Live

Buddy Guy: Glastonbury

Almost slipping in unnoticed by all the hype surrounding Jay-Z. Buddy Guy took to the stage in full regal mode and unleashed his full account on a die hard audience not perturbed or swayed by a rip-tide of rhetoric happening at the same time on the Pyramid stage i.e.- The Amy Winehouse circus!

For many years Buddy has been seen as the electrifying and obscenely talented guitarist and showman of the blues,he literally puts the fear of god into other players - witness Keith Richards and his erstwhile side kick Ronnie (2 bottles a day) Woods’ expressions in Scorsese’s recent film 'Shine a Light'(40%) proof indeed!

Mr. Guy, 72, mixes comedy, virtuosity, deep blues and showboating tricks in ways that keep his fan glued... Guy is the master of extreme: sudden dynamic volume drops or a sweet or sustained guitar solo followed by a manic lick, coupled with a vocal delivery cut off with a rasping cry... pulling and pushing the tension, his flamboyant freneticism was very much in evidence tonight whipping the crowd into submission and chiding them like a naughty child when they got rowdy in the quiet bits.

Kicking off with Muddy Waters, his old pay master’s signature tune,'Hoochie Coochie Man' was an inspired choice exemplifying Buddy’s unmistakable guitar sound and his natural elegance of delivery, he was here to spread the word 'Blues' and in a Chicago style!

Such is Buddy’s mastery of the guitar that there is virtually no guitarist that he cannot imitate. During one particular number, he mercilessly (and to my mind rather cruelly) took the mick out of Eric Clapton, mimicking him but with a deliberately weedy guitar sound, you wouldn’t think they were firm friends after you’d heard this rather sardonic homage!

Mickey taking aside the capacity crowd enjoyed his versions of 'Mustang Sally', Hooker’s 'Boom Boom', Cream’s 'Strange Brew' and the wonderfully sensuous cover of Peggy Lee’s 'Fever'. However the highlight for me was the self penned 'Skin Deep' a poignant elegy which left me teary eyed watching Buddy wrench out his tortured soul on this delicate subject.

Let’s not forget, he has made at least 60 albums and 'Skin Deep,' his latest, shows off Guy’s fiery guitar and vocal dexterity as well as any of his back catalogue. Feted by his peers and loved By his fans Grammy award winner Guy shows no signs of slowing down. He still is is the living, breathing king of the Chicago Blues tradition handed down directly from Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. A true blue originator.

PHOTO: TIM BASTABLE
Words Emrys Baird