By JANE STEVENSON --
Buddy Guy, who fellow bluesman Eric Clapton has called "the best guitar
player alive" may have summed it up best when he said: "We're going to get so
funky you can smell us."
Funky yes. Smelly no.
Guy, a charming, talented, infectiously happy 60-year-old Louisianan
who looks, moves and plays like he's 20 years younger, stole the multi-bill
House Of Blues' Barnburner Tour last night at the Molson Amphitheatre in front
of 8,500 enthralled fans.
No small feat considering he was co-headlining the evening with
spastic-moving, facial contorting, British soul singer Joe Cocker, who also had
his moments with such crowd favorites as Feelin' Alright, You Are So Beautiful,
Leave YourHat On, The Letter, Unchain My Heart and the truly hair-raising With
A Little Help From My Friends.
But in the end Joe Cocker's soul was no match for Buddy Guy's blues.
Cocker, 52, should also do something about the placement of his two
excellent female backkup singers, who were so far off the stage they appeared
to be performing at the CNE.
Back to Guy. With the help of his seven piece band -- in particular
fellow guitarist Scott Holt-- he thrilled, and practically wooed, the audience
with his exhilarating, hour-long set that followed opening acts the Radiators
from New Orleans and the Fabulous Thunderbirds of Texas.
He even wandered into the crowd at one point to play his eye-catching
black and white polka dot guitar, which, believe it or not, matched his shirt.
Guy also had a secret weapon in the former of none other than one of
the Blues Brothers himself when Canadian native Dan Aykroyd danced onto the
stage to sing Sweet Home Chicago.
"This city is a son of a gun," said Guy. "Everytime I come here I
have the greatest time of my life and I've got news for you, tonight is no
exception."
With that Aykroyd appeared and the crowd was on their feet.
"Should we bring a House Of Blues to Toronto?" yelled out Aykroyd
after his song.
The response? A loud roar in the affirmative.
I'll add my voice to that, particularly if Guy is on the bill.
SUN RATING: 4 out of 5
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