record collection revisited: Buddy Guy "Live At Legend's"

Performing at his own Chicago based blues club, Legends, Buddy Guys scorches the stage with his band on his new live record, aptly titled, "Live At Legends".  Guy was the prototype for much blues drenched guitar playing we hear today in blues, rock, and jam band circles.  Eight of the tracks are live, recorded in January of 2010 when the performance took place, while there are three additional new studio numbers, too.

Guy's performance is fiery as he effortlessly unearths soul tingling, screaming notes and tones from his Fender Stratocaster and sings with passion and abandon he's known for.  He pays tribute mid set to his inspirations, and legends he inspired.  Those artists are Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix.  He does medley's of Hooker's "Boom Boom" and Cream's "Strange Brew", that though kind of fractured, pay a great tribute, and repeats the feat with Hendrix' "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", and Cream's "Sunshine of your Love".

Guy's backing band is solid and keeps right up with him.  The members of his band include:

Buddy Guy: lead guitar & vocals
Rick Hall: guitar
Marty Sammon: keyboards
Orlando Wright: bass
Tim Austin: drums

Sammon and Tom Hambridge (Guy's record producer) sing backing vocals on a couple songs.  His devoted fans are charged up and definitely into it during the performance.  Yours truly has seen Buddy Guy play before, and has been inspired by his style.  But, any listener's who have yet to discover him, check out this new live record.  It's a good place to start.

Here's the track listing for "Live At Legend's"

1. Intro by Tom Marker
2. Best Damn Fool
3. Mannish Boy (Muddy Waters cover)
4. I Just Want To Make Love To You (Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters cover)
5. Skin Deep
6. Damn Right I Got The Blues
7. Boom Boom/Strange Brew (medley) (John Lee Hooker & Cream covers, respectively)
8. Voodoo Chile/Sunshine of Your Love (medley) (Jimi Hendrix & Cream covers, respectively)

Bonus studio recordings:

9. Polka Dot Love (Guy has been known to play Stratocaster's with polka dot paint schemes in the past)
10. Coming For You
11. Country Boy

Buddy Guy was just recently awarded with an honor from the Kennedy Center.  A true legend, and a bridge between the past and the present when it comes to the blues.  Dig this live set.  It's a good one.