It's somewhat of a paradox but when musicians become legends they often don't sell as many albums as new up-and-comers or flavors-of-the-month. Music legends will often release albums guest-starring the popular artists of the day.
This practice often pushes sales well. Just ask Carlos Santana. However, it also tends to weaken the cohesion, focus and musical direction that made the legend thus in the first place. Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy's 2005 album, Bring 'Em In, suffered from these symptoms. But Buddy's back with Skin Deep, and album that lives up to his greatness more and with less guest-stars.
"Best Damn Fool"
"Best Damn Fool" features some fantastic fluid yet meaty guitar lines, almost B.B. King-like. Horns and organ provide an interesting rhythm track mid-mix. The song features a long, powerful solo that shows Buddy still has plenty of chops. The singing is really talking for most of the song, which isn't the best way to start an album.
"Every Time I Sing The Blues"
"Every Time I Sing The Blues" has a slow, almost mournful organ-driven tempo. Guitar licks are short and sweet. But even the addition of Eric Clapton on guitar and vocals can't save this song from tired electric blues standards.
"Skin Deep"
The title track is different than a lot of Guy's work because the rhythm guitar is acoustic. The song has a similar feel to The Black Crowes' "She Talks To Angels," earnest and emotional with a flowing organ line.
Lyrically, the song urges togetherness and the fact that human beings are more similar than some people think. Blues has never been a genre that's terribly pointed in political and social issues, which makes this song stand out. Guy's singing is of high quality here, smooth and emotional but definitely not wimpy.
"Too Many Tears"
"Too Many Tears" has a semi-psychedelic, echo-drenched intro but once the song gets going, interest is lost. Despite the appearance of talented husband and wife team Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, the song is not very distinctive. Rhythms and riffs are largely boring and the music doesn't quite take off like it could.
"That's My Home"
"That's My Home" has familiar and some might say cliched blues themes like deadbeat dads, dead mothers, cheating girlfriends, untrustworthy best friends and wanderlust but the music carries this song to greatness. The song is raw, featuring crunchy, distorted electric guitar and a raucous solo.
"Out In The Woods"
"Out In The Woods" is a salute to living in rural America. The bulk of it is driven by a duet of slide acoustic and electric guitar. The song borrows a lot from traditional delta blues. This song is anything but fancy. Despite a rhythm section featuring piano and accordion as well as standards like drums and bass, there's a lot of space between the different sounds, letting the song breathe appealingly. A singing steel guitar solo from Robert Randolph is a definite highlight.
The Bottom Line
While Skin Deep isn't a perfect album it does represent a return to form for Buddy Guy. The bluesman is known for his showmanship and energy live but often his albums haven't reflected that in recent years. But this one does. The 72-year-old shows why he's a legend and this music sounds as fresh and exciting as anything from his early '60s prime.
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