GREAT STORY - GREAT NARRATOR

As a music industry veteran of 44 years, I was a little wary of a musician trying to be an author. I'm a strong believer that people should "play their positions", I.e., stick with what you know. I can't tell you how many major NBA and NFL players have asked me to help them start a record label with NO experience, like I didn't put in decades and years of law school in order "to play my game". Championship rings and a spare $5 million does not make you into Barry Gordy or Jimmy Iovine or even ME! I would never presume to play one-on-one with Shaq - why did he think he could rap???

But blues great Buddy Guy successfully pulled off this change in careers. He had a co-writer and a very good one. This story is well told, honest, entertaining and educational. I started my career in recording about 10 years after Guy, at the height of his popularity. His depiction of the business at that time is on the money. Narrator Mirron Willis - one of my favorites - is the perfect narrator. His mellifluous engaging voice keeps the action moving while "keeping it real" with true-to-life depiction of not only the voices of black people but how we say things which can mean something different based on our intonation. This is the REAL story behind the "Cadillac Records" movie without the poor gratuitous casting of the wooden Beyoncé Knowles as Etta James, plus more about the Chicagoblues players like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and Junior Wells, plus B.B. King and Ike Turner, who inspired white artists like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and John Mayer. Buddy Guy's life story is one of a phenomenal talent who retained his good heart and respect for others in an industry that will make a lesser being sell his soul to the devil.

9 people found this helpful

Excellent History and Respect for The Blues

Would you listen to When I Left Home again? Why?

There's a lot of history here. It is told in a very personal way, fully accessible and very listenable. Great to get such perspective from Buddy Guy and those who were there during this era of Blues awareness.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No question, Buddy Guy although those he comes in contact with each have their own appeal.

Have you listened to any of Mirron Willis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I might. It took a bit to adjust to Willis's performance but once I got into his rhythm it was a joy ride

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It makes me want to venture to the areas of the country central to the book and walk the steps Buddy Guy walked alongside so many legends

Any additional comments?

It's a terrific compliment to Gregg Allman's book - great background on what was happening in the music industry told through the eyes of a couple of central figures.

5 people found this helpful

The Unsung Hero of the Blues is Getting His Due

Would you consider the audio edition of When I Left Home to be better than the print version?

I'm not sure if the audio version is better than the printed version. Having seen Buddy Guy perform in many different settings, I imagine his voice different than the audio of the Narrator. That having been said, Mirron Willis does not detract from the story.

What other book might you compare When I Left Home to and why?

None

Would you listen to another book narrated by Mirron Willis?

I would listen to another book narrated by Mirron Willis. He did a fantastic job with the details of the voice that made each character in the narrative distinctly different.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This was indeed a book that I wanted to listen to all in one sitting if that was possible for me.

Any additional comments?

I think Buddy did a good job sharing his life with his audience. However, I found myself wanting more details or more of his life's tales. Especially more of the interpersonal experiences of the day to day, not just the life defining moments of his career.

Great book for a lover of the blues!

3 people found this helpful

A must for blues fans

This one is, indeed, a must for blues fans. Buddy Guy's story is compelling--from working in cotton as a child to being a world-wide acclaimed guitarist. The history he tells of other blues musicians over the decades, however, is priceless. After listening to this, you will probably be a greater fan of Buddy's and you will have loved all the stories he told along the way.

2 people found this helpful

Buddy Guy is simply the best

Hearing Buddy's words about his life and the greats who helped him on his way (Muddy Waters, Howlin'Wolf, BB King) was simply fantastic. Just wish some of his music came with it. Oh well......just had to go to Amazon.

1 person found this helpful

Buddy

Great story starting from days in Louisiana and the struggles of making it to Chicago and trying to keep blues alive with those that helped along the way.

Good storyteller

I enjoyed hearing all the stories about the blues musicians. I love the blues and brings memories of the 60’s and 70’s.

love this book and the legendary stories

imagine buddy guy didn't get his due recognition from the music industry until he turned 55!
but the blues and rock scene definitely treated him as a legend decades earlier.
can't wait to go to his club Legends!

Wonderful life story of a blues legend

I have been a fan of Buddy Guys for over 25 years. I always wanted to know more about his life. This book is a look into his life story with all of its ups and downs. Intertwining his life movements and music with legendary friends and musicians. If it were a movie I would watch it a thousand times. Buddy Guy is an American legend.

Story great, Narrator alien

This over-articulated narrator made Buddy’s story difficult to hear. Whoever rejected a narrator closer to the soul, LA cotton or Chicago earth- Why ever not? Who is this rendition really created for? Not the folks who came from there. How can you prettify his voice when his music is so valid?