Buddy Guy

Buddy Guy has long worn the crown of "king of Chicago blues” but many would agree he’s done little to maintain the throne since 1991’s Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues (although 2001’s Sweet Tea came close). Live, he’s frustrated many a concert-goer who’s shelled out expecting a taste of the blues that made Buddy famous but received more vaudeville than blues in the transaction. Until Skin Deep. Perhaps all he needed was the participation of the likes of Clapton, Derek Trucks and Robert Randolph to fire his competitive ire. From the opening salvo of "Best Damn Fool” to the closing bars of "I Found Happiness,” Guy is completely ablaze, masterful and brimming with confidence. Best tracks include smoky duet "Too Many Tears” with Susan Tedeschi, as hubby Trucks sears the song with his patented leads. Guy takes no back seat to Clapton on another highlight, "Every Time I Sing The Blues,” upping each other’s game and taking the time to flesh out the song. The supercharged combination of Guy and Robert Randolph on "That’s My Home” is nothing short of uplifting, as Randolph’s pedal steel joins Guy’s guitar for a mile-wide scorch-fest. Guy’s vocals are in fine form but these all-original songs prove the perfect vehicle for his original instrument with its monstrous tone.