August
2003 Feature Story
Buddy
Guy
by Tony Engelhart
8/24 @ Maryhill Winery Amphitheatre, Goldendale, WA 7pm; 8/25 (w/Los
Lobos) @ Pier 62/63, Seattle; 8/26 @ Britt Pavilion, Jacksonville, OR.
Stepping into the shoes of Muddy Waters as Chicago’s Blues King,
Buddy Guy has had his share of struggles establishing himself. However,
his persistence, talent, and drive have garnered him “Living Legend”
status with not only blues fans but also fellow musicians. Eric Clapton
has unabashedly called Guy his favorite blues “axeman” and
his influence can be felt in recordings by Kenny Neal, Joe Louis Walker,
and Tinsley Ellis to name just a few.
Buddy Guy started as many artists of his day did: paying his dues in
Chicago. In Guy’s case, this new kid on the block’s raw
style caught the attention of the city’s elite bluesmen including
Muddy Waters, Freddy King, Otis Rush, and Magic Sam who introduced the
young guitar player to Cobra Records owner, Eli Toscano. The result
was Buddy’s first recordings. Guy exhibited a range which had
never been seen before. “This Is the End” and “Try
to Quit You Baby” were obviously B.B. King influenced, while “You
Sure Can’t Do” was a straightforward homage to Guitar Slim.
After Cobra’s demise, Buddy Guy moved to Chess Records, where
he found his signature style by working as a session guitarist, getting
his licks in along side of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little
Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Koko Taylor (on her hit “Wang
Dang Doodle”). Buddy’s stint at Chess would also produce
some of his most memorable tunes including “Let Me Love You Baby”,
“Leave My Girl Alone” (which would later be made famous
by Stevie Ray Vaughn), and “The First Time I Met The Blues”.
At this point a seasoned Blues player, Buddy Guy left Chess in 1967
for Vanguard to record his LP, A Man and The Blues. While he continued
to record for various labels throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s
on many labels, it wasn’t until his first three albums for Silvertone
in the ’90s —Damn Right, I’ve Got The Blues, Feels
Like Rain, and Slippin’ In—that the Louisiana native earned
three consecutive Grammy’s and was truly crowned as King of the
Blues.
2001’s studio effort, Sweet Tea (Jive Records), is a raw and pure
blues record. In sharp contrast to his Silvertone records, there is
little reliance on familiar covers, no rock crossover potential, lots
of extended jamming, and spare production. The organic tones on Sweet
Tea are passionate and earthy. Critics praised Guy for breaking away
from his traditional burn-it-up style and chilling out acoustically
on a couple of tracks.
After over five decades in the “biz”, Buddy Guy is one of
the last second- generation Chicago Bluesmen still around. And while
he might be going on 67 years old, he is still one of the most competent
guitar players around who has not only made some great music but has
influenced a generation through his music.
Also see Tony’s cd review
of Buddy Guy’s Blues Singer.
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2002
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