Confessions of a Fanboy

Rock and Roll and Blues Hall of Famer Buddy Guy returns with Skin Deep, his first studio album since 2005’s Bring ‘Em In. The 72-year-old music icon has, over the course of his illustrious career, won five Grammys, 23 W.C. Handy (Blues Music) Awards, Billboard Magazine’s Century Award, and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. The man is a bona fide national treasure.

Since Bring ‘Em In, Guy released his first career-spanning box set Can’t Quit The Blues and is featured in Martin Scorsese’s Rolling Stones film Shine A Light, stealing the stage from Mick and Keith on a ferocious cover of Muddy Waters’ “Champagne and Reefer.”

Skin Deep is 12 songs, 58 minutes, and features guest appearances from Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph, the husband-wife duo of Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers Band) and Susan Tedeschi, and pre-teen prodigy Quinn Sullivan. I’ve often wondered why a guitarist of Guy’s pedigree would bring in other players for cameos on his records. It turns out he has an answer for that.

“I just try to get the best players, and hope I can pop the top off this can and show that the blues are back,” said Guy. “I learn from them — bring them in and see what they can do. And these guys got me feeling like when I was 22 years old and went into the studio with Muddy Waters.”

Here is the complete track list for Skin Deep, including links to streaming audio of three cuts from the record:

1. Best Damn Fool (Stream)
2. Too Many Tears
   (feat. Trucks and Tedeschi)
3. Lyin’ Like a Dog
4. Show Me The Money
5. Everytime I Sing The Blues (Stream)
   (feat. Eric Clapton)
6. Out In The Woods (feat. Robert Randolph)
7. Hammer and a Nail
8. That’s My Home
   (feat. Robert Randolph)
9. Skin Deep (Stream)
   (feat. Derek Trucks)
10. Who’s Gonna Fill Those Shoes
    (feat. Quinn Sullivan)
11. Smell The Funk
12. I Found Happiness

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