Buddy Guy - Greatest Hits [CD+DVD] ↓

In 1991 Buddy Guy teamed up with Silvertone Records, doubtless hoping for a piece of the action being enjoyed by John Lee Hooker following his career-reviving THE HEALER. Featuring a crack selection of backing musicians, DAMN RIGHT, I'VE GOT THE BLUES was liberally spiced with big name rock artists. The formula worked and Buddy Guy won many new fans. On the next two albums, FEELS LIKE RAIN and SLIPPIN' IN, the heavy friends were gradually phased out in favour of fine ensemble work.

Tellingly, of the four tracks chosen from DAMN RIGHT, only "Mustang Sally" has a stellar contribution (from Jeff Beck). The three songs selected from FEELS LIKE RAIN include the lovely title track, written by John Hiatt and featuring Bonnie Raitt on slide guitar. SLIPPIN IN' benefited from the presence of veteran pianist Johnnie Johnson, who also crops up on "My Time After Awhile" from LIVE! THE REAL DEAL. A fourth studio set HEAVY LOVE yields "Midnight Train," a mid-pace scorcher on which Guy and guest Jonny Lang trade guitar solos. Three previously unreleased tracks, which judging from the personnel date from sessions for DAMN RIGHT, rounds of this summary of the comeback years.

Recorded between 1991 and 1999.

Engineers: Tony Platt, Eddie Kramer, David Z.

Personnel includes: Buddy Guy (vocals, electric guitar); Johnny Lang (vocals, guitar); Bonnie Raitt (vocals, slide guitar) Jeff Beck (electric guitar); G.E. Smith, Neil Hubbard, John Porter, Johnny Lee Schell, David Grissom, Scott Holt, Jack Holder (guitar); Jimmy Powers (harmonica); Malcolm Duncan (saxophone); Sid Gauld (trumpet); Neil Sidwell (trombone); Mick Weaver (acoustic & electric pianos, organ); Reese Wynans (piano, organ, keyboards); Johnnie Johnson, Pete Wingfield, Bill Payne, Marty Grebb (piano); Ian McLagan (Wurlitzer piano); Greg Rzab, Tommy Shannon, David M. Smith, Chuck Domanico (bass); Richie Hayward, Ray Allison, Chris Layton (drums); Tony Braunagle, David Z. (percussion); Renee Geyer (background vocals); The Saturday Night Live Band.

Producers: John Porter, Eddie Kramer, Buddy Guy, David Z.

Mojo (Publisher) (9/99, p.102) - "...If the blues concentration and three previously unreleased cuts ought to please hardliners, the cameos by Johnny Lang...and Bonnie Raitt...and the lovely wordless meditation for SRV, 'Rememberin' Stevie', should take the fancy of just about everybody else."