Butt Naked Free is an album by the American musician Guy Davis, released in 2000.[2][3] The album title was inspired by a dance performed by Davis's son during the recording sessions, although it was ultimately selected by Red House Records.[4] Davis supported the album with North American and United Kingdom tours.[5][6] Butt Naked Free was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for best "Acoustic Blues Album".[7] The album was a success on public and college radio stations.[8]

Butt Naked Free
Studio album by
Released2000
GenreBlues, acoustic blues, folk[1]
LabelRed House
ProducerJohn Platania
Guy Davis chronology
You Don't Know My Mind
(1998)
Butt Naked Free
(2000)
Give in Kind
(2002)

Production

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The album was produced by John Platania.[9] Davis used a 12-string guitar on the album.[10] Levon Helm played drums on some of the tracks; Tom Wolk contributed on bass.[11][12] "Raining in My Soul" is dedicated to Oscar Brown III, the son of Oscar Brown.[13] "Writing Paper Blues" is a cover of the Blind Willie McTell song.[14] McTell was a chief influence on Davis's decision to tell stories through his songs.[15] "Sometimes I Wish..." was inspired by Reverend Gary Davis's "Death Don't Have No Mercy".[16]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [17]
Calgary Herald    [18]
Robert Christgau   [19]
DownBeat     [3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [20]
The Gazette     [11]
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings    [16]

The Calgary Herald noted that "this is not blues for an all-night whiskey binge or for shaking your booty... It's more of a beer on the back porch, stroll in the park collection."[18] The Gazette wrote that "Davis has evolved from a traditional revivalist into one of the pre-eminent singer-songwriter-guitarists in acoustic blues music."[11] The Democrat and Chronicle called the album "a smooth ride on enchantingly shambling rhythms and Davis' voice: a phlegmatic-bluesman's rumble, salted with the gravel of the Southern roads of the music's heritage."[21] The Times Colonist praised the "wise, passionate, organic reshaping of archaic forms."[22] The Times stated: "A confident and assured songwriter, Davis uses the McTell pattern book to create his own tales of lowlife ways."[23]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Talkin' 'bout Wings 'n' Brew" 
2."Waiting on the Cards to Fall" 
3."Let Me Stay Awhile" 
4."Writing Paper Blues" 
5."Sometimes I Wish..." 
6."High Flying Rocket" 
7."Never Met No Woman Treats Me Like You Do" 
8."Sugarbelle Blue" 
9."Meet Me Where the River Turns" 
10."My Rambling Ways" 
11."Come On Sally Hitch a Ride" 
12."Ain't No Bluesman" 
13."The Place Where I Come From (Butt Naked Free)" 
14."Raining in My Soul" 

References

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  1. ^ Evans, David (2005). The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Blues. Penguin Publishing Group. p. 198.
  2. ^ Muretich, James (16 Mar 2000). "Critic's Pick". Calgary Herald. p. HL28.
  3. ^ a b Frank-John, Hadley (Jun 2000). "Axe Grinder". DownBeat. Vol. 67, no. 6. p. 68.
  4. ^ Smiderle, Wes (8 June 2000). "Blues singer Guy Davis has a knack for storytelling". Ottawa Citizen. p. E8.
  5. ^ Hay, Carla (Mar 4, 2000). "Davis' Blues". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 10. p. 38.
  6. ^ Trapp, Roger (11 Nov 2000). "Jazz & Blues". Features. The Independent. p. 38.
  7. ^ Ellis, Bill (14 Jan 2001). "Old, New Artists Top Handys List". The Commercial Appeal. p. B1.
  8. ^ "The Deep Blue Sea". Asbury Park Press. 17 Aug 2001. p. G17.
  9. ^ Kassulke, Natasha (14 Sep 2000). "Guy Davis". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 16.
  10. ^ Derdeyn, Stuart (7 Mar 2000). "Guy Davis". The Province. p. B5.
  11. ^ a b c Regenstreif, Mike (23 Mar 2000). "Blues". The Gazette. p. D15.
  12. ^ Aloi, Daniel (13 July 2000). "Arts fest has the blues". Star-Gazette. p. D2.
  13. ^ Levesque, Roger (18 Mar 2000). "Bluesman likes to tell stories and make music". Edmonton Journal. p. C7.
  14. ^ Gil de Rubio, David (26 Apr 2000). "Guy Davis 'Butt Naked Free'". Newsday. p. C6.
  15. ^ "Preview". Portland Press Herald. 15 Mar 2001. p. 12D.
  16. ^ a b The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 156.
  17. ^ "Butt Naked Free Review by Matt Fink". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  18. ^ a b McCoy, Heath Jon (23 Mar 2000). "Guy Davis Butt Naked Free". Calgary Herald. p. HL16.
  19. ^ "Guy Davis". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  20. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. p. 762.
  21. ^ Spevak, Jeff (6 Apr 2000). "Bluesman nurtures the spirit through life's trials". Democrat and Chronicle. p. E6.
  22. ^ Blake, Joseph (17 Apr 2001). "Beautiful blues, live or on CD". Times Colonist. p. D8.
  23. ^ Clarke, John (April 29, 2000). "Blues Choice". The Times. p. Metro 12.