Buddy's first full length album
r.j. zurek | Cape Coral, FL United States | 04/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's hard to believe that Buddy Guy's first album, "Left My Blues in San Francisco" wasn't released until 1967, but at that time the Chess brothers simply did not know what to do with the young bluesman.
Buddy first moved to Chicago in 1957. After cutting four sides for the Cobra label, he signed with Chess records mainly as a sideman for Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Willie Dixon. During this time, Buddy recorded in a style influenced by B.B. King, but he longed to stretch out as a showman and "blast that thing" in the style of Guitar Slim, a wild player from Guy's home state of Louisiana. "San Francisco" is an example of Buddy's style right before leaving Chess, playing in a restrained manner heavy on soul.
One of the reasons this album works so well is the production and tenor sax work of Gene Barge. Known as"Daddy G", Barge plays the solos on Koko Taylor's "Wang Dang Doodle" (Buddy is on this track also] and all of Gary "U.S." Bonds' hits.He knew where to add horns and when to spotlight Guy's guitar.
"She Suits Me to a Tee" makes it's first appearance here, as does the rollicking "Every Girl I See". The soulful groove throughout the album shows a style different from his later recordings. Of course, many superior albums would follow over the decades, but "San Francisco" is a great snapshot of the young Guy finding his voice.
The Universal Japan import is remastered and contains three extra tracks-well worth the extra few dollars."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1