BUDDY GUY
January 15, 2007
Every January, Buddy Guy takes up residence at his "Legends" club in Chicago for the entire month. I've tried the last few years to stop by but somehow every time there was something in the way of getting over before his stint was over...
Had to make it happen this time around, especially seeing as I'm going back out on the road. I need that infusion of blues power to get into fighting shape, and playing with Buddy is like going to a school inside of a church.
I jumped a plane this morning from LA after a two hour delay and landed just in time to race to the hotel and then the club. It's been a minute since I really opened up on the guitar, so I was excited to get back into the headspace.
Okay. Here's where I have to lean on my words to help get this message across... Tonight, Buddy was more on fire than I have EVER seen or heard him. It took a couple of songs (and a couple shots of Cognac) to get us both going, but once we lifted off, it was unbelievable. I spent most the set with my mouth wide open letting out almost primal screams... This was timeless stuff happening tonight. the man is unstoppable, and he looks like a million damn dollars. The crowd at Legends was as energized as I've ever felt from a room that size.
When I was a kid, I used to cut out all the pictures I could find of my heroes, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton... To stand on stage with the man whom I used to stare at on my wall while laying in bed on those long, lingering Saturday mornings is beyond a thrill. I know, I know... We've played together now countless times, but I needed this one...
and I'm lucky enough to call him a dear friend. Wild shit.
Now into tour rehearsals...
