Monday, June 22, 2009
Buddy Guy
On Friday evening, I witnessed the greatest live music event of my life. I’ve been to around twenty Mountain Stage shows during my nine years in West Virginia – many were good, some were great, but none prepared me for the raw energy, the electrification of a crown, the transformative experience that was Buddy Guy.
Buddy Guy is noble, a nobility few artists have earned. Buddy Guy is playful, in a way few artists are brave enough to be, taunting the audience with his artistry. He created a unique musical event, flitting between songs he has known intimately for decades, mimicking the playing styles of Clapton, Hendrix and more, calling out to his bandmated and taking joy in their responses. He played his guitar as if it were part of himself, one-handed, or behind his back, or with his teeth. Yet, none of it seemed ostentatious. He was simply sharing his gift. My wife reviewed the entire Mountain Stage show for the Charleston Gazette, and here are some YouTube clips that attempt to capture the magic of Buddy Guy:
Buddy Guy is noble, a nobility few artists have earned. Buddy Guy is playful, in a way few artists are brave enough to be, taunting the audience with his artistry. He created a unique musical event, flitting between songs he has known intimately for decades, mimicking the playing styles of Clapton, Hendrix and more, calling out to his bandmated and taking joy in their responses. He played his guitar as if it were part of himself, one-handed, or behind his back, or with his teeth. Yet, none of it seemed ostentatious. He was simply sharing his gift. My wife reviewed the entire Mountain Stage show for the Charleston Gazette, and here are some YouTube clips that attempt to capture the magic of Buddy Guy:
Monday, June 8, 2009
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