Buddy Guy: Blues Singer

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating: * * * *)

One of the most durable and powerful Chicago bluesmen - who influenced Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clapton and others with his hard guitar sound and flamboyant stage manner - delivered one of the finest albums of his career two years back with the gritty Sweet Tea.

This time he turns the volume and mood down for an intimate, understated but emotionally deep collection of classic blues material which includes Hard Time Killing Floor, Crawlin' King Snake, I Love the Life I Live, Moanin' and Groanin' and other blues standards. An unplugged series of sessions on which he sings like a man possessed of the spirit which inspired him - and the late John Lee Hooker to whom this is dedicated.

Those who've heard only Guy's electric powerhouse side or want originals will have to reset their compass, but these are the roots of that sound and he still feels them keenly, as these songs show.

Label: Silvertone