FAN: More Buddy Guy

I saw Buddy Guy again last night at a small venue outside of Philadelphia. It's the third time I've seen him in as many years. As always, he didn't disappoint. There were two opening acts which made the wait for Buddy a little painful, especially since I was burying Captain & Cokes right across the street.

Coming out first was Moreland & Arbuckle who bill themselves as a Roots/Blues band. They are a trio of vocals/harp, drums and bass/guitar. As fas as musicianship goes, the drummer and guitarist were average at best. The vocals/harp player was good but they really didn't have much stage presence. They only played a handful of songs but I did catch my leg keeping time as as the songs had decent riffs and harp solos. I may pickup some of their stuff today. I met the lead singer while he was selling his music and shirts during the Jimmie Vaughan set when I went to the facility and to buy yet another $2 bottle of water to try to hydrate myself. He seemed like a really nice guy and was excited to play where the Dog is today.....a blues festival near Baltimore.

Jimmie Vaughan came out next and overstayed his welcome if you ask me. When opening up for a legend, I don't think you should be playing what felt like an entire gig. You could tell some folks were there just to see him, but dare I say I was bored to death during his set. In fact, I can't think of one moment or solo to even relate to our loyal 40 readers...lol. I was hoping for some Fabulous Thunderbirds songs but if he played any I didn't recognize them. It sounded to me like mostly bad wedding music but as the Dog knows, I like "blues" blues the most, not doo-wop ish or psuedo blues. The make matters worse, he brought out a female singer whom he must be banging and let her sing about 6 songs. Again, I was not impressed. The act felt old and stale to me, yet he did get a standing ovation when done so maybe I am just missing the boat on Jimmie Vaughan.

Finally after two sets and two intermissions the main attraction came storming out and instantly infused energy into the sleepy crowd. As always he held the crowd's attention in the palm of his hand. From what I remember he played "19 Years Old" (and told the crowd in the middle of it "hey don't be mad at me I didn't write this song" which drew a big laugh), "Hootchie Cootchie Man", "Slippin In", "Fever", "Voodoo Chile", "Skin Deep", "Damn Right I Got The Blues", "Boom Boom" and pieces parts of others that got enveloped between other songs. I dig his other guitarist Rick Hall as well as I've noted here before. I was lucky enough to meet him once too in a hotel in Reading. Buddy's voice is as good as I've heard it and his playing continues to make grown men stand up and yell things. He's the master. All hail Buddy Guy.