Continuing the performing arts highs of March in Santa B, Buddy Guy gave one of his greatest performances at the Granada, connecting with the audience as only a great showman can and stretching a planned 90 minute Arts & Lectures show to 2 hours of blues bliss. Showing no signs of his age, he played many of his signature tunes, told personal stories and gave a brief history of blues guitar with samples from B.B. King and others. A highlight was an extended version of Little Milton’s hilarious classic “Grits Ain’t Groceries” that included solos played with (just) feedback, a drumstick and a scarf, which he then tossed into the audience. Other solos alternated between his trademark blistering style and some beautifully more lyrical forays, with great additional solos by his Damn Right Blues Band keyboardist Marty Sammons and guitarist Ric ‘JazGuitar” Hall. He orchestrated sing-alongs, chiding the audience in the first for not really knowing the lyrics, pointing out that the one at a recent show in Japan did much better. From then on they made a point of singing out lustily. Near the end of the show the exceptionally spry 81-year-old Guy made his customary tour out in the audience while singing and playing and letting audience members strum his guitar, including a very young potential guitar slinger in the lobby who was rewarded with a signed guitar pick. The audience couldn’t see the youngster, but they could hear it. Check out the 3 sec. video clip below. The whole affair was affectingly reflective and thoroughly entertaining, and by the end, Mr. Guy really was a Buddy to all in the house!
