Buddy Guy

Listen/Download – Buddy Guy – Buddy’s Groove MP3

Greetings all.

Since the end of the week is approaching, I will remind you once again that the Funky16Corners Radio Show drops each and every Friday with the best in funk, soul, jazz and rare groove, all on original vinyl. You cans ubscribe to the show as a podcast in iTunes, listen on your mobile device via the TuneIn app, check it out on Mixcloud, or grab yourself an MP3 right here in the Radio Show archive.

We close out the week with something very groovy, and very soulful (and even a little bit funky) from the mighty guitar slinger Buddy Guy.

If you have even a passing familiarity with modern blues you know the name Buddy Guy, on his own, or in partnership with harp burner Junior Wells.

Though Guy is often associated with Chicago, he came up in Louisiana, before moving to Chitown in 1957.

Guy is younger than the first wave of Chicago bluesmen (he was born in 1936 and laid down his first sides in the late 50s for Artistic.

He worked as a solo, with Junior Wells and as a sideman for a wide variety of people including Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, and Big Mama Thornton.

He was also respected by, and a big influence on several generations of blues and rock guitarists, including Hendrix, Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

‘Buddy’s Groove’, which was originally included on the 1968 Chess LP ‘I Left My Blues in San Francisco’ sees Buddy stretching out a little bit, crossing over to the soul side of the street.

The tune, written and produced by Gene Barge has Buddy wailing on vocals and guitar, with backing from piano, saxophone, bass and drums. The drummer (not sure who) even gets to work it out with a nice long drumbreak!

What I find especially cool about this record is that while it appears to be a shot at hitting the pop charts (which, sadly it did not) it works 100%. At no point do I find myself rolling my eyes at any obvious sell-out moves. Buddy is on point the whole time and there’s nothing here that doesn’t sound completely organic.

There are other soulful tracks (though nothing quite this funky) on the album, right alongside plenty of straight blues, and there is plenty of evidence on his Vanguard and Chess sides that he was capable of that and much more (even jazz, check out his version of Bobby Timmons ‘Moanin’).

Buddy Guy was also an excellent singer, as evidenced by smoking, soulful R&B like ‘I Dig Your Wig’.

Guy is an artist that is considered a giant of the blues today, but I suspect that most people have little knowledge of his 1960s recording, which are essential. There is a great two-disc collection of his Chess studio recording that ought to be a part of everyone’s library.

That said, I hope you dig the tune, and I’ll see you on Monday.

Keep the faith

Larry

 

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Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived! The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock. They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US). Click here to go to the ordering page.

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.