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]
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]
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]
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