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Buddy Guy at Buddy Guy’s Legends

By Tom Marker ⋅ January 13, 2010

This year, once again, January becomes Bud-uary in Chicago. While other clubs around town are hurting for customers during this cold, post-holiday month, Buddy Guy’s Legends is packed with blues fans for 16 sold out nights of performances by Buddy Guy. This will be the final year of these shows at this location of Legends as the club is planning to open at a new location at the north end of the same block this spring. I missed the first two “Buddy shows” this year at Legends due to being on the air in the evenings on Thursday and Friday last week, but I made it to the club just after the shows ended around 12:30am. Buddy was still at the front signing autographs and the crowd was buzzing with how good the shows were. “Buddy was great tonight. Tight show. Great solos.” I couldn’t wait for Saturday night.

Saturday started out as good as it could be. 81-year-old Chicago blues great Jimmy Johnson did the early acoustic set and was joined by his brother, legendary Chicago soul singer, Syl Johnson. Later, opening for Buddy, was Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues. Billy is easily the top blues harmonica player in town and his long time band is as tight and funky as a band can be. I think when Buddy openers are given a chance to play before a packed house of excited people who may not be familiar with them they really shine. That was certainly the case this evening.

When Buddy hit the stage he was electrifying. He just tore the place up with his guitar blazing. He played all his favorites from over the years with not too many surprises, but early on he did a beautiful version of “Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” a song I don’t think I’ve ever heard him play. Buddy left the stage to head into the crowd once and kept this crowd-pleasing act to just the right length while never letting up on the intensity of his playing. He headed outside to play to a frozen S. Wabash venue for just a it, but again, never loosing focus even though he was far away from the band. This was a really good night for Buddy and what set it apart wasn’t that he did different things than he usually does, but that he just did them so well. His timing was always right on, his solos were sometimes searing, sometimes quiet, but never meandering, always tight and deep. I thought his impassioned vocals were as good as ever though he did complain a bit about not having his best voice that night. As time was running down on the 90 minute set Billy Branch, Jimmy Johnson and Syl Johnson all joined Buddy on stage for a grand finale jam. That took a little while to jell but once they all fell into a groove it was a terrific end to another great night at 754 S. Wabash.

Discussion

12 comments for “Buddy Guy at Buddy Guy’s Legends”

I have been to many, many of Buddy’s January shows, and this one by far, I believe was his best yet…..while the opening band gets the audience ‘ready’ for Buddy, Billy Branch & the S.O.B.’s were especially outstanding and funky!!! Buddy, as with a fine wine, just seems to get better as he ages… and it already seems that it couldn’t be possible, just how can he get any better!!???? I’ll see during the show with Lurrie Bell, and again at the shows next year at his new location !!!! Thank you Buddy !!!

Posted by Blues Kathy | January 13, 2010, 7:40 pm
In a packed house with friendly people there to hear great Chicago Blues. No one could have been disappointed!

Posted by Greg Schorsch | January 13, 2010, 7:56 pm
Buddy is a true Chicago treasure and it’s always sweet when he comes back home.

Posted by Carla Weil | January 13, 2010, 9:13 pm
So looking forward to my chance this month to share the goodbye at the “old” Legends.

Posted by alan robinson | January 13, 2010, 9:22 pm
He was great! He kept apologizing for his voice but he sound really good. LOVED the outfit, not many men can get away with wearing a pink ruffled tuxedo shirt. Looking forward to seeing him again on Sunday

Posted by Tracey | January 13, 2010, 10:35 pm
Buddy Guy is the epitome of what it is to be a great performer and what it took to get there and still takes to remain there. He is a shining star. His leading acts are also incredible. I wish I could go every night! I saw Big James and The Chicago Playboys on his opening night – they were great, and to be followed by Buddy – so sweet. Then tonight I’ll have the pleasure of seeing Nick Moss and the Fliptops, followed by Buddy Guy – the patriarch of the Chicago Blues family. So exciting!

Posted by Lisa Mallen | January 14, 2010, 1:33 pm
I just walked in the door from tonight’s show at Legends. I’ve gone to the January Buddy shows every year since 1993! Lots of great memories and great shows- and I’ve got to tell you- tonight was the best I’ve seen Buddy yet! This man just keeps on keeping the flame of the Blues burning year after year! Thanks so much for being such an inspiration to us all Buddy! We love you! – Todd Beebe- Mokena, IL

Posted by Todd Beebe | January 15, 2010, 1:45 am
I agree this was one of the best Buddy Guy shows I have seen in years and I go to several every year. I can’t believe nobody mentioned one of the best moments of the night. Buddy broke a string in the middle of a solo, something I also have never seen. And to my amazed eyes he grabs the string at the top of the neck and starts using it as a whip to strum the other strings and kept right on playing, and it sounded perfect,. He even sang about his broken string blues. This was a great first Buddy Guy show for my 21 year old son Tony and his girlfriend Manda. Everyone had a great time. I’m going to miss the old Legends

Posted by Dan Zahnle | January 15, 2010, 9:23 am
Pants on the Ground

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2WfUzNYPwo

Posted by Neil Young | January 19, 2010, 11:52 am
Was at Sunday night’s show (and got to celebrate Tom Marker’s birthday with him and hundreds of fans!)

Buddy is always an amazing performer, and a great sense of humor to boot.

Everytime I see keyboardist Marty Sammon perform, I am more in awe of his amazing talent. What a great show on Sunday evening!

Posted by Sheila Fahey | January 20, 2010, 9:33 am
We caught the festivities at Legend’s last night, Thursday the 21st, and once again, were totally blown away.
Scott Holt channeled Jimi Hendrix masterfully on a blistering version of Voodoo Chile during his band’s set and came back on stage to help Buddy finish off the evening, but the night, as always, belonged to Buddy and his group.
They shocked, soothed and just plain kept the club rocking for their entire 90 minute set.
We heard stories we had not heard before and saw Buddy Guy as the consummate showman that we always knew he is.

Posted by paul zak | January 22, 2010, 9:55 am
My wife and I and our daughter caught last night’s show and we were blown away. I knew Buddy would be amazing musically, but I never knew he was so flat-out funny. He even made his gout pain funny, and that takes some doing. I sure hope I can be that sharp and skillful at 81!

Posted by Erich Schrempp | January 22, 2010, 2:54 pm