Blues Legend Buddy Guy to Release Star-Studded New Album *Ain’t Done with the Blues* on His 89th Birthday**
**Byline:** *July 25, 2025 — Chicago*
In a move that has electrified fans across the globe, blues icon **Buddy Guy** has announced the release of his highly anticipated new studio album, *Ain’t Done with the Blues*, scheduled to drop on **July 30, 2025**, his **89th birthday**.
The album, his first since 2022’s *The Blues Don’t Lie*, is already being hailed as a triumph — not just for its musicality and deep emotional range, but for its impressive list of collaborators, including **Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Gary Clark Jr., John Mayer, and Joe Bonamassa**, among others. The project is not only a celebration of Guy’s unmatched legacy but a bold statement: at 89, **he’s not slowing down — he’s doubling down**.
A Return to the Studio with Purpose
Recorded over the course of 14 months between Chicago, Nashville, and New Orleans, *Ain’t Done with the Blues* began as a quiet side project during a brief break in Guy’s extensive touring schedule. But what started as a simple idea soon grew into a full-blown celebration of Guy’s impact on generations of musicians.
“Buddy still plays like he’s got something to prove,” said **Tom Hambridge**, the album’s longtime producer and co-writer. “And honestly? He does. He’s not just making music. He’s making history.”
Each track on the album bears the weight of lived experience, a soulful reminder that Guy has seen nearly every evolution of American music over seven decades — and helped shape many of them.
Tracklist Sneak Peek
The album features **12 tracks**, a mix of original compositions and fresh takes on traditional blues standards. Highlights include:
* **“Born with the Blues”** – A fiery opening track with Gary Clark Jr., blending Guy’s raw guitar tone with Clark’s smooth phrasing.
* **“Chicago Nights”** – A moody, jazz-infused tribute to Guy’s adopted hometown, featuring pianist **Herbie Hancock** in a surprise cameo.
Ain’t Done Yet” – A gritty, autobiographical anthem co-written with John Mayer, who also trades licks with Guy in one of the album’s most powerful solos.
* **“Whispers in the Delta”** – A haunting duet with **Bonnie Raitt**, recorded live with minimal production, capturing the spiritual essence of the Mississippi blues.
* **“The Last Train Home”** – A tribute to Guy’s mentor Muddy Waters, closing the album with a stunning harmonica performance by **Charlie Musselwhite**.
—
A Gathering of Generations
More than just a Buddy Guy record, *Ain’t Done with the Blues* is a bridge between generations of musicians — a passing of the torch, even as the torchbearer refuses to dim his flame.
“He’s the bridge between the origin of the blues and where it’s going next,” said **Joe Bonamassa**, who appears on the track *“Six Strings and a Prayer.”* “To stand in a room with Buddy and trade solos is like shaking hands with history.”
**Eric Clapton**, long a fan and friend of Guy’s, called the album “the most urgent and powerful statement Buddy has made in years.”
“Every note is soaked in fire and wisdom,” Clapton said. “He’s proving that blues isn’t about age — it’s about soul.”
A Personal Touch
Guy’s voice on the album is as commanding as ever — gravelly, emotional, sometimes playful, always honest. On *“Mama’s Hands,”* a deeply personal acoustic track, he reflects on his childhood in Lettsworth, Louisiana, and the strength of his mother’s influence. The song ends with a spoken-word outro — a heartfelt memory of the first time he held a guitar.
“I was six years old,” Guy says softly. “And I swear, the moment I touched those strings, the world opened up.”
Buddy Guy at 89: Still Touring, Still Teaching
Despite turning 89, Guy continues to tour, appearing at festivals and intimate venues alike, never far from the stage. He recently completed a mini-residency at **Legends**, his legendary Chicago blues club, playing three sold-out nights to packed houses.
Off-stage, Guy remains a fierce advocate for **music education**, donating proceeds from the new album to the **Buddy Guy Foundation**, which funds instruments and scholarships for underprivileged youth in Chicago and the Mississippi Delta.
“When I was young, we didn’t have nothing but our voices and broken strings,” Guy recently told *Rolling Stone*. “Now I want every kid with a dream to have a guitar in their hands.”
Industry Buzz and Early Reviews
Even before its release, *Ain’t Done with the Blues* has received critical acclaim. Pre-release listening parties in Los Angeles and New York drew standing ovations from critics and musicians alike. Early reviews from industry insiders praise the album’s authenticity and emotional depth.
**AllMusic** called it “a masterclass in modern blues — vibrant, raw, and deeply human.”
**Mojo Magazine** declared it “a farewell letter that reads more like a battle cry.”
**The New York Times** described it as “Buddy Guy’s love letter to the blues, written in the blood, sweat, and strings of 70 years.”
Fans React
For longtime fans, the album is both a celebration and a comfort.
“Buddy’s music helped me through my hardest times,” said Angela Rivers, a 42-year-old teacher from Detroit. “Hearing him still recording, still fighting — it reminds me that we’re never too old to chase purpose.”
Social media has exploded with anticipation. The hashtag AintDoneWithTheBlues** trended on Twitter within hours of the album’s announcement.
Looking Ahead: No Slowing Down
When asked whether this might be his final album, Buddy Guy simply laughed.
“I ain’t done,” he said, flashing his signature smile. “As long as my fingers work, and my heart beats, I’m gonna play the blues.”
Indeed, *Ain’t Done with the Blues* doesn’t feel like a farewell — it feels like a **renewal**. A vivid, soul-stirring declaration that **the blues live on**, and so does the man who has carried them through decades of change, pain, joy, and fire.
Final Thoughts
At 89, Buddy Guy remains not just a musical legend but a cultural force — a beacon of resilience, generosity, and soul. *Ain’t Done with the Blues* is more than an album. It’s a **testament**, a **celebration**, and a **defiant declaration** that age has nothing on passion, and the blues… well, the blues never dies
And neither, it seems, does Buddy.Read
READ more at(sportonyou.com)
