Buddy Guy is one of those artists who do not get enough credit for who they are. Growing up dirt poor, Buddy Guy taught himself to play guitar. At 78 years old, that guitar playing has influenced most of the world’s top guitar players. With over 60 years as a recording artist, Buddy has defined the genre. Yet, many have never heard him play. Buddy brought his Damn Right Blues Band for what seems like an annual stop at The Center for the Arts at UB.
This was a spirited concert that was enjoyed by young and old. Buddy brought along protégé Quinn Sullivan, a sixteen year old guitarist who plays like Hendrix, Clapton, Beck and Page rolled into one. Quinn is one of those generational talents that make it look easy. Playing with Buddy since he was eight years old, Quinn has a promising future ahead.
But the fans came to see Buddy Guy. He did not disappoint. Ripping through blues standards of his own and others like Albert King’s “Down Don’t Bother Me” and Eric Clapton’s “Strange Brew,” he showed an enthusiastic crowd what the blues is all about. Taking it into the crowd for “Slippin In,” he walked the aisles playing and singing as he went. Buddy wrapped up the blues lesson with the classic “Meet me in Chicago.”
Buddy’s producer, Buffalo native Tom Hambridge, opened the show with a short set of original songs. Calling out his parents, Hambridge dedicated his set to their 60 years of marriage.
Setlist:
Damn Right I Got the Blues
Get Close to You (Muddy Waters)
Five Long Years
Feels Like Rain (John Hiatt)
74 Years Young
Slippin In
Boom Boom Boom (John Lee Hooker)
Down Don’t Bother Me (Albert King)
Hoochie Coochie Man
Strange Brew (Eric Clapton)
Skin Deep
VooDoo Child w/ Quinn Sullivan (Jimi Hendrix)
Meet Me in Chicago
We would like to thank Dave Wedekindt for the credentials so BackstageAxxess could cover the show.
