Buddy Guy says The Blues Is Alive and Well

Buddy Guy
The Blues Is Alive and Well
Silvertone/ RCA Records

According to the press materials, this is Buddy Guy's 18th solo album. It is produced by Tom Hambridge who has been a recent producer and collaborator with Guy, who also had a hand of nearly every song here and plays drums. The rest of the core backing band here is Kevin McKendree on keyboards, Willie Weeks on bass and Rob McNelly on rhythm or slide guitar m(although he sits out some tracks). Also heard here are guest appearances from Jeff Beck (who called Guy his favorite guitarist decades ago), Keith Richards, James Bay and Mick Jagger.

It is a solid, straight-forward recording pretty much in the vein of Guy's recent recordings. There is plenty of punch in the backing and the tone of Guy's guitar and his vocals belie his age of 81 years. There is an in-your-face quality to his fretwork on the opening "A Few Good Years," supporting his strong vocal on one of a number of strong originals here. It is followed by a rollicking shuffle "Guilty as Charged," with McKendree outstanding in his accompaniment while Guy plays more blistering guitar. Jeff Beck and Keith Richards add their guitar to "Cognac," with Beck especially pulling out all the stops as Guy sings about the merits of "Cognac," which has "liquid gold in every sip." The Muscle Shoals Horns add punch to the backing on the title track, with Guy singing soulfully about her woman having another man. I do not who James Bay but he adds his guitar and vocals to "Blue No More," with its low-key manner and is it may be Bay who contributes the B.B. King styled playing here.

Hambridge contributes a sledge hammer groove with a drum loop along with Guy's hammering out his guitar as he shouts about "Whiskey For Sale," with the McCrary Sisters adding vocal harmony on this minor entry here. Mick Jagger adds some nice harmonica adding to the late night feel of a slow blues, "You Did the Crime." The Muscle Shoals Horns return for "Old Fashioned" which is perhaps a bit over-the-top for these ears as Hambridge anchors the driving backing here. Rice Miler's "Nine Below Zero" is transformed into a hard hitting Muddy Waters' styled number followed by a Memphis styled rocker, "Ooh Daddy."

"End of the Line" is a Jimmy Reed-styled shuffle with Guy's easy going vocal, shattering guitar along with punchy horns before the album closes with a brief "Milking Muther For Ya," where Guy sings a verse of the Dirty Red song accompanied only by his guitar. 15 very different performances on this album which certainly will satisfy those wanting Guy's sizzling guitar playing, but also displays his fine singing as well.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the July-August 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 379). Here is the audio of Buddy Guy's performance of "Cognac" with guests Jeff Beck and Keith Richards from this CD.

Lou Pallo's Thank You To Les Paul

Thank You Les (Showcase Music Productions) is a tribute that guitarist Lou Pallo of the Les Paul Trio put together to celebrate the musical legacy of Les Paul. The recording’s 21 performances have an all star group of musicians that include guitarists Keith Richards, Billy F Gibbons, Steve Miller (who also penned the package’s liner notes), Jose Feliciano, Slash, Johnny A, Bucky Pizzarelli, Arlen Roth, Nokie Edwards (The Ventures), Frank Vignola, Bob Leive, Tommy Doyle and Jon Paris, as well as singers Eddie Brigati, Jr. (The Young Rascals) Blondie Chaplin (Rolling Stones), Nicki Parrott (Les Paul Trio), Lexie Roth, Melinda Doolittle (finalist on “American Idol” season six) and members of the Les Paul Trio, who are brought together by their love of the late musical legend.

Pallo was a long-time friend of Les Paul and his long-time friend and rhythm guitarist, who many credit with helping Les Paul revitalize his career as a live performer after they first met in 1963 and soon after began performing together. It was Pallo who stood on stage with Les for his extended run of weekly performances in New York City starting in 1984, first at Fat Tuesday’s for 10 years, and later at the Iridium, where the Les Paul Trio today continues to celebrate Les Paul’s legacy today.

Space prevents the consideration of every track but there are numerous pleasures starting from the spirited opening Avalon featuring Frank Vignola with marvelous interplay between him and Pallo that is also displayed on Brazil. Steve Miller does a jazzy Mr. Day/ Tell Me What’s the Reason, with a straightforward vocal on the T-Bone Walker classic while he lays down the guitar on Nature Boy, backed by Pallo, pianist John Colianni and bassist Gary Mazzaroppi for the classic jazz ballad. Nokie Edwards’s trebly playing lends a different tinge to the Ellington-Tizol classic Caravan, and is really lovely on “Out of Nowhere,” with soft accompaniment from Pallo and bassist Jay Leonhart.

Few would expect to hear Billy F Gibbons' very deliberate playing on September Song, with a larger backing group and even more surprising is Keith Richards sharing vocals (and saying I’ll be Bing Crosby) and guitar with Pallo on It’s Been a Long, Long Time. Richards crooning is a far cry from the Rolling Stones. Arlen Roth does his best Chet Atkins impression on Mr. Sandman, and Lexie Roth joins for vocals on the wistful Mexican-tinged Vaya Con Dios. Jose Feliciano adds a bit of latin spice with his singing and guitar on “Besame Mucho.” 

Slash takes us Deep in the Blues, although with perhaps a bit too much effects and reverb and Jon Paris’ rendition of St. Louis Blues, with his slide and harmonica along with Bob Leive’s trumpet is more satisfying. Pallo and Tommy Doyle perform a lovely rendition of Memories of You, one of the most celebrated collaborations of Eubie Blake-Andy Razaf. American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle sings Over The Rainbow, accompanied by Pallo, pianist Rio Clemente and bassist Jay Leonhart, to close this wonderful celebration of an innovator and legend. Thank you Lou Pallo for this terrific recording.

I received a review copy of the CD from a publicist. There is also a CD/Bonus DVD package available and a DVD. Here is a video of Lou Pallo with les Paul.