Apparently,
Buddy Guy subscribes to the theory "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Losing commercial ground to the blonde young guns of
Johnny Lang and
Kenny Wayne Shepherd,
Guy hired their producer,
David Z., and set out to record an album of loud, frenzied blues-rock. Purists will cringe at the unabashed commercial concessions
Guy makes on
Heavy Love -- sure, he covers "Midnight Train," but it's a duet with
Johnny Lang, and it complements the funkified "I Just Wanna Make Love to You," the psychedelicized licks, and the
ZZ Top cover ("I Need You Tonight") heard elsewhere. Nevertheless,
Heavy Love works well when compared to the modern electric blues of the post-
Stevie Ray Vaughan era, especially since
Guy once again contributes some scorching solos. Granted, his playing may veer too close to rock for some tastes, but anyone wanting an uninhibited, hard rocking
Buddy Guy record won't be disappointed with
Heavy Love.