A Blues Legend

Sporting a track suit and a laid back attitude to match, blues guitar legend Buddy Guy played to a packed hall at the Oneida Casino tonight. Although I don't consider myself the biggest fan, there are certain musicians that any guitarist just can't pass up seeing live if the opportunity comes along.

The blues is a music genre that is quite unique, as it's label, "the blues," is also a chord progression which 80% of blues songs follow. One would assume then, that it would be repetitive and monotonous to listen to...which it can be unless you're listening to a blues master like Buddy. 

Through simple yet well-executed manipulations, the same formats that have been used since the birth of blues can still be as exciting and entertaining as ever. 

Buddy showed that tonight. At 72-years-old, his voice sounded strong and embodied that raspy blues quality, his guitar playing was solid yet wildly brash, and his stage presence was  just as energetic as that of a much younger musician. He even walked up and down the aisles playing and singing a 10-minute-song, coming within arms length distance of my seat. 

All around a great show, watching masterful bluesmen practicing their craft. Matching one another in both skill and creativity, Buddy's keyboard player is also worthy of note, as those two fed of each other the entire night. They gave the audience a blues night to remember.