Buddy Guy — “The Blues Don’t Lie” — RCA Records
What can you say about George “Buddy” Guy that hasn’t been said many times over? Even saying that he has a fine new album isn’t exactly big news. He’s created plenty, if you think 50 is plenty.
Except:
The living legend turned 86 this year, and he still sounds great at the peak of his blues powers. (Okay, the album was probably recorded when he was a mere 85 or so.)
An abbreviated list of his accomplishments: The recipient of the 2015 Grammy Lifetime achievement Award, Buddy Guy’s incredible career spans over 50 years with just as many albums released. Career highlights include 8 Grammy Awards, 38 Blues Music Awards, the most any artist has had, a Kennedy Center Honors, NARM Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement, Billboard Music Awards’ Century Award for distinguished artistic development, Presidential National Medal of Arts, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, plus, more.
And that doesn’t include his status as a major influence; as one of the last of the great bluesmen still standing.
And also, this is a magnificent album of 16 songs (yes, that’s 16 — finally, someone fills a CD with great new music, thank you very much).
It all kicks off with the rich and powerful sound of “I Let My Guitar Do The Talking,” which probably sums up his entire career. Then the title track continues that thought with the philosophical “Blues Don’t Lie” (“Life is gonna happen, whether you’re ready or not….”). “The World Needs Love” follows, the only track written by Guy alone; it’s a scorcher with a wicked guitar solo and a heartfelt vocal pleading of his case.
The next tracks bring in some of the supporting cast assembled here. “We Go Back” is a haunting reminiscence featuring Mavis Staples; the churning rhythms of “Symptoms of Love” adds Elvis Costello and producer Tom Hambridge (much more on him later) on background vocals, and “Follow the Money” adds James Taylor in a sly critique of dollar daze.
The songs here seem to dig deeper into the blues as they move along. “Well Enough Alone” evokes the mojo hand and a black cat bone smothered in stinging guitar, and “What’s Wrong With That” brings in Bobby Rush for a playful look at their good old days: “I like my bacon crispy, my pancakes cooked up right….”
The music takes a topical turn with the plaintive “Gunsmoke Blues,” featuring Jason Isbell, in an anthem to a litany of shootings (“A million thoughts and prayers won’t bring back anyone….”). Then the mood shifts back to a rocking “House Party” with Wendy Moten joining in the vocals as the band shuffles into a traditional blues groove.
The album closes with a few covers and more tough blues. (“Sweet Thing” is classic B.B. King, “I’ve Got a Feeling” is a bluesy take on the Beatles chestnut, “Backdoor Scratchin’,” “Rabbitt Blood” and “Last Call” add even more down-home feel, until Buddy closes with a deep blue cover of the Slim Harpo classic, “King Bee.”
Put all of that together, and it makes for a truly excellent Buddy Guy outing. The original songs, mostly co-written by the ridiculously talented Tom Hambridge are sharp and incisive, contemporary and timeless, and just plain good blues. (Hambridge also plays some drums. Check the full credits below to get the complete picture.)
When the songs are topical, they’re not oppressive. When they are solid blues, they are the real deal. It’s hard enough to write this kind of music, it’s even harder to make it feel like it’s been dredged from the depths of the blues — and having Guy sing and play guitar doesn’t hurt either.
Sure, there are many, many fine Buddy Guy albums that you can listen to. But this is one of the finest — traditional and contemporary, surrounded by choice Buddy licks.
“The Blues Don’t Lie” is living proof that the blues still don’t lie.
Here’s the leadoff track:
TRACKLIST:
- I Let My Guitar Do The Talking
- Blues Don’tLie
- The World Needs Love
- We Go Back (featuring Mavis Staples)
- Symptoms Of Love (featuring Elvis Costello)
- Follow The Money (featuring James Taylor)
- Well Enough Alone
- What’s Wrong With That (featuring Bobby Rush)
- Gunsmoke Blues (featuring Jason Isbell)
- House Party (featuring Wendy Moten)
- Sweet Thing
- Backdoor Scratchin’
- I’ve Got A Feeling
- Rabbit Blood
- Last Call
- King Bee
If you’re interested in the complete track credits, with all those crack musicians, down to which guitar Buddy played, here they are:
I LET MY GUITAR DO THE TALKING (4:27)
(Tom Hambridge, Buddy Guy)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Mic Shau Music/adm. By BUG Music (BMI)
Buddy Guy – BG Signature Blonde Strat, Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums
Reese Wynans – B3
Michael Rhodes – Bass
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
Max Abrams & Steve Patrick – Horns
BLUES DON’T LIE (3:54)
(Tom Hambridge)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP)
Buddy Guy – BG Signature Blonde Strat, BG Sunburst Strat, Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums, Tambourine, Background Vocals
Reese Wynans – B3
Michael Rhodes – Bass
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
Michael Saint-Leon – Low End Guitar
Mike Hicks – Background Vocals
Max Abrams & Steve Patrick – Horns
THE WORLD NEEDS LOVE (5:30)
(Buddy Guy)
Published by Mic Shau Music/adm. By BUG Music (BMI)
Buddy Guy – BG Blonde Strat, Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums
Glenn Worf – Bass
Kevin McKendree – Piano
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
WE GO BACK (featuring Mavis Staples) (4:40)
(Tom Hambridge, Richard Fleming)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Richard Fleming Music (BMI)
Buddy Guy – BG Blonde Strat, Vocals
Mavis Staples – Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums, Percussion
Glenn Worf – Bass
Kevin McKendree – Wurlitzer, B3
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
SYMPTOMS OF LOVE (featuring Elvis Costello) (3:37)
(Tom Hambridge, Richard Fleming)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Richard Fleming Music (BMI)
Buddy Guy – BG Blonde Strat, Vocals
Elvis Costello – Background Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals
Glenn Worf – Bass
Kevin McKendree – B3
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
FOLLOW THE MONEY (featuring James Taylor) (3:42)
(Tom Hambridge, Gary Nicholson)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Sony-ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Gary Nicholson Music (ASCAP)
Buddy Guy – Martin Acoustic Guitar, Gibson J-200 Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
James Taylor – Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums
Reese Wynans – Wurlitzer
Michael Rhodes – Bass
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
WELL ENOUGH ALONE (4:13)
(Tom Hambridge, Richard Fleming)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Richard Fleming Music (BMI)
Buddy Guy – BG Signature Blonde Strat, BG Signature Blue Polka Dot Strat, Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums, Background Vocals
Reese Wynans – B3
Michael Rhodes – Bass
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT? (featuring Bobby Rush) (5:26)
(Tom Hambridge, Richard Fleming)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Richard Fleming Music (BMI)
Buddy Guy – BG Blonde Strat, BG Signature Blue Polka Dot Strat
Bobby Rush – Vocals, Harmonica
Tom Hambridge – Drums, Tambourine
Reese Wynans – B3
Michael Rhodes – Bass
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
GUNSMOKE BLUES (featuring Jason Isbell) (3:09)
(Tom Hambridge, Richard Fleming)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Richard Fleming Music (BMI)
Buddy Guy – BG Signature Blonde Strat, BG Signature Blue Polka Dot Strat, Vocals
Jason Isbell – Vocals, Electric Guitar
Tom Hambridge – Drums
Reese Wynans – Piano, Wurlitzer
Michael Rhodes – Bass
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
HOUSE PARTY (featuring Wendy Moten) (3:00)
(Tom Hambridge, Richard Fleming)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Richard Fleming Music (BMI)
Buddy Guy – Guild Starfire, Vocals
Wendy Moten – Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums
Reese Wynans – B3
Michael Rhodes – Bass
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
SWEET THING (3:00)
(BB King, Joe Josea)
Published by Universal Music Careers (BMI)
Buddy Guy – BG Signature Blue Polka Dot Strat, Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums
Glenn Worf – Bass
Kevin McKendree – Piano
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
BACK DOOR SCRATCHIN’ (3:54)
(Tom Hambridge, Gary Nicholson)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Sony-ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Gary Nicholson Music (ASCAP)
Buddy Guy – BG Blonde Strat, Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums
Glenn Worf – Bass
Kevin McKendree – B3
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
I’VE GOT A FEELING (4:02)
(John Lennon, Paul McCartney)
Published by Sony/ATV LLC (ASCAP)
Buddy Guy – ’58 Sunburst Strat, Sitar Guitar, Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums, Percussion
Reese Wynans – Fender Rhodes
Michael Rhodes – Bass
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
RABBIT BLOOD (4:43)
(Tom Hambridge, Richard Fleming)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Richard Fleming Music (BMI)
Buddy Guy – BG Blonde Strat, Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums
Glenn Worf – Upright Bass
Kevin McKendree – Piano
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
LAST CALL (3:33)
(Tom Hambridge, Bill Sweeney)
Published by Tom Hambridge Tunes (ASCAP), Bill Sweens Music (ASCAP)
Buddy Guy – BG Blonde Strat, Vocals
Tom Hambridge – Drums
Glenn Worf – Upright Bass
Kevin McKendree – Piano, B3
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
I’M A KING BEE (2:44)
(James Moore)
Published by Embassy Music Corporation (BMI)
Buddy Guy – Martin Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Blues Roadhouse 