Heavy Love

Performer: Buddy Guy
Artist: Steve Cropper; Jonny Lang; Reese Wynans; Richie Hayward
Engineer: David Z
Producer: David Z
Distributor: BMG (distributor)

Notes: Personnel: Buddy Guy (vocals, guitar); Jack Holder, Steve Cropper, Jonny Lang (guitar); Reese Wynans (keyboards); David M. Smith (bass); Richie Hayward (drums); David Z (percussion). Recorded at Sound Kitchen, Nashville, Tennessee. HEAVY LOVE was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Personnel: Buddy Guy (vocals, guitar); Jack Holder, Jonny Lang, Steve Cropper (guitar); Reese Wynans (keyboards); Richard Hayward (drums); David Z. (percussion); Jessica Boucher, Bekka Bramlett (background vocals). Audio Mixers: David Z. ; Ed Cherney. Recording information: Sound Kitchen, Nashville, TN. Unknown Contributor Role: Richard Hayward. Apparently, Buddy Guy subscribes to the theory "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Losing commercial ground to the blonde young guns of Johnny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Guy hired their producer, David Z., and set out to record an album of loud, frenzied blues-rock. Purists will cringe at the unabashed commercial concessions Guy makes on Heavy Love -- sure, he covers "Midnight Train," but it's a duet with Johnny Lang, and it complements the funkified "I Just Wanna Make Love to You," the psychedelicized licks, and the ZZ Top cover ("I Need You Tonight") heard elsewhere. Nevertheless, Heavy Love works well when compared to the modern electric blues of the post-Stevie Ray Vaughan era, especially since Guy once again contributes some scorching solos. Granted, his playing may veer too close to rock for some tastes, but anyone wanting an uninhibited, hard rocking Buddy Guy record won't be disappointed with Heavy Love. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Following a trilogy of records that solidified Buddy Guy's early 90's comeback, HEAVY LOVE shows off the funkier side of this blues legend, with a few modern touches tossed into the mix. With former Prince sideman David Z as a producer, Guy's updated touches include using a syncopated, hip-hoppy rhythm track on the blues standard "I Just Want To Make Love To You." Although he's known for playing with a ferocity that's influenced everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton, Guy's playing is more economical this time out. Much like Steve Cropper (who contributes guitar throughout), BG's fluid licks bob and weave whether it's off the percolating rhythm of the title track or on the equally bubbly "I Got A Problem." Elsewhere, Guy returns to his roots for a swinging version of Louis Jordan's "Saturday Night Fish Fry" and a bouncy cover of the soul chestnut "Are You Lonely For Me Baby." Guy also plays mentor to teenage prodigy Jonny Lang when both trade licks and vocals on "Midnight Train."

Entertainment Weekly (6/5/98, p.85) - "Blues wild man Guy tones down the fretboard fireworks on his most consistent effort since 1991's DAMN RIGHT, I GOT THE BLUES, focusing instead on tight songs, concise, off-kilter solos, funk-tinged grooves, and impassioned vocals..." - Rating: B+ Vibe (6-7/98, p.179) - "...HEAVY LOVE keeps things fresh by embracing ZZ Top, acoustic balladry, jump blues, even dance music textures without sounding...gratuitously eclectic..."

Eric Clapton once called Buddy Guy "the greatest blues guitarist ever." Guy, along with contemporary Magic Sam, took the sounds of Chicago blues of the 1950s and ratcheted them up a notch, in the process creating a new form of controlled blues mayhem. Born in Louisiana, he moved to Chicago as a young man in 1957 and served an apprenticeship with Chicago blues king Muddy Waters while getting his own solo career underway. Guy's frequent collaborations with harmonica player Junior Wells are among his best work.

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