Product Description One of the most respected and lauded blues artists of our time, Buddy Guy is the greatest exponent of classic Chicago electric blues. He is a thrillingly inventive guitarist, a passionately soulful singer and a peerless showman. In the course of a 45-year professional career, he has sold millions of albums, earned five Grammy Awards and won twenty three W.C. handy Blues Awards – more than any other single artist. Any discussion of Buddy Guy invariably involves a recitation of his colossal musical resume and hard earned accolades. He’s a rock’n’roll Hall of Fame inductee, a chief guitar influence to rock titans like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West Side Sound and a living link to that city’s halcyon days of electric blues. Living Proof includes 11 new studio cuts, including the first single, “Stay around A Little Longer” with B.B. King, the first time these two Blues greats have worked together. It also includes one other feature, this time with Carlos Santana on “Where the Blues Begins.” The opening track, “74 Years Young” establishes the theme of this album, after all this time and countless career accolades, Buddy continues to search for new sounds and fresh ideas. Review The legendary pioneer of the Chicago blues turned 74 in July this year, and he’s determined to show that he’s still in fine voice, and – more even importantly – that he’s still one of the most exhilarating and inventive guitarists in the world."I’m 74 years young, there’s nothing I haven’t done / I’ve drunk wine with kings and The Rolling Stones," he notes cheerfully on the opening track, as he switches from a solid, slinky acoustic guitar riff to a sudden, furious and attacking solo that provides an instant reminder of why he is so special. Here, after all, is an artist who started out in Louisiana, moved to Chicago to be influenced by the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, and played with such passion and fury that some blues purists criticised his furious guitar work as "noise" – though this style influenced and impressed blues-rockers from Hendrix to Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and, of course, The Rolling Stones.A semi-autobiographical album like this can easily become an exercise in self-congratulation and nostalgia, but it succeeds because of the sheer quality and variety in the playing. After bragging about the fine condition that he’s still in, he switches to Thank Me Someday, a reminiscence of his early life, back on a Louisiana plantation, where he drove his family mad as he taught himself to play on a self-made two-string guitar. It starts with a compelling riff that echoes Howlin’ Wolf, and then switches to another blistering, screeching and exuberant guitar solo. Then he switches styles yet again with the upbeat On the Road, which provides another reminder that blues can be cheerful as well as sad, and there’s a further mood change for the thoughtful and emotional Stay Around a Little Longer. Here he’s joined by another blues legend, B.B. King, for a slower, soulful, gospel-tinged ballad on which the two great veterans congratulate themselves on how good they still sound. That may seem horribly mawkish, but they mean what they say and the result is a friendly, poignant little piece of blues history.There is only one other special guest involved, and that’s yet another guitar legend, Carlos Santana, who proves a predictably fine sparring partner for Guy on the rolling Where the Blues Begins. The crisp production work is by Tom Hambridge, who also plays drums in Guy’s backing band, and he keeps the changes coming throughout the set. The closing tracks include the thoughtful Everybody’s Got to Go, the upbeat Let The Doorknob Hit Ya, and the slow, keyboard-backed Guess What, on which Guy shows off powerful vocals. It ends with an instrumental, Skanky, and another demonstration of his exhilarating guitar work. Seventy-four years on, he has recorded what is surely the blues album of the year. --Robin DenselowFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window
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Forever young
Living Proof that age doesn't slow you down. Buddy sounds as good as ever, in fact he sounds better. He still plays a blistering guitar, still sings straight from the soul, but he's got a polish to him that's like a fine wine. This is a blues master working his craft.My favourite track is his duet with B.B King. King is my absolute favourite guitarist, his phrasing and dynamic style seem to just float out from my headphones. Its so soothing to listen too. Its what makes this album great, as Buddy's style is wild and frantic in comparisson. Then you have a great track with Santana on guitar which just adds yet more dynamics to an already great blues album.If you're new to Buddy Guy then this is a great place to start. Its a fun, uplifting, blues album that shows Buddy at his best. 74 years is certainly just a number to this man, he's living proof.
D**D
Not among his best...
Buddy sounds good but the material here is largely committee-written, commercial stuff that lacks (for me, anyway) the ring of authenticity. It's too slick. And if a blues-album doesn't sound authentic, then what's it for, you know?
D**S
Real Blues with Feeling
I've got a few of Mr Guy's earlier and later CD's and wasn't sure if he could still deliver the goods at his grand time of life and the time he's been in the game. From the first notes my fears were put to rest. Every track is excellent and as good as any earlier works, better than most. I bought this at the same time as Robert Cray's live at the BBC and the difference to me is clearly evident. Though Mr Cray is very competent as a singer and a guitarist to me he lacks something that the likes of Buddy bring to the genre. I'm sure many of Mr Cray's fan's will not agree with my opinion and I mean no disrespect to his obvious skill but it's just too, what's the word, polite maybe. I played Mr Cray 3 times, a minimum in my view to give everyone a chance but Buddy is on and on and just get's better with each play. Don't hesitate-BUY.
V**Y
Excellent Album
Buddy Guy is still an amazing blues guitar player and this album contains some gems.
A**2
74 Years old
74 years old and Buddy Guy, who I seriously have never heard of before (shame of me), rips out solo after solo that let younger and more famour guitar players pale in comparison.But it is mostly the heartfelt, honest and supreme blues feel with great songwriting and singing that makes this album so great.Highly recommended.
M**O
Solid blues boogie
Living legend Buddy Guy's been singing the blues since before you could spell 'blues', can shred like an absolute b'stard when he chooses to and makes this whole being a rock and roll star thing look like something he does in between meals. You kids could learn a lot from a guy like Guy, so pay attention!
R**S
must have for blues fans, no question - buy it now
This is a fantastic blues album. Buddy Guy needs no introduction. I don't need to say much - buy it now. The album is quite formidable throughout. A moving duet with BB King is included (last words from BB: "when I am pushing daisies, you'll still be my buddy". Beautiful stuff, great guitar work. And he is only 74 years young.
G**N
A real treat, much better then expected!!
When I bought this it was an impluse buy, with no real expectations. If anything I thought it would be alright, but with an ensemble cast taking up most of the heavy lifting. But Buddy really produced the goods once again! My least favourite track is the one with B.B. King joining him, but tracks like 74 years young, skanky etc are excellent.Buddy Guy just proved once again why is one of the all time greats.
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