On Monday, May 6, blues icon and living legend Buddy Guy continued to defy Father Time, delivering a scorching performance at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre. As a spry 87-year-old, Guy’s fingers still danced across the fretboard with the agility of a man decades younger. The energy in the sold-out venue was palpable from the moment the band launched into a groove, and it never truly dipped throughout the electrifying set.
The capacity crowd stood as Guy’s band began playing their intro music before introducing the living legend himself. Guy strode out to center stage with a mile-wide grin and donned his signature polka dot attire. With that mile-wide smile and a twinkle in his eyes, it was harder to tell who was more thankful to be in the theater, Buddy or the bevy of fans awaiting his stories and songs.
Guy, who has the chops and the schmaltz that many fledgling artists can only dream of, sang with the unmistakable rasp of a life spent singing the blues as he poured out tales of love, loss, and the everyday struggles that are the bedrock of the genre. Each note resonated with raw emotion, captivating the audience and transporting them to the heart of the blues tradition. Whether trading licks with his fiery band or launching into a soulful ballad, Guy commanded the stage with a presence honed over a lifetime of performing. Buddy Guy has “lived it” just as he’s “talked it” and makes no excuses for the man and showman that he has become.
Guy’s set proved to be a healthy mix of his personal favorite staples and personal history lessons. The edgy “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues” got it started with gusto! Guy was already primed and ready to go, tearing it up on his signature Stratocaster. “Damn Right” ebbed and flowed, much to everyone’s delight. A nod to hero Muddy Waters with “She’s Nineteen Years Old” was heartfelt and fun as Guy flirted with the audience as his fingers noodled up and down the neck of his axe. Immediately, Guy had the audience in the palm of his hand. The incomparable “Skin Deep”, co-written by Buddy’s longtime producer Tom Hambridge, brought the mood and tempo down just a bit before segueing into more introspective storytelling and riffing.
A true highlight of the evening was Guy’s between-song banter. His stories, peppered with humor and wisdom, offered a glimpse into his remarkable career and the lineage of blues giants that came before him. Guy paid homage to Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Bobby Rush, and more with some tasty bites of “Hoochie Coochie Man”, “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” and “Chicken Heads”. He spoke with reverence for Waters and Wolf, his musical mentors, ensuring their legacy lived on through his own powerful performance.
As the set closed, Guy welcomed a young fan on stage and tossed a handful of guitar picks to the adoring and eager fans in the front rows. The band continued to jam as Guy slyly slipped off stage and straight onto his tour bus, surely gunning for a nice sip of well-deserved cognac. As the final notes faded, the crowd remained in a standing ovation, a testament to the timeless quality of the blues and the enduring brilliance of Buddy Guy. Even at 87, Guy, who made his mark decades ago, still has the sparkle in his eye and glimmer in his smile as he shares his knowledge and music with his fans each night. He remains a force of nature, proving that the spirit of the blues burns as bright as ever.
