The Blues Is Alive and Well

Released in 2018, The Blues Is Alive and Well serves as a definitive late-career statement for Buddy Guy, earning him the Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album. Recorded when Guy was 81, the album is notably preoccupied with mortality, legacy, and the passage of time, as evidenced by tracks like 'A Few Good Years' and 'When My Day Comes'. Despite the heavy themes, the record maintains Guy's reputation for high-voltage Chicago blues, featuring guest appearances from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, and James Bay. The recording context is deeply personal, with the cover art featuring Guy in his birthplace of Lettsworth, Louisiana. Critically, the album was praised for Guy's vocal longevity and his continued ability to deliver 'paint-peeling' guitar solos. It stands as a bridge between the raw West Side sound of the 1950s and the polished blues-rock of the 21st century, cementing Guy's status as the genre's preeminent elder statesman.