Buddy Guy is one of the last surviving members of the Chicago blues scene, playing with legends such as Muddy Waters and Freddie King. With his tormented soul voice and raw guitar playing he can (and should) count Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan among his greatest admirers. An inconsistent oeuvre full of gaps and aimless forays may have meant that he is not mentioned in the same breath as all
… those greats. This album also suffers from changeability. It starts very strong with the weeping Now You're Gone and the lazy swinging Stax soul of Ninety Nine And One Half also comes in well. However, things go wrong when Guy enters into duets with guest artists. Besides Carlos Santana, Tracy Chapman, Keb 'Mo', it is mainly Guy who falls short in covers such as Ain't No Sunshine and I've Got Dreams To Remember. This is just not his style. Only when everyone has gone home (about two-thirds of the way down) does he regain his authenticity. Keith Richards will drop by but he knows where he should be: at least one step behind Guy. (MR)more
