Buddy Guy – Ain’t Done With The Blues
RCA/Silvertone -2025
18 tracks; 65 minutes
He may have retired from touring but Buddy Guy is certainly “not done with the blues”, as this new album’s title suggests. Indeed, at 89 years young, Buddy sounds in terrific form here, making this album one of his best in recent years. As has been the case for some years now, the album was produced in Nashville by Tom Hambridge who also wrote most of the original material here which reflects aspects of Buddy’s life. The band includes Tom on drums, Glenn Worf and Tal Wilkenfeld on bass, Rob McNelly on rhythm guitar, Chuck Leavell and Kevin McKendree on keys, Max Abrams on sax and Steve Patrick on trumpet and, of course, Buddy on guitar and vocals; several guests sit in across the album, as will be detailed below.
The album opens with the first of two snippets of traditional acoustic blues, this one being “Hooker Thing”, very much in John Lee territory, “the first thing I ever learned to play”, says Buddy. Buddy recounts his life on the road over a jagged rhythm with Chuck Leavell’s swirling keys and a dramatic, soaring solo from the man himself, the chorus reminding us of Johnny Winter as Buddy sings “Been There Done That, I’m still alive and well”. According to Buddy, playing the blues must be good for you, as “Blues Chase The Blues Away”, a rolling blues with Kevin McKendree’s honky tonk piano, Buddy claiming that when things get tough, all you need is to hear a Jimmy Reed tune.
The first guest spot is for Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram who joins Buddy on a trip to New Orleans in “Where U At”, many of the Crescent City’s venues being name-checked on a funky tune with brass adding to the NOLA feel. “Blues On Top” is a classic blues, handled with consummate ease by Buddy whose vocals are great on this quieter tune, superbly supported by Kevin’s rolling piano. Guitar Slim was one of Buddy’s early influences and the stomping cover of his 1955 number “I Got Sumpin’ For You” is terrific, everyone sounding like they are having a great time – shame it is barely three minutes long! Joe Walsh sits in on slide and shares the vocals on another autobiographical song about Buddy’s early career struggles, “How Blues Is That” before Joe Bonamassa adds delicate guitar to a beautifully poised ballad in which Buddy offers advice from his grandfather that you should always keep a “Dry Stick” around in case it rains “as you never know what’s coming your way”. The guests keep on coming as Peter Frampton joins in on the rousing shuffle “It Keeps Me Young”; what does that for Buddy is Chicago Blues! Buddy brings the tempo down a little for “Love On A Budget”, piano again to the fore before The Blind Boys Of Alabama join him on “Jesus Loves The Sinner”, the gospel tones of The Blind Boys well blended with the steady pulse of the guitars.
Buddy speaks his mind about current matters on “Upside Down”, the focus of his rage being cost of living, rising taxes and politicians unable to work together. This is more of a blues-rock tune with horns and searing guitar leads from Buddy. In contrast the second acoustic piece is the short “One From Lightning” before a superb song, “I Don’t Forget”. Buddy recounts some of the many injustices he has seen and suffered, growing up at a time when people of color were unable to go into many establishments and were the subject of overt racism. The tune is stripped back, eerie keys and quiet backing as Buddy recounts his history: “You may tell me slaving days are gone but it don’t erase years and years of wrong; I don’t forget my people’s history, I still got scars across my family. I don’t forget the things I’ve seen, they stay in my head, I don’t forget”. Just as 2008 ‘s “Skin Deep” had an emotional heft to it, this tune is 2025’s equivalent – simply magnificent.
The album closes with three covers and a final original. Earl King’s “Trick Bag” marks a second trip to NOLA. “Swamp Poker” references an infamous Louisiana card game, the music having an appropriately Cajun sound with swampy slide. Buddy shows a different side to his music with a solid cover of “Send Me Some Loving”, first recorded by Little Richard in 1956 and subsequently covered by The Crickets, Sam Cooke, Dean Martin and John Lennon, amongst many. The blend of Rn’R, doo-wop and blues guitar n Buddy’s version works really well. Just time for a run through JB Lenoir’s “Talk To Your Daughter”, Buddy again on acoustic but joined by the main band.
Even as he approaches his nineties, Buddy Guy again shows that there is no stopping him and that he has indeed not finished with the blues yet. This is an impressive and diverse album for us all to enjoy.
