Artist: Buddy Guy Album: Breaking Out

Year: 1981
Duration: 0:0-1

Breaking Out: A Critical Review of Buddy Guy’s Album

Breaking Out is an album released in 1980 by blues musician, Buddy Guy. The album marked a significant shift in Guy’s career as it showcased his transition from being a classic blues artist to a more contemporary blues artist. Buddy Guy’s talent and skillful guitar playing are evident in Breaking Out, a classic album that blends blues with rock and roll.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Breaking Out and highlight some of the best songs in the album, discuss its innovative parts, and offer an overall critique of this blues album.

Buddy Guy’s music career dates back to the 1950s when he started playing in Chicago’s clubs. He went on to work with many blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Little Walter. Consequently, Buddy Guy’s music has been influenced by many greats. His style of music is described as Chicago Blues, which has a distinct sound from Delta Blues. In Breaking Out, Buddy Guy adopts a more contemporary style, with a blend of rock and roll and blues.

Before analyzing the album, let us acknowledge the best songs in Breaking Out which are: “I Didn't Know My Mother Had a Son Like Me,” “Breaking Out on Top,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” and “Midnight Rain.” These songs stand out for their unique sound, lyrics, and astonishing guitar solos that showcase Buddy Guy’s virtuosity. “I Didn't Know My Mother Had a Son Like Me” starts off with a classic blues riff and then carries on with lyrics that speak to Guy’s own story. “Breaking Out on Top” is a song that details Buddy Guy’s musical journey, while “Love Me or Leave Me” is a slower ballad that highlights Guy’s vocal range. “Midnight Rain,” a classic blues song, is a melancholic tune filled with guitar licks and soulful lyrics that are a standout of the album.

The most innovative part of Breaking Out is how Buddy Guy offers the listener a blend of classic blues with rock and roll. The album was recorded in New York, and as a result, it has a different sound than previous albums that Guy has recorded in Chicago. The album, produced by legendary jazz bassist Stanley Clarke, also features a brand new sound with electric guitars and a more progressive approach to blues music.

Although Breaking Out is a commendable album, it does fall short in some areas. The production quality might be off-putting to some, especially those who are used to Guy’s classic sound. The album is also top-heavy, with most of the best songs being at the beginning of the album.

In conclusion, Breaking Out is an excellent album that showcases Buddy Guy’s talent and skillful guitar playing. With its blend of blues and rock and roll, it offers a sound that is different from classic blues. The album, however, falls short in terms of production quality and pacing. Nevertheless, Breaking Out stands as one of Buddy Guy’s most important releases and cements his position as one of the greatest blues musicians of all time. Anyone who loves blues music, especially one with a mix of rock and roll, should give Breaking Out a listen.

In conclusion, Breaking Out is an excellent album that showcases Buddy Guy’s talent and skillful guitar playing. With its blend of blues and rock and roll, it offers a sound that is different from classic blues. The album, however, falls short in terms of production quality and pacing. Nevertheless, Breaking Out stands as one of Buddy Guy’s most important releases and cements his position as one of the greatest blues musicians of all time. Anyone who loves blues music, especially one with a mix of rock and roll, should give Breaking Out a listen.