He's Chicago's blues king today, ruling his domain just as his idol and mentor Muddy Waters did before him. Yet there was a time, and not all that long ago either, when Buddy Guy couldn't even negotiate a decent record deal. Times sure have changed for the better — Guy's first three albums for Silvertone in the '90s all earned Grammys. Eric Clapton unabashedly calls Buddy Guy his favorite blues axeman, and so do a great many adoring fans worldwide.
High-energy guitar histrionics and boundless onstage energy have always been Guy trademarks, along with a tortured vocal style that's nearly as distinctive as his incendiary rapid-fire fretwork. He's come a long way from his beginnings on the 1950s Baton Rouge blues scene — at his first gigs with bandleader "Big Poppa" John Tilley, the young guitarist had to chug a stomach-jolting concoction of Dr. Tichenor's antiseptic and wine to ward off an advanced case of stage fright. But by the time he joined harpist Raful Neal's band, Guy had conquered his nervousness.
Guy journeyed to Chicago in 1957, ready to take the town by storm... Read More...------------------------------------
1993. Feels Like RainReview by Daniel Gioffre
On Buddy Guy's second Silvertone release, he continues the practice of guest appearances begun on Damn Right, I've Got the Blues. In this case, the notables include Paul Rodgers, Travis Tritt, and John Mayall. The finest combination comes when Bonnie Raitt joins Guy on John Hiatt's "Feels Like Rain." Raitt's gritty vocals and sweet slide guitar add a pleasing nuance to the bittersweet track, and it is ultimately the high point of the record. Certain critics and blues purists have derided Guy's search for mainstream success as evidenced by his penchant for guest appearances and non-traditional blues forms, but Guy sounds fantastic in these unconventional situations (witness his burning version of the Moody Blues' "I Go Crazy"). Guy's vocals, often under appreciated, really sell this song. As for his guitar playing, it is slightly below his usually high standards. He often sounds sloppy and unfocused, an extremely noticeable exception being his explosive solo on the John Mayall duet "I Could Cry," but his singing, especially on the soulful "Feels Like Rain," is full of character. Guy's backing band is top-notch, particularly bassist Greg Rzab, who plays both more actively and more melodically than most bassists working in the blues idiom. Guy has recorded better blues in his career, but on Feels Like Rain he shows that he is comfortable in more mainstream situations as well. The blues on this record often just sound flat for some reason, like Guy and his band are just going through the motions. But on up-tempo R&B tracks such as the Paul Rodgers duet "Some Kind of Wonderful" or Guy's pairing with Travis Tritt on "Change in the Weather," the bluesman sounds excited and fresh. It must be mentioned that the production is a bit on the thin side throughout, and many of the tracks simply do not pack enough punch. Despite this, the album is quite strong. Feels Like Rain is not the place to look for Guy the legendary blues guitarist, but, taken for what it is, it is extremely entertaining. 1 She's a Superstar Guy 5:01
2 I Go Crazy Brown 2:29
3 Feels Like Rain Hiatt 4:35
4 She's Nineteen Years Old Waters 5:40
5 Some Kind of Wonderful Ellison 3:27
6 Sufferin' Mind Jones 3:30
7 Change in the Weather Fogerty 4:35
8 I Could Cry Wells 5:09
9 Mary Ann Charles 3:10
10 Trouble Man Gaye 4:04
11 Country Man Guy 6:15 Buddy Guy - Guitar, Vocals
John Mayall - Piano, Vocals, Assistant Producer
Bonnie Raitt - Vocals, Slide Guitar
Paul Rodgers - Vocals
Travis Tritt - Vocals
Renee Geyer - Vocals (bckgr)
Ian McLagan - Piano, Wurlitzer
Tony Braunagel - Percussion
Tom Canning - Organ (Hammond)
Rick Cortes - Bass, Guitar (Bass)
Mike Finnegan - Vocals (bckgr)
Marty Grebb - Organ, Piano, Arranger, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor), Vocals (bckgr), Tenor (Vocal), Horn Arrangements
David Grissom - Guitar (Rhythm)
Richard Hayward - Drums
Darrell Leonard - Trumpet
Leslie - Guitar
Bill Payne - Piano
John Porter - Guitar, Producer
Jimmy Powers - Harp
Greg Rzab - Bass
Johnny Lee Schell - Guitar
John Philip Shenale - Organ, Synthesizer
Joe Sublett - Sax (Tenor)
Texacali Horn's - Ensemble
Mick Weaver - Organ
Joe Yuele - Drums
