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Words by: Bobby "TP" Coleman | Images by: Rod Snyder
Buddy Guy :: 03.28.08 :: Sheraton Reading Room :: Wyomissing, PA
The Berks Arts Council presented the Berks JazzFest featuring Buddy Guy in the 900 seat Sheraton Reading Ballroom. Comfortable and cozy, chairs lined up in neat rows, soldiers waiting for an army of devoted fans that packed the joint. The sophisticated elegance of the hotel was a study in contrast with Guy's fans waiting impatiently inside the ballroom for him to "play it so funky you can smell it!" The scene was pure Buddy.
Part showman, part preacher and part storyteller; Guy entertains us by playing the blues. In 2005 while being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his acceptance speech was, "If you don't think you have the blues, just keep living." Guy plays and sings the blues like he's lived them. In the opening song, "Slipping In," we laughed with him at the silliness of the lyrics, but it was his phrasing that brought out the true meaning. The playing amplifies the pain. The mind-bending way he blends and shapes notes with his guitar tell of a rich history and deep, intimate knowledge of the genre. Buddy is the blues, and the blues is serious business.
The subject matter of the lyrics is easily accessible to all in their simple universality. His experience of living and the fingerprints of strong friendships he's had with other great guitarists (John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Albert King, B.B. King, Clapton and Hendrix) and the way he pays homage to them was the highlight of the show.
Guy is fun. While playing, his face is animated, and his smile broadly beams as his teeth flash. The 72-year-old's vitality is a testament to the virtues of living your passions. The blues, a truly American art form, owes much to this historical giant. His songs about ordinary people and common situations are, at times, vulgar in their familiarity. "Potty mouth records," were not deemed saleable. Leonard Chess, found of Chess Records, described Guy's music as "motherfucking noise." That's one opinion, I guess, however, Guy is stars and strips, too. He represents and speaks for all of us in a way that is true.
Guy shared his love of life when he played one-handed, behind his back, overhead and with a broken string as the crowd sang, "I just want to make love to you!" The keyboardist motioned along with him, his hands rolling around and around over his instrument with a theatrical flair.
Borrowing a move he got from Magic Slim, Guy stepped down from the stage and prepared to walk into the crowd. While playing, he started walking slowly up the far aisle. Guy and his guitar met a procession of fans that love him, straining to get close to him without getting in his way. He walked down the back aisle, playing all the time, and went through the exit into the lobby and the doors closed behind him. Even while Guy couldn't be seen but he never stopped playing and minutes later he reemerged from another door while the audience went nuts.
The backing band included Marty Sammon (keys), Ric Hall (guitar), Tim Austin (drums) and Orlando Wright (bass). Alone they are great musicians but when they combine their efforts with Guy they create an exceptional sound and show. Guy is folklore and legend, and the music they play is the platform that supports the lyrics and instrumental flights he takes. Imagine eating the most flavorful meal you can think of, then when you're finished grabbing a biscuit to soak up all the juice of the meal. Buddy Guy is that blues biscuit.
JamBase | Pennsylvania
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