocal, Blues