Complete Vanguard Recordings [Box set, Original recording remastered]

Buddy Guy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 31, 2000)
• Original Release Date: October 31, 2000
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B00004Z3VA
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,787 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #14 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Chicago Blues
  • #22 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Contemporary Blues
  • #24 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Electric Blues Guitar

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Man and the Blues

2. I Can't Quit the Blues

3. Money (That's What I Want)

4. One Room Country Shack

5. Mary Had a Little Lamb

6. Just Playing My Axe

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. I Got My Eyes on You

2. The Things I Used to Do

3. Fever

4. Knock on Wood

5. I Had a Dream Last Night

6. Crazy 'Bout You

See all 9 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Watermelon Man

2. Hold That Plane

3. I'm Ready

4. My Time After Awhile

5. You Don't Love Me

6. Come See About Me

See all 7 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Young man leaves impoverished home, heads out to seek fame and fortune, becomes legend. It's the stuff of myth, and it's also the tale of many a blues musician who headed north to Chicago after World War II. One such bluesman was Buddy Guy, who has achieved mainstream success beyond what most of his compatriots have, thanks to his fiery stage presence and undeniable energy that keeps going and going and going. This reissue of his sessions for Vanguard in the late 1960s and early 1970s, however, offers a different flavor; the pieces are smoother and lower-key than the Buddy Guy we're used to. For instance, his version of Mercy Dee's "One Room Country Shack" has more of the tortured inflections of "Ball and Chain" than the rock & roll stylings that have long been a Guy hallmark. On the other hand, there are audible instances of Guy's influence on rock. Most of this collection's best offerings are on disc one, which consists of the 1968 A Man and the Blues. Just so we're clear, this isn't really Guy's best work. Disc three, in particular, consisting of the 1972 release Hold That Plane, is curiously flat. Disc two, however, is the live album This Is Buddy Guy!, which balances things out some. These three releases aren't widely available, so completists are advised to pick this one up. --Genevieve Williams

Product Description

A great price for 3 CDs of Buddy's famed Vanguard recordings! His late-'60s LPs This Is Buddy Guy!, Hold That Plane! and A Man and His Blues are here plus unissued live cuts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lord Have Mercy!, January 6, 2001

By 

A. Prado (Fort Worth, tx United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Vanguard Recordings (Audio CD)

I am not a Blues nor a Buddy Guy scholar, so all I can tell you is that this album is smokin', especially the live disk #2 (This is Buddy Guy). What I especially like about the album is Guy's versatility. He does a first class job whether he is doing Motown, funk, or down and dirty blues. My favorite is the live disk just because I think you get the flavor of the man as a performer. This is also one CD I have to share equally with my wife.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They Don't Get Much Blue-sier!, December 20, 2000

By 

"Mama Blue" Fritz-songwriter, author (Green Bay, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Vanguard Recordings (Audio CD)

Anyone familiar with the soul-raking sounds of Buddy Guy, any lover of "good" blues, anyone aspiring to the type of career that this fantastic bluesman had...HAS TO have this CD! And those of you who haven't heard his performance...buy it, you'll love it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have Buddy, December 7, 2010

By 

Standard Poodle - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Vanguard Recordings (Audio CD)

I was surprised to see only two reviews, so I thought I would chime in.

Overall, there are many reasons to get this. I have the three original issue discs and this set sounds much better. There are bonus tracks, but they are mostly just "there" - a notable exception is a long slow blues on the live disc where Buddy really shows off (in a good way). The price is certainly right.

The thing that makes it a must-have is, of course, the music. Fans of modern/recent Buddy may be surprised, especially by disc one. This disc alone is priceless. Buddy is soooo cool on this one, the best cuts being the slow ones. The drummer is the legendary Fred Below - blues fans should know his work from the countless recordings he played on. Fred adds much to the music. The pianist is the perhaps even more legendary Otis Spann, and his contributions are amazing. On bass is the enigmatic Jack Meyers, who plays unique but always perfect bass lines.

The live disc suffers a bit from some of Buddy's over-the-top playing and singing. That said, there are great moments. Several cuts just burn (1,2,5 & 9) and I may have overlooked some good ones - sorry.

The third disc is not as good - that's the conventional wisdom. It certainly does have its moments, and should not be quickly dismissed. You could always think of it as a bonus disc!

Great sound, great performances and a great price. A winner.