Play the Blues
Info
|
Label |
Rhino Records |
|
Released |
May 19, 1992 |
|
Original year of release |
1972 |
|
Recorded |
October 1970 and April 1972 (songs/ 7 and 10) |
|
Total playing time |
37:13 |
|
Producer |
Michael Cuscuna, Tom Dowd, Ahmet Ertegun and Eric Clapton |
|
|
|
Buddy Guy |
Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals |
|
Barry Altschul |
Drums |
|
Stephen Bladd |
Drums |
|
Eric Clapton |
Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm) |
|
J. Geils Band |
Guitar (Rhythm), Band |
|
Jim Gordon |
Drums |
|
Phil Guy |
Guitar |
|
Dr. John |
Piano |
|
Juke Joint Jimmy |
Foot Stomping |
|
Seth Justman |
Piano |
|
Danny Klein |
Bass |
|
Magic Dick |
Harmonica |
|
Jack Myers |
Bass |
|
Carl Radle |
Bass |
|
A.C. Reed |
Saxophone, Sax (Tenor) |
|
Roosevelt Shaw |
Drums |
|
Leroy Stewart |
Bass |
|
Mike Utley |
Piano, Keyboards |
|
Junior Wells |
Harmonica, Vocals |
Tracks
written by |
playing time |
||
| 1. |
Buddy Guy |
4:02 |
|
| 2. |
Sonny Boy Williamson |
3:11 |
|
| 3. |
Junior Wells |
4:23 |
|
| 4. |
Aaron T-bone Walker |
4:19 |
|
| 5. |
Junior Wells |
3:13 |
|
| 6. |
Mel London |
2:15 |
|
| 7. |
Buddy Guy |
3:11 |
|
| 8. |
Willie Mabon |
4:30 |
|
| 9. |
Thomas Davis |
4:15 |
|
| 10. |
Joe Liggins |
3:50 |
Reviews
All-Music Guide (Bill Dahl)
Considering the troubled background of this album (Eric Clapton,
Ahmet Ertegun, and Tom Dowd only ended up with eight tracks at a series
of 1970 sessions in Miami; two years later, the J. Geils Band was brought
in to cut two additional songs/ to round out the long-delayed LP for
1972 release), the results were pretty impressive. Guy contributes dazzling
lead axe to their revival of "T-Bone Shuffle;" Wells provides
a sparkling remake of Sonny Boy's "My Baby She Left Me," and
Guy is entirely credible in a grinding Otis Redding mode on the southern
soul stomper "A Man of Many Words."
Emap (Bill Prince)
Over 21 years before Damn Right, I've Got The Blues kick-started his
dozing career with the help of some rock star mates, Buddy Guy-in the
heavyweight company of Memphis harmonica king Junior Wells -accepted
Eric Clapton's offer to join him at Miami's Criteria studios. In the
afterglow of the Layla And Other Assorted Love songs/ sessions, Eric
Clapton presumably felt he owed himself the company of one of his influences,
and it merely added to these serendipitous circumstances that Dominos
producer Tom Dowd and Atlantic boss Ahmet Ertegun stuck around to apply
their soul production magic to the originals and favourites run down
over the ensuing few days. A Man Of Many Words, featuring Jim Gordon
and Carl Radle on drums and bass respectively, suggests a Derek & The
Dominos outtake. The rest, however, is made of sterner stuff, particularly
Junior Wells's own A Poor Man's Plea, and Thomas Davis's Bad, Bad Whiskey,
strung out on Buddy Guy's fearful vocal and Eric Clapton's shadowy,
acoustic slide fills. Sadly, only eight tracks made it past the studio
door, leaving a young Atlantic Records staff producer to rally Boston's
J. Geils Band to back Buddy Guy on This Old Fool and the sloping instrumental
Honeydripper. The join is by no means invisible, and the absence of
Junior Wells is a shame, but by the general standards of rock star patronage,
this is a valuable work.
Extra Info
This album was recorded in October 1970 in the Criteria Studios, Miami. Unfortunately after the recording sessions only 8 tracks were deemed worthy of release. The tapes languished in the vaults until Michael Cuscuna (a producer) convinced the company to salvage the project by recording two additional tunes. So in April 1972 Buddy went to Boston (Junior was unable to attend) to record 'This old Fool' and 'Honeydripper' together with the J. Geils Band.