BB KING- At Sing Sing Prison (1972)

Release Date: 6/16/2009
Running Time: 81 minutes
Original Release Date: 1972

In 1972, legendary bluesman B.B. King joined forces with folk singer Joan Baez for a highly unique concert, one that is now widely regarded as one of the greatest and most rousing live performances of modern history. Setting up in New York's notorious Sing Sing maximum-security prison, the two music stars had a daunting task on their hands as they took to a makeshift stage to play before some hardened inmates. But fortunately, the performances proved to be a celebratory experience for all involved, with the musicians and prisoners both enjoying the occasion. Even the no-nonsense wardens were spotted tapping their toes along the the music! King later claimed that it was one of the finest performances of his career. The concert is presented here in its entirety.

By 1972, The Prison Concert was already an established, if infrequent event in the calendars of American jails; the blueprint had been set by the famous performances given by Johnny Cash at Folsom and San Quentin in 1968 and 1969 respectively. The huge success of these shows reassured the authorities and encouraged other musicians to follow suit. It was against this backdrop that film-makers David Hoffmann and Harry Wiland were allowed into New York's notorious Sing Sing prison, not just to make a film themselves, but to teach film-craft to some of the inmates. This relationship developed to such an extent that, encouraged by the prisoners, they persuaded the Department of Correction to allow the Thanksgiving Concert which is the subject of this film. Many acts were approached to take part, and most refused, but Blues legend B.B. King and veteran folk singer and activist Joan Baez recognised the importance of the venture, and with enthusiastic support from The Voices Of East Harlem, comedian Jimmy Walker and performances from a few of Sing Sing's inmates, a unique and never-to-be-forgotten show was staged. The show, though, really belongs to B.B. King. His opening banter established an easy rapport with the crowd, and he opens with a masterful performance of 'I Got The Blues'. An extraordinary sequence follows, with hardened cons firstly in tears during King's emotionally-charged 'Somebody Really Loves You', then convulsed with laughter during his treatment of 'I Think You're Cheating On Me, Baby'. King himself has suggested that these performances are among the finest he has ever given. This DVD is not just the film of an extraordinary concert however, it is also a touching and enlightening documentary about the creation, production and filming of that concert, and equally works as a revealing tale of American prison life in the early 1970s.