Today, GA-20 and Charlie Musselwhite have shared the initial spin of “Crazy Love,” the lead single from their forthcoming collaborative album, Blues Now. The project marks a significant convergence of two generations of blues masters, spanning 10 tracks that honor the genre’s rich history while pushing it into the modern era.
Originally sketched by Willie Dixon and famously imagined in the studio by Buddy Guy, “Crazy Love” serves as a testament to this ensemble’s ability to manipulate the foundational elements of the blues tradition. The new rendition is designed to endure, maintaining the integrity of the original while infusing it with a contemporary sensibility.
Photo: Elizabeth Ellenwood
“This song has all of the elements we look for: the attitude, Chicago blues-based, with a soul/garage approach,” Matthew Stubbs explains. “Buddy Guy is a favorite, and this tune is not one easily found. It’s a hidden Buddy Guy gem.”
The track was captured during the sessions for Blues Now in early 2025. During a productive six-day studio stint, GA-20 drew inspiration from legends like Elmore James, Junior Wells, and Eddie Taylor, while also inviting Musselwhite to revisit selections from his own 1968 debut, Stand Back! “We tried to find songs that Charlie had a connection to or artists that he knew personally from Chicago, but also just songs that we liked and thought we could do justice,” Stubbs adds. “We wanted to capture the spirit of that record.”
“We’re so good we have to make mistakes on purpose. Everything went smoothly. Making this album was as easy as falling off a log.” — Charlie Musselwhite
The resulting album, Blues Now, is set for release on July 31, 2026, via New West Records. It promises to bridge the gap between the raw, unabashed energy of 1968 and the modern musical landscape, preserving the artistic integrity that defines the genre.
Blues Now Tracklist:
- 1. Crazy Love
- 2. I Can’t Hold Out
- 3. I’ll Change My Style
- 4. Big Stars Falling
- 5. Universal Rock
- 6. The Blues Never Die
- 7. Strange Land
- 8. Stroll Out West
- 9. Short Dress Woman
- 10. Cristo Redentor