Buddy Guy

I did not go to Buddy Guy's Show recently at the Toyota Oakdale Theater. However, I did go to Toad's Place about 25 or 30 years ago and I saw him and also about 12 years ago I saw him in Torrington Connecticut. He is fantastic! There is no one else like him! Many years ago the great Eric Clapton said he is the best that there is! He plays effortlessly.

Buddy Guy is thee man. Buddy has been a true blues man his whole life, he’s a legend, and an American Icon. I’ve been fortunate to have seen Buddy several times-seen him the 1st time playing with BB King at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. When Buddy comes around you have to seen him. Blues isn’t about making one sad-blues helps you get the blues out! So happy for Buddy and his family and all of us who appreciate the blues. Gonna miss seeing Buddy-A Lot, but will hold onto those memories of watching him play & listening to his songs forever. Thank you Buddy Guy. Much love to you and the family. ❤️‍🔥🎸🎶🎵🎶❤️‍🔥

Enjoyed Buddy's show a lot. Wished he could have played longer. Kenny Wayne Shepherd opened and played a 90 minute set. Buddy performed about an hour. Not sure if acoustics in Smith Center are that bad or because Kenny Wayne Shepherd's set right before was too damn loud, but really had difficulty understanding Buddy when he told his stories. That said, man can still play and sing! Very happy I got to see him perform.

Buddy Guy puts on an awesome show and never disappoints. The addition of Christone Kingfish Ingram AND Eric Gales made this show perfect!!! Loved it when Buddy came into the audience playing his guitar and singing. He came right up next to us and we were nowhere near the stage.

Buddy Guy: 3/20/23 “Gotta catch ‘em all when you can especially when the headliner is 86 years old and the tour is billed as “The Damn Right Farewell Tour!’ The DAve show made it’s way to Spartanburg Monday evening for his first time ever seeing Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, Chicago Blues guitarist Buddy Guy. Guy who has cut 19 studio albums covering 56 years first played as a session guitarist in the 60’s backing Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and others. Ranked 23rd in Rolling Stone magazine's ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ but equally or even more impressive Clapton once described him as the best guitar player alive! Entering the auditorium I made my way to front center orchestra row 15, a fine place to catch some of the best sound and not too meager a view. The unpretentious stage would set the focus on the star himself, L to R: keyboards, drum kit with a polka dot pattern surrounding Guy’s name on the drumhead, polka dot carpet with twin monitors a microphone and a single volume/wah pedal for Buddy, bass, Marshall stack, backing guitars. A backdrop had Buddy’s name in script over a Chicago street scene featuring his club ‘Legends’, his name illuminated in neon pink. The front of the stage was illuminated in simulated neon bars of pink, blue and yellow, the design with ample smoke replicating a blues club vibe. There were no video screens. At 9 p.m. the lights dimmed and George ’Buddy’ Guy took the stage for a 16 song / 1.35 hour set. It was difficult to get an entirely accurate song count as there were numerous snippets of songs blending in to each other. Beginning with 91’s ‘Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues’, he paused mid-song to play a few notes by scraping the guitar neck with the sleeve of his shirt, just one of a number of tricks of the trade he treated the audience to all evening long. Launching into Willie Dixon’s ‘I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man’ his soon to be 87 year old hands proved to be right on time not missing a single fret or string. Guy dressed the part, Legend’s club cap, polka dot button down (a tribute to his mom), white pants, and a guitar strap in black and white that read ‘DAMN RIGHT’. A number of polka dot purses, shirts, and ties were to be found in the audience as well. Addressing the audience Buddy enforced, ’The blues has been treated like a step-child, and let me tell you something if you don’t like the blues (pause)… (an audience member shouted out a response ‘Go home?!’ —and Buddy corrected him) …No, …you’re in the wrong f***ing house tonight!’ ‘I’m gonna play something so funky you can smell it, and it goes like this.’ During ‘Hoochie’ Guy slipped to the rear side of the stage for a cup of coffee and let his touring guitarist Ric ‘Jaz’ Hall take over for an amazing solo highlighted by spinning his guitar 360 degrees on his strap. Buddy returned forefront and assured the crowd, ‘before I leave here I’m gonna let it all hang out!’ Next up was a run of covers starting with Muddy Water’s ‘She’s Nineteen Years Old’ and moving through artist’s such as Willie Dixon, Bobby Rush, Albert King and Slim Harpo. Taking a pause during Harpo’s ‘I’m A King Bee’ Guy began to school the audience with regard to his introduction to the music he grew up listening to on a.m. radio particularly explaining the lyrics meanings because they ‘don’t play those songs on FM radio’. Stating those were the days ‘living by lamplight we didn’t have electricity’, ‘we had to drink water out of that creek or that bayou’, ‘when I got ready to take a shower back then it was every time it would rain.’ He played a snippet of the late John Lee Hooker, and Jimmy Reed before circling back to one of his own songs ‘Skin Deep’, a moving piece about reuniting with a white childhood friend whose parents had cut off their relationship as teens. Guy paused again, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if the whole world could say, “Everybody’s beautiful, we not angry at nobody”, let me tell you how I feel, I was raised to love you and even if you didn’t like me I was told to still love you, and you can’t stop me from loving you. Don’t try that!’ This is the point where a number of snippets came in, Buddy showing us how the greats did it. There was ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’, Guy placing his his guitar on an amp where he whacked the strings with a drumstick and fingered the all familiar ‘dah dah da duh da da da da dah da’, then BB King’s ‘How Blue Can You Get’. He treated us to some Hendrix on ‘Voodoo Chile’, playing it with his teeth! Of note, Buddy was a strong influencer of Hendrix who once cancelled one of his own shows just to see Guy perform live. He informed us next, ‘My good friend Eric had a group called The Cream’ then treated us to a sampling of ‘Strange Brew’. During ‘Someone Else Is Steppin In’ he stepped of the stage (all the while being escorted by an attendant) and began a lengthy solo in which he walked all the way to the back of the auditorium, turned around in a ‘U’ and returned to the stage coming up a different isle! Ending the evening with a massive jam he brought out his opener ‘Kingfish’ who strapped on a polka dot guitar, then introduced his own son Greg, ‘Let’s give him a hand and bring him up’. After handing out a couple dozen or so picks while walking across the stage from L to R Guy returned center stage blew a kiss and exited while the band stayed on to finish out the song. During the entire evening he never switched out guitars! It was my third visit to Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, all three times the sound and mix were near perfect. Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram opened the evening with a 6 song / 55 minute set. A true blues prodigy, the 24 year old first cousin ‘once removed’ of Charlie Pride from Clarksdale Mississippi was discovered in 2015 by BB Kings drummer for playing blues the way it was supposed to be. His ’99 debut album ‘Kingfish’ debuted #1 album on Billboard’s Blues Chart upon release. His playing was very strong and his voice crystal clear. A man of few words he introduced his all Mississippi 4 piece band and said, ‘I’m grateful to be here on Buddy’s last farewell tour, thank y’all for having us we really appreciate it, for sure — for sure — for sure’, and ‘I apologize for all of those fast notes I played in that last song. You know people complain when I play too fast so my apologies.’ I wouldn’t dismiss the thought with him opening for Guy as a kind of passing on of the baton, Buddy himself referring to him as ’the next explosion of the blues’. From poor and lowly Louisiana beginnings growing up without electricity and running water while learning guitar on a self made two-string diddley bow to the legend he is today showcases the amazing power of the Blues! In all of it Buddy’s remained humble stating, ‘All I ever wanted was to be a great musician and play the blues’ and ‘some even say if they cut me open I would bleed blue!’ I believe it!” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #763)

Buddy Guy is as special as can be. The venue is a treasure (don’t bother with the package including the Ford Lounge which is cramped, crowded and time wasting). Back to Buddy—I travel a good distance to see him and relish every opportunity. He has a great set of musicians, great stories and fantastic blues. I only wish I had discovered the blues twenty years earlier!

2nd time seeing Kingfish open for Buddy and it was another great show. Just not as good as seeing them at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago. This venue (Atlanta Symphony Hall) leaves a bit to be desired in the sound quality. A bit gymnasiumesque. Also the guy that was the usher at the front of the stage was more focused on killing the joy this older woman had engaging with Buddy in the front row by continually telling her to sit down. Enjoying the Blues is about crowd participation and sharing the joy with everyone. This was not an orchestral performance.

I usually say what a great concert we saw last night. That’s not what this is about. Christone was as amazing as always. But this was Buddy’s night. The Christone "KINGFISH" Ingram / Buddy Guy concert last night at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, TN was a history lesson. We were in the presence of a living legend. Buddy has been playing professionally since 1953. 70 years. One of the longest runs of any musician in history. He’s an icon and his concert last night was meant to teach you about the blues. He wants to teach you about Loving each other. He wants to teach you to follow your path no matter how hard that path is. He wants to have fun. At his age and his longevity he portrays that all onstage. He has EARNED the status of LEGEND. He hs earned the status of ICON. And he’s earned the status of INFLUENCER! He played deep Chicago style blues, he had fun with the crowd and he gave us, for an hour and a half, all the love and happiness that he could give. He even walked past us and the vibes coming from his guitar as he strolled past gave my soul a charge of electricity that only Buddy Guy could give. I didn’t get the chance to see B. B. Or Muddy Waters, or Lightning Hopkins..BUT I can say that I got to see Buddy Guy! Thank you Buddy for a life of blues music and for every influence that you have to Blues and Rock and Roll! God Bless and I hope to get to see you again! Even my wife, Jody, who is not a fan of blues, said that “Out of all the blues concerts that I’ve drug her to, this one was the best!” I’ll take thy as a win!

Great show in a beautiful venue. Ally Venable, Eric Gales and, of course, Buddy Guy brought their A-game to Dallas. From the opening note through the evening's ending jam session the energy was high and the artistry on full display. The opening acts were a great display of the up and coming Blues talent in advance of tone of the greatest Blues artists on the road today.

I had the pleasure of attending the Buddy Guy concert at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, Texas and it was an unforgettable experience! The historic venue was the perfect setting for this legendary blues guitarist and singer, and the energy in the room was palpable from the moment he stepped onto the stage. Buddy Guy's performance was absolutely phenomenal. He played with an incredible passion and intensity, showcasing his unparalleled skill on the guitar and his powerful vocals. Every song was infused with raw emotion and the audience was completely captivated by his talent. Overall, the Buddy Guy concert at the Majestic Theatre was a truly awe-inspiring experience. His talent, passion, and showmanship made for an unforgettable evening of music that I will always cherish. If you have the chance to see Buddy Guy perform live, do not hesitate – it is an experience you will never forget!

Buddy Guy was fantastic. His voice was strong, his guitar playing perfect, and his humor and banter with the audience was funny and authentic. He is an American treasure and definitely worth seeing on his farewell tour. The opening acts were also excellent. Ally Venable has a great future in the blues - she has killer guitar skills and a strong and expressive voice. She has matured into a legitimate player and a potential icon for the next generation.

A really amazing show at a great venue. Buddy is a true legend! He and his wonderful band put on a fun and energetic performance. He tells great stories and interacts with the crowd. Even walking through the isles while playing his guitar. As soon as we got home my 13 year old son started practicing, he hopes to fill Buddy's shoes someday. Elise Legrow, who opened, was also amazing. Her voice could make you feel emotional and give you goosebumps, exactly what music should do. She is a reminder that there is still talent in this world.

Buddy is a legend and knows how to play to a crowd. I took my son to see him to make sure he got to see him live. Buddy at 86 years old had my smiling the whole time. Kingfish opened and was fantastic as well. It was like the old generation welcoming the new. Don’t miss the chance to see him before you can’t. Love Buddy.

At 85, Buddy Guy is still a master showman. He gave a wonderful 90 minute medley of blues classics interwoven with classic Buddy Guy messing around on guitar, stories, and a few of his "newer" songs. Thanks for coming to ATL, Mr. Buddy. My 10 year old son has been watching / listening to you since he was 3. He's a good guitarist in his own right, and to see you perform live is a treasure he will remember all his life.

Opener Tom Hambridge is really talented and was a real entertaining warm up for Buddy. Buddy is still at the top of his game. He conversed with the audience between each song and really created a great vibe in which to pick up what he was laying down. See him while you can.He still has an attention grabbing voice and he's pretty much the last of a legendary group of blues playing masters .

Buddy Guy and the band were awesome! Glad I finally got to see him. Would be a 5 but wasn't real pleased with the venue - they've made changes from the past and haven't communicated them well - so not sure even what tickets one should purchase. Fees are higher on tics too.

Show was fabulous! Buddy Guy is in top form for his age, and the 2 bands before him did a great job! My only complaint was the venue seating people throughout the show, zero regard for talent or the fans who spent quite a bit of money for reserved seating only to have to spend most of the show looking at people's backs. Makes me want to rethink attending shows at Ravinia and wait to see where else talent will play.

Good show.. a little heavy on the doodling, a little heavy on the opening act (*who was good, mind you). Thought I would hear more full on songs but it was entertaining. House lights came up too soon, no encore offered. I grew up at Legends so thought more of this but I have to admit, I would have preferred a ChiTown show over this. Talented as hell, though. Still everything I remember him to be.

We had a terrific time. I have to admit, we are big Little Feat fans and loved, their too short one hour set. After a 30 minute intermission, Buddy Guy hit the stage with a great band. I enjoy his blues playing and playful way of playing his guitar and double entendres. He did do a strange thing a few times when he would be playing a song that the crowd was really into and would just stop and say a little something and go into another song. He also did something I’ve seen lately walking off the stage and down the aisle playing and singing. 95% of the audience lost sight of him. I guess it’s nice for the folks fortunate to be sitting on the aisle, but we didn’t appreciate it. Regardless, we had a great time. And what gives with bands no longer doing encores. The abrupt end of shows seems disjointed.

Buddy Guy is obviously a great musician and guitar master. But he is a great person too. You get that from the way he connects with the audience, reminds us how good we have it and then encourages us to be better. It’s a great concert when you leave feeling so good.