Buddy Guy: 1-16-11 at Legends

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By Dave Miller

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A minute into Buddy Guy’s performance Sunday night at Legends, a curveball was thrown at the bluesman. A string broke on his guitar. That could have derailed the start of some shows. Not this one. Guy took advantage of the opportunity, ripping the string off the guitar and using it to play the rest of the strings as if he had been practicing it for ages.  

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It was just one example of the many that followed of just how comfortable Guy is onstage, especially when he’s on his home turf. He’s currently in the middle of his annual January 16-show residency at his club, which recently moved to the other end of the 700 block of South Wabash. The elder statesman gave an intimate performance as if he was playing for a few friends in his living room. He told stories, joked with the crowd and even good-naturedly told a few people to “shut the fuck up” in a generous performance. A funny thing is happening. As Guy, now 74, grows older, his shows are becoming longer compared to recent years. Word is he’s taking better care of himself these days and the pair of shows I’ve seen during his last two residencies and the buzz I’ve heard elsewhere reflect that. He’s in total command of his playing and his singing and the room.

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Besides being one the best guitar players in the history of blues, rock and whatever other kind of music you care to include, Guy is a showman. Some people have criticized his willingness to please the masses, but that’s innately him. And there’s nothing wrong with it the way he performed last night. Sure, he played only snippets of some songs, but he wound up playing for just shy of two hours (and then stuck around to sign autographs afterward.) WXRT’s Tom Marker gave Guy a rousing introduction, calling him “the next mayor of the City of Chicago,” and that elicited a big reaction from the sold-out crowd. More than that, Guy has become an ambassador of the blues. Not only did he continue to put his money where is heart is by keeping his club open in a new location, but he paid tribute to his blues influences and friends throughout the show in numerous covers and name checks of the likes of Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed and his old pal, Junior Wells. He played a long medley that included John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom,” Cream’s “Strange Brew,” the Stones’ “Miss You” (which had the whole club singing backround vocals) and an explosive channeling of Hendrix on “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” that had the joint spellbound. The latter saw Guy playing his guitar with a drum stick, behind his back and with his teeth. And of course, he also took his customary stroll through the whole place, playing behind both bars and even by the bathrooms as he gave everyone a chance to see him up close.

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That was the blues showman at work. Guy also displayed his soul side and the strength of his recent work. He gave full treatments to “Skin Deep,” the title track of his 2008 album, and a trio of songs from his 2010 album Living Proof that included standouts “74 Years Young” and “On the Road.” Guy is an expert in dynamics. He switches from playing softly to loudly to back to softly again, pulling everyone into his performance. His band expertly follows him wherever he goes.        

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The new Legends has maintained the same vibe of the old one, only with a more open feel, no stage posts blocking views and better lighting and sound. Much has been made over the years about Chicago’s lack of recognition for its blues history in the form of a museum. While a building celebrating the genre’s heritage is an overdue natural and would be most welcomed, something better is happening at Legends. Guy is keeping the blues alive.

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Setlist:

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instrumental introduction
Nobody Understands Me But My Guitar
?
Someone Else Is Steppin’ In (Slippin’ Out, Slippin’ In)
Hoochie Coochie Man
She’s Nineteen Years Old
Love Her With a Feeling
He’s a Milkin’ Mother For Ya
Skin Deep
74 Years Young
Fever
Drownin’ On Dry Land
Rock Me Baby
I Want You to Love Me
Keep On Using Me (Until You Use Me Up)
Boom Boom
Strange Brew
Miss You
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Sunshine of Your Love
On the Road
Let the Door Knob Hit Ya
Do Your Thing
Steal Away

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Start: 8:59 p.m. Finish: 10:52 p.m.
Totals: 24 songs, one hour 53 minutes

 

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