New BBKing Release
Two-LP Set and LP 2CD Set Now Available that Unearths Exciting Shows by the “King of the Blues” at the Height of His Powers from Germany (1968) and Sweden (1973) and Released in Cooperation with The BB King Music Company.
As the world celebrates the 100-year centenary of B.B. King (1925–2025), a remarkable treasure has emerged from the archives — two historic live performances from the “King of the Blues,” captured at the height of his power and preserved for modern audiences for the first time.
Broadcasting the Blues: Live from Germany to Sweden marks the first official release of these two electrifying concerts, originally broadcast on European television at a time when B.B. King was rising into international stardom.
These recordings — previously unseen and unheard in their full form — are more than archival finds. They are a living portrait of a young, hungry, masterful B.B. King shaping the future of blues before global audiences even realized what was coming.
A Century in the Making
The new collection features:
🇩🇪 Germany — January 19, 1968
Recorded in Cologne for the television program Swing In and broadcast on WDR, this intimate studio performance captures B.B. King and a tight, youthful band playing mere feet from the audience. The result is explosive, raw, and revealing — a snapshot of a blues giant in transition, just two years before “The Thrill Is Gone” would make him a household name.
🇸🇪 Sweden — October 29, 1973
Filmed at Stockholms Konserthus for SVT, this later performance showcases a more expanded musical vision. With a nine-piece ensemble including horns and a second guitarist, the set reveals the sophistication, polish, and soul that defined B.B. King’s 1970s era.
Both recordings have been fully restored from the original tapes, mastered with care, and are being released together for the first time.
A Landmark Collaboration
This historic release is made possible by:
The B.B. King Music Company
TBC Group LLC / Vassal Benford (Executive Production)
Reelin’ In The Years Productions, steward of the world’s largest library of music footage
Zev Feldman’s new imprint, Time Traveler Recordings, dedicated to rare archival discoveries
Restoration and mastering were completed by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab, ensuring these performances sound as powerful today as they did in their original studios.
The 2-CD edition includes an expanded booklet featuring:
Rare, never-before-published photographs by Philippe Gras
Newly commissioned liner notes by blues historian Jean Buzelin
An exclusive interview with modern guitar icon Derek Trucks, reflecting on B.B. King’s influence and humanity
Every track in this collection is previously unissued.
Why This Release Matters
Broadcasting the Blues launches Time Traveler Recordings with a bold mission:
to bring lost, unheard, and historically significant music back into the world.
This debut perfectly embodies that vision.
It’s a time capsule of B.B. King’s emotional power, musical precision, and unmistakable presence — reaching across decades to remind us why his influence remains unmatched.
Following the success of B.B. King in France (1977) — which reached No. 1 on the Billboard US Blues Chart in December 2024 — this release continues a powerful resurgence of archival B.B. King projects.
Personnel & Performances
WDR • Cologne, Germany — January 19, 1968
B.B. King — guitar, vocals
Lee Gatlin — tenor sax
Moses Thomas — trumpet
James Toney — Hammond organ
Sonny Freeman — drums
SVT • Stockholm, Sweden — October 29, 1973
B.B. King — guitar, vocals
Bobby Forte — tenor sax
Cato Walker III — alto sax
Lewis Hubert — baritone sax
Eddie Rower — trumpet
Milton Hopkins — rhythm guitar
Ron Levy — piano
Wilbert Freeman — bass
Sonny Freeman — drums
(A full track listing is included below.)
Track Listing
Germany (WDR) — January 19, 1968
Night Life
Every Day I Have the Blues
How Blue Can You Get
That’s Wrong Little Mama
Sweet Sixteen
Rock Me Baby
Don’t Answer the Door
The Jungle
I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water
Sweden (SVT) — October 29, 1973
To Know You Is To Love You
Instrumental
Walking Dr. Bill
I Got Some Outside Help (I Don’t Really Need)
The Thrill Is Gone
Guess Who
Just A Little Love
(All tracks previously unreleased.)