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It’s Buddy Guy’s Damn Right Farewell Tour, a tour which covers a deep history of blues songwriters and/or better known artists who performed them.
After a blistering opener with his own song, “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues,” Buddy Guy commented “I thought I could leave my coat at home when I left Chicago.” Atlanta may have been recently teased with Spring weather, but the crowd was all ears for what Buddy promised: “I came down here to fuck with you.”
Salty language? With eight Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award, the 86-year-old carries on the charge passed on to him by Muddy Waters, “Keep the blues alive.” And everyone in the sold-out audience should know, the blues is about sex, lust, infidelity, frustration and longing. That Buddy Guy says the F word, frequently, is just a reminder of the earthy subject matter.
“Hoochie Coochie Man” followed, with Guy expressing himself by emphasizing a down beat by thrusting his pelvis against the strings. It may have been a concert for adult ears, but don’t think it was crass. Buddy Guy, for all his history, is an entertainer. He likes to tell stories, and occasionally do a hip jiggle.
But, there’s the blues. “I’m a King Bee” has a suggestive line. Guy played it up, pointing any dirty thoughts as the audience’s fault, adding, “I didn’t write the fucking lyrics.” A fantastic rendition of “Drowning on Dry Land” includes symbolic language of an unfortunate dog and a locomotive. Again, “I didn’t write the fucking song.” Words can be read as one thing, but Guy has the most generous smile, and his face wears a history of them well. He’s an entertainer.
“Take Me to the River.” Guy introduced the song by pointing out that he didn’t have running water until he was 12. “We didn’t boil it either. I’m thinking water might not have been that bad back then.” This song is representative of much of what would follow, with the Damn Right Band keeping a groove while Guy entertained the audience.
Such as standing next to a finger, leaning casually with one hand while he plays with the other, then placing his guitar flat on top of the speaker, sliding his sleeve on the strings to coax sounds. Then he unfolded a black towel and placed it across the strings, sliding it briefly before using a drum stick to strike chords from “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Smoke on the Water…,” the audience roaring while the band continues with the “River” groove. He strapped his guitar back on and then slapped the strings with the towel, taking the Cream song a bit further before concluding with the last verse of “River.”
The band was phenomenal, ready for changes in a song or medley, as well as a sudden stop for more of Guy’s repartee with the audience. That takes attention. Notably, long time touring guitarist Ric “Jaz” Hall was featured for two extended solos, for and “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “Fever.”
Guy also had ample solos, more pronounced in the opening songs, opting for more phrasings and bends to accentuate the songs later. At one point, he left the stage completely and walked up a side aisle, where a teen briefly strummed the guitar, through the lobby and back on the other side.
While some songs were astonishingly good, such as “Skin Deep,” future attendees should be prepared for a certain amount of frustration of what could have been. For example, while Hendrix’ “Voodoo Child” and Cream’s “Strange Brew” are included, be prepared for something that’s initially thrilling but less than satisfying.
For a closer, opener Christone “Kingfish” Ingram joined as well as Greg Guy, Buddy’s son and not surprisingly a guitarist. They rocked the conclusion to the evening with “Nobody Understands Me but My Guitar,” an apt title for a great guitar finale.
Guy puts on a great show, certain to entertain. While billed as his final tour, it remains to be seen if he’ll continue to play in his club in Chicago. As well he sings and plays, it’s hard to imagine him giving it up. Meanwhile, he’s touring through August. Check out his site for upcoming dates.
Opener Christone “Kingfish” Ingram opened the evening with a too-short set, favoring his most recent album, 662 (an area code in Mississippi), which won the 2022 Best Contemporary Blues Album award.
More photos below.
Setlist:
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram setlist:
