Customer Reviews

Skin Deep

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The sixth track on this album, "Out In The Woods," begins as a twisted alliance between super-distorted electric guitar and acoustic slide...with Buddy informing us that he has wolf blood in his veins...and it crawls along at a slow, deadly simmer until he proclaims "LET ME EXPLAIN THIS"...

Then it's Buddy in full Kingsnake mode, claiming the throne, smacking down the contenders.

With John Lee and Muddy gone, Buddy is the last of a dying breed. This is raw, brutal, dangerous music. The Silvertone releases, with the possible exception of Heavy Love, have been extremely rewarding. "Skin Deep" is the heaviest album since Sweet Tea, and it can be appreciated on a number of levels. First, there's no shortage of guitar. Second, the vocals are attitude-filled and emotive. Finally, Buddy just HITS it from the first note and doesn't let up. There's no filler, no weak tracks, no throwaways. You get a few changes in tempo for variety but this is the guy who walked out on the Rolling Stones' stage in Shine a Light and reminded them of how it's DONE. As Mick Jagger said, "Buddy **********ing Guy."

In my opinion, Buddy's last Silvertone release, "Bring 'em In," suffered from guest stars that overshadowed the affair, making Buddy sound like second fiddle on his own record. While there's still guest stars aplenty on "Skin Deep," Buddy sounds a lot more in control of his own rodeo, and the guest stars definitely sound like they are here to support Buddy, and not the other way around.

Sonically, "Skin Deep" does indeed have a clean and mondern sound, which may disappoint some looking for a down 'n' dirty blues album. Buddy's guitar is still dirty and gritty, though, and it's pushed to the forefront in all its nasty glory.

This album is being hyped as Buddy's first release with all-orignal tunes. That being said, there are a few throwaway songs that don't bring much depth to the proceedings ("Hammer and a Nail," "Smell the Funk"), but there was bound to be a little filler. Buddy does deliver the goods on every tune, however. He even delivers on the title tune, which can only be considered adult contemporary schmaltz. It's a hammy anti-racism tune, but Buddy delivers the lines with conviction and turns in a fine performance.

At 72, people might be expecting Buddy to have lost a step or two, but his guitar is still capable of peeling paint off of the walls, and his terrific singing voice has barely aged a day. In fact, Buddy sounds as energized and vibrant as I've heard him in some time. He sang "Done Got Old" several years ago, but now, he seems more content to throw away his Geritol, crank his amp to 10, and let the good times roll.

The songs themselves are mostly strong, with the occasional filler tune, like I already mentioned. This isn't exactly the "Buddy returning to his roots" record that has been promised before, but there is some straight-ahead blues to be found here, such as on "Lyin' Like a Dog," "Out in the Woods," (complete with tasty acoustic slide guitar) and "Who's Gonna Fill Those Shoes." The rest of the tunes have soul, R&B and rock elements to them, but not in such heavy doses that you'll ever forget you're listening to a Buddy Guy album.

All in all, "Skin Deep" is a really fun listen. Buddy's singing and playing are in fine form, and he delivers great performances throughout. While some of the tunes certainly won't stand up to his legendary back catalog, Buddy just sounds like he's having too darn much fun for me to give this album a lower rating.

Buddy Guy will be seventy-two-years-old on July 30th 2008, and he simply defies the hands-of-time. This CD highlights a voice that is as strong as a man half his age. He still effortlessly hits the high notes at absolute full throttle without the slightest sign of effort. The energy that emanates from his guitar, when he "bends" the strings like blues strings were meant to be bent.... has been matched by only a select few guitarists in modern blues history. Guest appearances by Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Robert Randolph, Eric Clapton, and the Memphis Horns, among others, simply helps elevate this CD to a "classic" level.

This CD contains twelve songs totaling approximately fifty-eight minutes of Blues. Included within the twelve songs, are two tunes over five-minutes-and forty-seconds in length... and two songs that are over seven-minutes long. As true electric blue's fans will attest to... once you really get the blues... you need more than five minutes to fully appreciate them.

This release reinforces once again... that... BUDDY GUY... IS THE GREATEST LIVING ELECTRIC BLUES PERFORMER. This is a must buy CD.

You want some strong blues by the best players around, this is your CD. Guy plays some funky hard guitar here and he's got Robert Randolph (who some say is the next Jimi Hendrix) and Eric Clapton right up there playing with him. And if you want some serious gritty female vocals, there's always Susan Tedeschi.

I usually mention a couple of favorites. So far, "Out in the Woods" is the song that's gotten the most repeats. Think New Orleans bayou on a full moon night with the loup garous howling. This is one where Randolph plays, and the guitars are just howling.

"Best Damn Fool," which is the CD opener, epitomizes the blues sentiment.

Guy and Tedeschi were intended to sing together. Just listen to the two of them on "Too Many Tears."

I have a feeling this one's not going to get out of my CD player for a long time. My prediction is "Skin Deep" is going to be one of the best albums of 2008.

Rebecca Kyle, August 2008

Buddy Guy remains one of the few artists that I actually track CD release dates. Silvertone has done wonders for his well deserved career creating some of the best music regardless of preference for blues or guitar rock.

The first half of this CD is terrific, especially the first two tracks- a classic, paint peeling Buddy jam followed by a great ensemble with Trucks and Tedeschi. My interest faded over the second half of the disc and I started to wonder where my copies of Sweet Tea, Slippin' In and Feels Like Rain had gone. Good but not great.

I have ti disagree with the negative vibe the 1st reviewer put out. The "real" Buddy Guy" has always been about sharing his music, and the spotlight, he gives back. If you have seen him in recent years, his stage shows are all over the place, as if he is trying to show you a little bit of everything before you go home. Well a little bit of everything is here. From the good choice of Tom Hambridge as co writer, to the solid , clear production. The playing is Buddy, "intense" The guests are his friends, and or people he wants to showcase, much like what was done for him as the Blues got a re birth in the late 80's and early ninties. Buddy is Buddy, still smokin"
Tom McGrath

This is Buddy Guy at his best. His distinctive voice and style are skillfully showcased on this CD. Great listening for blues fans!

God Bless Buddy Guy...he's one in a million. Approaching 72 years young and on fire. As one reviewer noted, he walked on stage in Shine A Light and had the Stones in awe...amazing performance there and it carried over to Skin Deep. Brilliant showman, strong voice, amazing guitar...and along the way still humble to his roots...Buddy, may you live to 100 and kick a** all the way there.

Buddy really cuts loose on this cd, this is a return to 90's releases prior to his later "rootsy" forays. Literally every song is an extended jam with incredible soloing by Buddy throughout. No filler here, I like every song and they don't all just sound the same, either. This release is definitely blues rock, so if you are a blues purist this one probably isn't for you. To sum up: there is some guitar playing here that is not to be missed.

WOW! This is Buddy's Best studio cd,by far. Every song smoke's..may be the best blue's cd,i've heard in year's