Review: Hoarseness doesn’t dull blues star’s home show
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Blues star Buddy Guy’s homecoming show Wednesday at the Texas Club was a mixed blessing. Guy — a native of Pointe Coupee Parish, former Baton Rouge resident, multiple Grammy winner and 2005 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — had lost much of his voice prior to the show.
Just before his performance, Guy’s condition became apparent as he accepted a plaque from Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Executive Director Mike Shepherd designating him as the organization’s newest inductee. Mayor-President Kip Holden joined Guy and Shepherd on stage for the presentation.
“I want you to bear along with me because I’ve lost my voice,” Guy told his audience during his first song. “That’s why you’ve gotta to be quiet tonight.”
Despite his hoarseness, Guy sang quite a bit during a performance that lasted just over an hour. As his Damn Right Blues Band players brought their volume way down low, the 71-year-old singer-guitarist often sang in a whisper. Of course, he also unleashed fiery guitar solos, striding across the stage while his Stratocaster screamed and howled.
Guy, a Chicago blues legend, and his explosive playing influenced the likes of blues-rock guitar stars Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. He referenced Clapton and Hendrix specifically during the show, imitating Hendrix’s psychedelic sound and breaking into the lick from one of Clapton’s biggest hits, “Sunshine of Your Love.”
Guy’s voice got a rest during his frequent guitar solos as well as sing-alongs and call-and-response from the Texas Club crowd. Despite the star’s vocal problems, the audience — including members of Guy’s family and the Baton Rouge Blues Society — was enthusiastic.
“I started right here in Baton Rouge,” Guy acknowledged during a performance of “Hoochie Coochie Man,” a song by Muddy Waters, one of his mentors. “I think I’m going to move back to Louisiana, so I can play blues all around your backdoor,” he added.
Guy mentioned his voice trouble a second time, saying, “I’ll do the best I can. I’ll do it all night if you want me to.”
Carrying on, Guy turned to another of his heroes. “Some 50 years ago I was copying a guitar player who sounded something like this,” he said before hitting the classic guitar riff from John Lee Hooker’s “Boom Boom Boom.”
Taking a cue from a Louisiana guitar great, Guitar Slim, Guy and his guitar made their traditional walk through the audience, wailing all the way. He did a complete circle through the Texas Club, including a visit to the lady’s room.
“I love you Baton Rouge,” Guy said at his show’s conclusion.
Popular local singer-guitarist Chris LeBlanc opened the show with an acoustic set. Most of LeBlanc’s numbers were low key, but he ended his set on the upbeat with an infectious rendition of the Ray Charles classic, “I Got a Woman.”
