Buddy Guy

February 24, 2001

The Michigan Theater

Ann Arbor, MI

Chicago blues legend, Buddy Guy pulled his entourage in to Ann Arbor’s historic Michigan Theater on Saturday night for one show. I arrived at the show slightly late with my friend, Erec so that we missed the opening band altogether. We lucked out and had third row seats, which gave us a great view of the stage. We sat down and took in the beautiful interior of the Michigan Theater.

Before long Buddy and his band walked out on stage. Buddy was dressed in his trademark overalls and he had his famous polka dotted guitar around his neck. Buddy launched into his set with reckless abandon. If you have ever seen Buddy Guy you know that he will often switch songs in midstream or suddenly stop a song when some thought occurs to him. For this reason his band has to be really on their toes all the times and ready for anything. Luckily the 5-piece band he had with him was excellent and never missed a beat.

Buddy seemed to be in a really great mood all night as he tore through versions of songs like "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues". He even told a story about a time he came to play in Ann Arbor in the mid sixties. Apparently he was invited up to play some now defunct club called the Canterbury Club. At this time he was still working a day job in Chicago driving a truck. He got such a great reception in Ann Arbor that he was convinced he should finally quit his day job and play the blues full-time.

These memories obviously helped heighten Buddy’s enthusiasm. He kept saying things like, "Shit, I feel good tonight!" During a spirited romp through John Hiatt’s "Feels Like Rain" Buddy came out into the audience and walked up and down the aisles, finally winding up in the balcony.

Buddy is famous for these kinds of antics, but he is so humble and talented that he pulls it off. During the evening Buddy paid tribute to his mentors and his deciples including John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Eric Clapton and the aforementioned John Hiatt. His tribute to Clapton took the form of really cool version of Cream’s ‘Strange Brew".

Near the end of the show Buddy called this little girl up to the stage who was a harmonica player. I didn’t catch her name, but at first I was little skeptical. As soon as she started to play I changed my mind. She can’t be more than 10 years old, but her phasing on harp is really mature and soulful. She accompanied Buddy and the band on "Mustang Sally" and pretty much stole the show. All the other performers seemed just as amazed as the audience was.

All too soon the show came to a close due to an early curfew, but I was happy to have seen a living legend on guitar and an upcoming virtuoso on harmonica.