Photo Cred: Jim Brock

“You’re damn right, I’ve got the blues. From my head down to my shoes. I can’t win ’cause I don’t have a thing to lose.” Although this was not the opening song from Buddy Guy’s performance at the City Grove of Anaheim, the lyric stands true to the legend and reflects the atmosphere that night. Sometimes the most impressive live shows are experienced when you have never heard a single tune and hold virtually no expectations.

The Legend

My dad called me up one day asking if I would be interested in going to a concert with him. Of course I asked who it might be and he mentioned blues music marvel Buddy Guy was in town playing with Jonny Lang. Shamefully I knew neither of these names but it didn’t matter, I close to never turn down a show. The headliner’s introduction instilled immediate respect for his talent, even though I was a virgin listener at this point. “Please welcome six-time Grammy award winner and Rock and Roll hall of fame artist Buddy Guy!” Alright you have my attention, simply amazing.

Buddy Guy and Quinn Sullivan (Photo Cred: Erik Kabik)

Born on July 30, 1936 Buddy Guy is one of the most critically acclaimed American Blues artists in the world. He is accredited for pioneering his home town’s Chicago blues style that influenced some of the most notable musicians of his day including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. During his show in Anaheim he primarily stuck to his typical electric guitar and vocals but has historically developed an eclectic skill set with instruments such as the harmonica, drums, piano, bass and saxophone. His five-piece band that accompanied him on stage took the background groove, oftentimes swaying in unison as Buddy jammed on.

He entered with a classic chilled-out mood, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, backwards messenger cap and casual slacks. His first guitar accented his unique personality with its white and blue polka dotted face. He dove into the famed Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man,” which I soon learned was the perfect song for this “76 years young” ladies man, who can easily captivate anyone with his charm. I found it impossible to not smile as he cruised through each chord. Other songs of his set included “Someone else is steppin in,” “Feels Like Rain,” and “I Just Wanna Make Love.” All were clear call outs to his charismatic confidence.

The Kid

Half way through his set he did something remarkable. Buddy Guy brought to the stage a thirteen year old kid named Quinn Sullivan to play beside him. From the second he began to sing, the entire audience was mesmerized, myself included. If I had no sight or knowledge of his age, I would never had guessed a sound so bold could come out of such a young spirit. He sang to his heritage with the song “Blues Child” and the inspiration for his music that brought him there with “Buddy’s Blues.” I have to believe that this kid’s future is bright, with his genre’s idol fully behind him, helping to fuel his flame.

Backtracking to the opening act of the show, Jonny Lang made me tremendously appreciative of modern day blues. He began with the song “Don’t Stop (For Anything),” speaking to my passion for travel I could feel the emotion depicted in each lyric. “I was meant to roll like a freight train, Gonna fly like a jet plane, Comin’ back like a boomerang, I don’t stop for anything.” He listens to the voice inside and calls to the strength that drives every person to trek forward. His voice was incredibly soulful with a raspy, yet comforting tone that balanced with the high notes of his guitar. At one point his intrinsic melodic aptitude melded with the notes made by each string, where the echo matched so perfectly it was difficult to tell where the voice ended and the electric pulse began.

Jonny Lang (Photo Cred: Jim Brock)

Jonny Boy

As I learned more about Jonny Lang, the North Dakota native, I found that he grew up in a highly musical household where nearly every member of his family sang. His first orientation to blues came when his father took him to see a friend’s group by the name of the Bad Medicine Blues Band that inspired Jonny to pick up his first guitar. He went on to follow along Buddy Lang’s footsteps in part by grabbing his own Grammy Award for “Turn Around,” which he played as the third song of his set at the Grove. I love quirky unrecognized facts about artists, one of which for Jonny is that he made a short cameo appearance in the film Blues Brothers 2000 as a janitor, a modern day addition to one of mine and my father’s favorite classics.

His background includes not only blues but also gospel, which was evidently portrayed in his songs “The Great Day” and “Angel of Mercy.” I can honestly say that I loved nearly every one of his songs. Other tracks included “A Quitter Never Wins,” “Red Light,” and “Livin’ For The City.” He finished with an acoustic version of his popular song “Lie To Me” then brought in the rest of his band for the first finale.

Reflection

I must admit that this was one of the most groundbreaking concerts that I have ever attended. Although I pride myself as a music enthusiast with a breadth of genre affiliations, there are shows that make me realize just how narrow my scope can be. I thank the artists that comprise them for shattering my unknown silence to introduce me to new waves.

This entire experience gave me the appreciation for generational welding. I stood in awe of the legendary Buddy Guy, to whom my dad was there to see, while I connected primarily with my fellow generation Y member Jonny Lang, who had a mere four years on me. Then we were introduced to the next generation of blues through Quinn Sullivan, a different perspective to the age-old category of music. In the end, watching them all jam together for the final song was truly a unique perspective for everyone at the Grove. No matter the magnetic pull, the most significant mark of respect for the scene was the pure love for the Blues and the inspiration that each performer shared with one another.