Buddy Guy: Living Proof — review

Buddy Guy is arguably the most influential blues guitarist of his generation. His stratospheric solo on "74 Years Young" shows where Hendrix found inspiration, while Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan et al borrowed from his tone and phrasing. Living Proof is an autobiographical suite, hatched with producer/drummer Tom Hambridge after the latter taped Guy's reminiscences. It's an engaging, uncompromising affair, charting Guy's ascent from Louisiana roots to Chicago success, en route lamenting lost loves and savaging ex-wives. Anger and flamboyance alternate with reflective pieces such as "Everybody's Got To Go" and "Stay Around", an almost sombre duet with BB King.