Rare B.B. King Recording Surfaces from Zev Feldman’s Deep Digs
Featuring a Seven-Piece Band's First-Ever Record Appearance
In France: Live at the 1977 Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival
by B. B. King
Label: Deep Digs
Recorded live at the Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival in Nancy, France on Oct. 7, 1977
Release Date: Nov. 29, 2024
Deep Digs Music, led by Zev Feldman, has unveiled a treasure for Blues enthusiasts with the release of In France: Live at the 1977 Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival, a previously unheard live recording by the legendary B.B. King. Set to drop on Nov. 29 as a limited two-LP release for RSD Black Friday and a two-CD edition on Dec. 6, this album captures King at a pivotal moment in his career. Recorded during his fifth visit to France, this electrifying performance showcases the Blues icon with his powerful seven-piece band, making their debut on record. The release is especially significant as it marks an undocumented phase following the disbanding of King’s classic group, Sonny Freeman and the Kingpins. This recording offers a rare glimpse into King’s live work from the late '70s, featuring extended solos and dynamic performances of staples like “Sweet Black Angel” and “It’s Just a Matter of Time,” all while reaffirming his stature as a master of the Blues. Mastered on 180-gram vinyl, the set includes insightful liner notes and vintage photos that further enhance this essential document of B.B. King’s legacy.
Personnel
B.B. King • guitar, vocals
Walter King • tenor sax
Ronnie Wiliams III • alto sax
Eddie Rowe • trumpet
James Toney • organ
Milton Hopkins • guitar
Joe Turner • bass
Calep Emphrey, Jr. • drums
Photo by Jean-Marc Birraux / DALLE
B. B. King at the Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival in Nancy, France on October 7, 1977.