B.B. King: The Montreux Years – Unreleased Live Recordings from 1982-2000
Published · Updated
Cited: The Black Chronicle, https://www.thebluesmagazine.com/, Music-News.com
TL;DR
BMG has announced B.B. King: The Montreux Years, a new collection of live recordings capturing the legendary bluesman across his historic appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Arriving on November 20, 2026—what would have been King’s 101st birthday—the album compiles restored performances from nine of his 23 Montreux shows between 1982 and 2000. Nearly every track makes its official debut, offering fans rare insight into King’s evolving artistry at one of Europe’s most iconic festivals.
Why now
BMG has announced B.B. King: The Montreux Years, a new collection of live recordings capturing the legendary bluesman across his historic appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Arriving on November 20, 2026—what would have been King’s 101st birthday—the album compiles restored performances from nine of his 23 Montreux shows between 1982 and 2000. Nearly every track makes its official debut, offering fans rare insight into King’s evolving artistry at one of Europe’s most iconic festivals.
Agree / conflict
Release Date: November 20, 2026, coinciding with what would have been B.B. King’s 101st birthday. Archival Value: All but one recording are previously unreleased; restorations mastered by Tony Cousins at Metropolis Studios. Festival Legacy: B.B. King performed at Montreux 23 times across four decades; this collection draws from 1982–2000.
Takeaway
For collectors: This is a must-have due to the high proportion of unreleased material and the quality of restoration. For new listeners: The album provides a live tour of King’s classic repertoire in a festival setting—more dynamic than studio recordings. For blues enthusiasts: The Montreux Years series is a valuable archival resource; this installment adds to the legacy of one of the most influential blues artists.
B.B. King first played the Montreux Jazz Festival at the invitation of founder Claude Nobs, and the two developed a friendship that spanned decades. The new collection captures King at different points in his career—from the intimate Casino Montreux in the 1980s to the larger Auditorium Stravinski in the 1990s and 2000. Tracks like “Guess Who” (1982), “Rock Me Baby” (1984), and “The Thrill Is Gone” (1990) sit alongside rarer performances such as “Blues Boys Tune” (1995) and “All Over Again” (1993).
The Montreux Years series launched in 2021, mining the Claude Nobs Collection—over 4,000 live recordings inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Previous subjects include Nina Simone, Etta James, and Muddy Waters. For B.B. King fans, this release offers more than a greatest-hits compilation: it’s a time capsule of an artist who remained a festival fixture for four decades.
FAQ
When will 'B.B. King: The Montreux Years' be released?
The album is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026, on what would have been B.B. King’s 101st birthday.
Which performances are included in the collection?
The 2LP vinyl edition includes tracks from eight Montreux shows between 1982 and 2000; the 2CD and HD digital editions add four more recordings from 1989, 1990, and 1991.
Are the recordings previously available?
Nearly all tracks are making their official release debut. The only exception is 'All Over Again' from 1993, which had been released previously.
What formats are available?
The album comes in 2LP vinyl, 2CD digisleeve package, and HD digital audio. Physical editions include rare photographs and liner notes by B.B. King biographer Daniel de Visé.
Why is this collection significant?
It documents B.B. King’s long relationship with the Montreux Jazz Festival across different stages of his career, offering previously unheard live performances and restored audio quality.
Sources
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