Buddy Guy brings joyful blues celebration to the Coach House

From left, Quinn Sullivan, drummer Tom Hambridge and Buddy Guy. Photo: Bob Steshetz

Buddy Guy at The Coach House.

Less than three months after headlining nearby Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point, blues great Buddy Guy was back in Orange County, CA on Thursday night, Aug. 9, 2018 playing before a packed but decidedly more intimate audience at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

For 90 wonderful minutes the Louisiana native — who celebrated his 82nd birthday on July 30 — delivered on the promise that is the defiant title of his latest album, the newly-issued The Blues is Alive and Well (Read my review of that album RCA Records release here). And since the passing of Guy's friend, B.B. King in May 2015, Guy has been widely acknowledged as the genre's most significant living champion.

Guy strolled on stage just after 9:15 p.m, his lead guitar unleashed as he played a long and fiery solo to kick off the rocking title of his 1991 album "Damn Right I Got the Blues." Backed by his strong four-man band (including drummer Tom Hambridge, who produced Guy's latest LP). The seven-minute reading of the song was bolstered by the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd, cheering on Guy with every note he sang and articulated via his electric guitar.

Guy, who had a profound influence on everyone from Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck to Stevie Ray Vaughan, continues to perform with the same fire he exhibited at the beginning of his career. His joyful and playful spirit came through everywhere, whether using body language or bantering with individual members of the crowd. He seemingly fed off the audience's spirit, using sing-alongs to further bridge the divide between band and concertgoers.

After playing a rousing cover of "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man" (a hit for Muddy Waters written by Willie Dixon), Guy mused that he has a new record but it can't be heard on commercial radio. "I do make albums," he said sarcastically. 

Indeed, the proof was in several masterful cuts from The Blues is Alive and Well he played. The crowd-pleasing "Cognac" (which features Keith Richards and Jeff Beck on the studio version) with some of his most forceful lead guitar work of the night was followed by a cover of his late friend Sonny Boy Williamson's "Nine Below Zero." The latter in particular was a beautiful Chicago blues jaunt, with Guy at times using his guitar to tenderly enhance his vocals with subtle fills while other times ratcheting up the dynamics to an explosive level.

Buddy Guy bringing the blues directly to fans at The Coach House
on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018. Photo: Bob Steshetz

There were plenty of other highlights to come including using a drum stick to tap on the neck of his guitar, and utterly thrilled the house when he took an extended walk through the crowd   during "Someone Else Is Step-in' In (Slippin' Out, Slippin' In)." As if the goodwill he generated during that journey wasn't enough, the call-and-response with the crowd ("While you were slippin' out" he sang, with crowd lustily singing back "Someone else was slippin' in!") was a fun way to cap the track.

Singer-guitarist Quinn Sullivan.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

He was then joined on stage by Quinn Sullivan, a well-known fixture on Guy's tours. Only 19, Sullivan has been playing professionally since 2006 (when he was a mere age of 7!). Having first played on stage with Guy during a performance at the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 2007, Sullivan is now the primary opening act at Guy's performances. 

On Thursday night, Sullivan performed a 50-minute set to open the night (he was also backed by Guy's touring four-man group), and then joined Guy for the closing of the main set. 

This part of the night was fun to be sure, including a ferocious and freewheeling take on Cream's "Strange Brew," which served as a great bookend to a terrific take on Eric Clapton's "Let It Rain" performed during Sullivan's opening set.

Buddy Guy has a number of upcoming concert dates scheduled, including a concert tonight (Aug. 10) at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, CA; at The Rose in Pasadena, CA on Aug. 11, and at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay in San Diego, CA on Aug. 14.

Visit Buddy Guy's official website here for more details.

Review by Robert Kinsler


Photos by Bob Steshetz

Buddy Guy turns in fiery Coach House set

My review of Buddy Guy's Nov. 7 concert at The Coach House was originally posted on The Orange County Register Web site on Friday, Nov. 8. A special "Thank you" to Bob Steshetz for his fantastic photos too!

From left, Marty Sammon, Buddy Guy and Quinn Sullivan. Photo: Bob Steshetz

Legendary guitarist was in top form, generously shared the stage with a teen prodigy.

As evidenced by his thrilling 100-minute concert at the Coach House on Thursday night (Nov. 7, 2013), 77-year-old Buddy Guy has no intention of easing into retirement.

Next at the Coach House: The English Beat, Nov. 9, $25; Macy Gray, Nov. 10, $32.50; Shaggy, Nov. 13, $30; Gaelic Storm, Nov. 14, $17.50; Dave Mason, Nov. 15, $35

Call: 949-496-8930

Online: thecoachhouse.com, ticketfly.com

In a rare O.C. club appearance that was far longer and more satisfying than both of his May 2012 appearances at Doheny Blues Festival or his headlining turn at City National Grove of Anaheim in September 2011, the Louisiana native underscored his pivotal role as a member of the Chicago blues scene in the ’50s and ’60s and his seminal influence on many of rock's greatest guitarists.

At his stop in San Juan Capistrano, Guy was a livewire all night, unleashing electrifying runs (sometimes with his axe behind him, other times tapping out riffs on it with a drumstick) and singing material ranging from hard-edged blues to soulful R&B. The crowd that packed the venue and cheered on the guitar hero was rewarded with strong material, notably a fiery version of Muddy Water's "Hoochie Coochie Man" and a medley of Cream and Jimi Hendrix classics later in the show.

Guy had fun on an extended version of the playful "Someone Else is Steppin' In (Slippin' Out, Slippin' In)," the audience almost shouting out the lyrics on his command before he conjured crying tones with a wah-wah pedal during his lead work. It was clear during that number just how much of a stamp Guy's playing left not only on the late Hendrix but also Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and other blues-steeped giants.

Another strong vocal performance came with "You Give Me Fever," a jazzier piece that allowed him to further extend his artistic reach. A highlight of his encore was "Skin Deep," his falsetto taking the spotlight during the quieter opening before the song suddenly exploded, his backing band picking up the tempo and Guy launching into yet another terrific solo.

With an array of facial expressions and an unfaltering voice to match his six-string prowess and generous spirit (he signed autographs and handed out guitar picks after his lengthy set), Guy remains one of music's mightiest living treasures.

His graciousness extended to his choice of opening act, 14-year-old Quinn Sullivan. The teen guitarist first met Guy backstage when he was 8; the legend was so impressed when he heard the youngster play a few licks that he invited him onstage that night to perform with him.

Quinn Sullivan

Fast-forward six years and here was Sullivan showing off impressive talent during a 45-minute set that earned him a standing ovation. He not only played the heck out of his Fender, he showcased strong vocals that evoked a young Clapton. Sullivan was ably backed by Guy's terrific band (drummer Tim Austin, keyboardist Marty Sammon, bassist Orlando Wright and guitarist Ric Hall).

Highlights of the New Bedford, Mass. native's set included the show-opening "Getting There," a 10-minute opus that allowed him to flex his fast-fingered fretwork, plus another bluesy gem, "Mr. Gloom," and a beautiful cover of Hendrix's "Little Wing." Backed by Guy's excellent four-man band, the upstart returned to perform alongside the master at the end of the night; their aforementioned medley included bits of "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" and "Sunshine of Your Love."

It's no wonder that grateful Sullivan aptly closed his own set with "Buddy's Blues," a tribute to his favorite mentor.