Search - Buddy Guy :: Live At The Checkerboard Lounge: Chicago 1979

RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "MORE PROOF THAT BUDDY GUY IS TH

Rick Shaq Goldstein | Danville, Ca, USA | 01/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Countless legions of blues fans around the world can attest to the greatness of Buddy Guy. If you're a fan that has listened to Buddy's recordings, but have never got to see him live and in person you've been deprived of the "other-worldly" charisma and bond that Buddy magically creates with his audience. Many talented musicians can play, but they don't interact with the crowd. Some don't even open their eyes half the time, and believe it or not, though they like to play, they'd rather play in a recording studio without an audience. Not so for Mr. Buddy Guy! He is not only an unmatched blues singer and guitar player, but he is also an unrivaled entertainer. He paces and prowls from one end of the stage to the next like a caged lion. He constantly makes eye contact with his fans and you feel his inner most emotions. This CD was recorded at Buddy's own Southside Chicago Club in 1979 which was intimate to say the least as compared to today's large venues. If you ever wished you could go back in time to be part of a blues experience, that today you could only see recreated in the movies, Buddy's performance on this CD would be center stage. Buddy's raw live performance encompasses 10 songs totaling just under 70 minutes. Throughout the show you can hear individual shrieking fans invigorated by Buddy's gripping blues performance. During one poignant song, a 16 minute and 23 second rendition of "THE DOLLAR DONE FELL", one female voice from the crowd can constantly be heard beseeching almost every move Buddy makes. Buddy finally, without missing a note says: "TAKE IT EASY MOMMA!" and keeps wailing the blues. In summary, this CD proves that my Grandfather was right when he used to tell me: "THE BEST KIND OF BUDDY TO HAVE... IS A LIVE BUDDY!""