Buddy Guy

Born To Play Guitar
RCA

It shouldn’t be any surprise considering the past few albums that Buddy Guy has released. Born To Play Guitar is … ho-hum, here we go again …. another masterfully created disc of fiery guitar, autobiographical songs and a handful of guests enhancing an already exceptional album. In fact, Buddy Guy just may be getting even better as he gets older.

Of the fourteen tracks included, Guy penned only four. Most are written/co-written by longtime associate Tom Hambridge who also plays drums and produced the album. He pays tribute to two blues giants with “Come Back Muddy” in recognition to his former mentor and boss Muddy Waters, and “Flesh & Bone” serving up his own bow to the late BB King. The latter he is joined on vocals by Van Morrison. Other guests on the recording include ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons on “Wear You Out,” vocalist Joss Stone on “(Baby) You Got What It Takes,” and harmonica man Kim Wilson laying down riffs on a pair of numbers “Too Late” and “Kiss Me Quick.”

Opening the album with the title track, “Born To Play Guitar,” songwriter Hambridge covers Guy’s journey from his Louisiana upbringing to his present glory as one of the world’s most appreciated guitarists. On “Crying Out Of One Eye” he may lay down some of the finest Chicago blues going. He hits it right on target. There’s always a bit of indiscretion in the blues at times and Guy shows a little infidelity as sings about his “Back Up Mama” whom he sees when his regular mama is not around. He also touches on vices like cigarettes and dice but he states that you can fix anything with “Whiskey, Beer & Wine,” something that he was taught by Howlin’ Wolf that it can make you kind of ignorant at times. Would you like a little taste of this medication, the song is definitely jammed packed with tearing guitar runs, as can be found throughout the album.

This is a very aptly titled recording by Buddy Guy, because without doubt he was most certainly Born To Play Guitar. And when it comes to the blues, perhaps nobody today does it better.

Total Time: 59:31

Born To Play Guitar / Wear You Out / Back Up Mama / Too Late / Whiskey, Beer & Wine / Kiss Me Quick / Crying Out Of One Eye / (Baby) You Got What It Takes / Turn Me Wild / Crazy World / Smarter Than I Was / Thick Like Mississippi Mud / Flesh & Bone / Come Back Muddy