Monday, 26 August 2013

Buddy Guy - Rhythm & Blues



Declaring

Rather like declaring that bourbon is brilliant, there are tautologies and platitudes that waste the breath of statement or space of writing. Like declaring that Buddy Guy is brilliant, and has been for some time. Like declaring that the opening song on his latest double cd release Rhythm and Blues is emblematic, symptomatic, definitely not enigmatic as he’s playing the rhythm and blues as fantastic as ever. The wah-wah of Best in Town delivers the sound of the title’s sentiment as this blistering start, backed by big band horns and a punchy rhythm section that’s positively ecstatic with its support, skims the runway strip for the album’s launch on the smoothest of surfaces. Second Justifyin’ punches even harder, the guitar heaviness adding apt weight to the lyrical anger at life’s inequalities. Third I Go By Feel is a mission statement about blues and how Buddy feels as he plays, by feeling the blues. Not that we need convincing of this other kind of declaration, but after these three tracks it’s emphatic: Buddy Guy and this album are brilliant. Have another.

And another.  

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