Buddy Guy: Born to Play Guitar

The Guitar Master: Buddy Guy's "Born to Play Guitar"

Buddy Guy stands as the quintessential Chicago bluesman - a living legend whose searing guitar work has influenced generations of six-string heroes. From Eric Clapton (who famously dubbed him "the best guitar player alive") to Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Gary Clark Jr., and John Mayer - all have acknowledged Guy's profound impact on their playing.

His journey from Chess Records session guitarist alongside Muddy Waters to his celebrated partnership with harmonica virtuoso Junior Wells cemented Guy's status as blues royalty. With eight Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Medal of Arts, and Kennedy Center Honors to his name, Guy's position as the 27th greatest guitarist in Rolling Stone's 2023 rankings feels almost modest.
Born to Play Guitar (2015)

Guy's 17th studio album arrived via Silvertone Records in 2015, climbing to #60 on the Billboard 200 while claiming the #1 spot on the Blues Albums chart. The Grammy Award for Best Blues Album soon followed in 2016, further validating Guy's enduring mastery.

Pressing Details
Mastered by Roger Seibel at SAE Analog & Digital Mastering Services and pressed on substantial 180-gram vinyl, this Sony Music Entertainment distributed release delivers the sonic goods. The pressing quality reflects the care of a major label production, offering impressive dynamics and detail throughout.

The Vinyl Verdict
Guy's voice emerges with all its warm, gruff character intact, while his guitar work rightfully commands center stage. The vinyl surface remains admirably quiet, with any distortion present clearly serving the music rather than detracting from it. The production strikes that perfect balance - punchy and occasionally raw, exactly as Guy intended. The combination of solid production values and Guy's masterful performance makes this a very strong consideration for any serious blues collection. 💰

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