Buddy Guy fell into a comfortable groove with producer/drummer Tom Hambridge way back in 2008, when they joined forces for the fine set Skin Deep. The Blues Don't Lie is their fifth album since then, a streak that includes two Grammy-Award winning albums. Such success is a clear indication that Guy and Hambridge found a comfortable, relaxed groove long ago, so maybe it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that The Blues Don't Lie sounds relaxed and comfortable, a clean execution of familiar sounds enlivened by guests. Here, ...
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Buddy Guy fell into a comfortable groove with producer/drummer Tom Hambridge way back in 2008, when they joined forces for the fine set Skin Deep. The Blues Don't Lie is their fifth album since then, a streak that includes two Grammy-Award winning albums. Such success is a clear indication that Guy and Hambridge found a comfortable, relaxed groove long ago, so maybe it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that The Blues Don't Lie sounds relaxed and comfortable, a clean execution of familiar sounds enlivened by guests. Here, Guy invites blues singers Mavis Staples, Wendy Moten, and Bobby Rush along with rockers Elvis Costello, Jason Isbell, and James Taylor, each musician enjoying their time in the studio as much as Guy. Whether it's the gnarled "Symptoms of Love" or the breezy "Follow the Money," these six cuts are the highlights of The Blues Don't Lie, giving the record a bit of a spark. Elsewhere, Guy sounds appealing -- perhaps his voice is a little too digitally polished, but that's countered by his guitar, which still sounds muscular -- but ever so slightly too cozy. It's so laid-back that The Blues Don't Lie is as close to a chill-out record that Buddy Guy has ever cut. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
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