Born To Play Guitar - Premium Acoustic & Electric Guitars for Beginners & Professionals | Perfect for Live Performances, Studio Recording & Home Practice

While reviewing Buddy Guy's 2013 "Rhythm and Blues", a journalist wrote "At this point in his career, Guy is essentially critic-proof". I have to agree. Buddy, of course, deserves the accolades that come his way, so one treads lightly with criticism. Most of his work since "Damn Right I've Got The Blues" is great, but not all of his collaborations are winners. Both "Heavy Love" and "Rhythm and Blues" are successful for the most part, but some of the guests don't really fit Buddy's style. No such problems are found on "Born To Play Guitar".Kind of ironic, isn't it? Buddy celebrates his 79th birthday by handing US a gift with this record. Producer/drummer Tom Hambridge shows great taste with his choice of guests. Harmonica master Kim Wilson is featured on "Too Late", a popular Little Walter number. If any modern play can evoke the spirit of Walter, it's Wilson. He also plays a great solo on the Hambridge original "Kiss Me Quick".Guitarist Billy Gibbons adds some intense Rock leads and vocals on "Wear You Out", an homage to a musician's needs: a '54 Stratocaster, a seventy-something El Dorado, and a woman who "felt the earth move twice before I even hit my stride". Gonna wear you out! Guitar freaks will love the opening riff in this song, and the intro to "Whiskey, Beer and Wine".Singer Joss Stone sounds like she's having the time of her life on "You Got What It Takes". She was schooled proper in real R&B by the great Benny Latimore and other TK studio veterans for her 2003 debut "The Soul Sessions". Listening to her engage in playful innuendo with Buddy, it's hard to believe this young woman was once the teen who sang "Just Kissed A Boy". Hey, she's of age now.A refreshing aspect to this project is the fact that political correctness is out the window. "Back Up Mama" deals with subject matter you seldom hear about anymore- "Got a back up mama if mama number one's not around". Both "Wear You Out" and "Whiskey, Beer and Wine" harken back to a time before Blues was...well, sanitized. "Crazy World" is an observation from a world weary traveler who can't seem to make sense out of the contradictory world around him.Two poignant tracks close out the album. "Flesh And Bone" is another Hambridge number, dedicated to the recently departed B.B. King. Van Morrison shares vocal duties with Buddy while the McCrary Sisters supply a lovely gospel background. Reese Wyans adds B3 and grand piano, while Rob McNelly (Delbert McClinton) adds some tasty slide. "Come Back Muddy" features Buddy on a Martin acoustic, and Doyle Bramhall on 12 string guitar. Wyans again plays beautiful upright piano on this heartfelt salute to Buddy's mentor and friend. Guy has cut some emotional songs over the years, but this one ranks close to the top. He ends the song by vowing to "keep the promise to continue to play the Blues.Buddy Guy, Tom Hambridge and company have given us a fine collection of new songs, and a worthy addition to a very large canon. With the tributes to B,B. and Muddy, we're also reminded of how few of the deep Blues musicians are left. Happy Birthday, Buddy. Thank you, and stay well. We need you.