Buddy Guy
Living Proof
Jive Records
With Living Proof,
Buddy Guy proves
that even at 74
years of age he
can put out one
of the most cohesive
and biting
blues albums of
the year. Guy has nothing to prove but
still plays with the ferocity of guitar slingers
a quarter of his age. During the solo
on the opening track—fittingly titled “74
Years Young”—Guy is in classic form with
his sustaining, overdriven tone and relentlessly
energetic phrasing. Stylistically, Guy
doesn’t stray too far from his roots—check
out the guitar-boogie title track—and
gives Chicago-style blues an updated feel
while still sounding authentic. For the
first time in the studio, Guy brings in B.B.
King for “Stay Around a Little Longer,” a
gospel-infused duet that’s the perfect setting
for King’s singing fills and trademark
vibrato. The combination of Guy’s blistering
tone and drummer Tom Hambridge’s
spot-on production and songwriting make
this album a must for blues connoisseurs.
Living Proof
Jive Records
With Living Proof,
Buddy Guy proves
that even at 74
years of age he
can put out one
of the most cohesive
and biting
blues albums of
the year. Guy has nothing to prove but
still plays with the ferocity of guitar slingers
a quarter of his age. During the solo
on the opening track—fittingly titled “74
Years Young”—Guy is in classic form with
his sustaining, overdriven tone and relentlessly
energetic phrasing. Stylistically, Guy
doesn’t stray too far from his roots—check
out the guitar-boogie title track—and
gives Chicago-style blues an updated feel
while still sounding authentic. For the
first time in the studio, Guy brings in B.B.
King for “Stay Around a Little Longer,” a
gospel-infused duet that’s the perfect setting
for King’s singing fills and trademark
vibrato. The combination of Guy’s blistering
tone and drummer Tom Hambridge’s
spot-on production and songwriting make
this album a must for blues connoisseurs.