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When I Left Home cover art

When I Left Home

By: David Ritz, Buddy Guy
Narrated by: Mirron Willis
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Summary

According to Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy is the greatest blues guitarist of all time. An enormous influence on these musicians as well as on Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, he is the living embodiment of Chicago blues.

Guy’s epic story stands at the absolute nexus of modern blues. He came to Chicago from rural Louisiana in the fifties - the very moment when urban blues were electrifying our culture. He was a regular session player at Chess Records. Willie Dixon was his mentor. He was a sideman in the bands of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. He and Junior Wells formed a band of their own. In the sixties, he became a recording star in his own right.

When I Left Home tells Guy’s picaresque story in his own words, those of a storyteller who remembers everything, including blues masters in their prime and the exploding, evolving culture of music that happened all around him.

Buddy Guy was born in 1936 in Lettsworth, Louisiana. He is considered among the best blues guitarists alive today. He lives in Chicago.

©2012 Buddy Guy with David Ritz (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Buddy has never failed to amaze me first as an artist and secondly as a beautiful guy…Long may he give us his gift.” (Keith Richards)
“Buddy Guy was to me what Elvis was for others…[He] is by far and without a doubt the best guitar player alive.” (Eric Clapton)
“Guy is a vibrant and hilarious storyteller. With a natural ease and honesty, he captures the spirit of the age, the culture of violence in the clubs, and the personalities of his colleagues...Highly recommended for any fan of Guy and those interested in the history of blues music.” ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about When I Left Home

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Very enjoyable

What a privilege to hear this humble man's life story! Love his music, and love this book. The narrator is a little cold, the book is quite emotional, heck its the blues book!

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  • Overall
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Blues Story to listen to

Quite good, to hear about Buddy’s life and struggles in music and the blues world

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  • Overall
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Buddy Guy - Legend!

I'm a huge fan of Mr Buddy Guy's music and found this autobiography really inspiring. His love of blues, his humility and reverence for the players that inspired and mentored him are evidenced throughout this book. It's also hilarious in places! Really hope that one day I get a chance to visit Chicago and see Legends for myself. Thank you Mr Guy.

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Riveting

A truly inspiring story that is excellently told and delivered and stirs every emotion. A real treat.

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Great book, makes you want to play the blues

Great book about a great blues guitarist who comes across as humble and nice. love most of the characters but muddy waters has gone down somewhat in my estimation.

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  • 09-01-22

Fascinating tale of a Blues Legend

I walk whilst listening so never fail to be imbursed in the books ut this was a great story. Great insight into the blues and music business and how a young black musician felt at that time.

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Brilliant...

Anyone who understands the speaking voice behind the notes and chords entwined in the blues.....a musical language that is felt in a way only those who lived the blues over a lifetime...short or long....will absolutely appreciate what Buddy shares.. thanks so much!!!

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The best book I’ve ever listened to!!

Yes I love the blues, but what a story, what a life, I laughed, I cried, what a truly humble human being. If you love the blues and want an audio book you can’t put down, then this is for you. On an extra note the performance is truly amazing, it feels like buddy himself is narrating.

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Buddy Guy - a blues great

Wonderful and humbling to hear the story of this great inspiration to many modern blues artists. We forget how hard life is for some and how much blind faith played into their hands. Were it not for Buddy and artists like him, we would have such rich history in this music that shaped modern rock and pop genres.

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Some stories about legends

Buddy guy tells his story, some great anecdotes about his time in Chicago. Chess records and Jr wells ..

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