A concert review of Buddy Guy's 2/10/09 performance on Hilton Head Island, SC
By Trevor Harden, trevor@RockOm.net
At RockOm, we're often asked (and ask ourselves) what makes one musical artist more "spiritual" than another. After all, is there any place where spirit is not?
And yet, while listening to a musician's performance, do we not all feel it when the moment crosses from ordinary to special? From unconscious to conscious? From mediocrity to mastery? Is this not the introduction of a deeper level of spirituality?
On Wednesday night, RockOm's Tom Crenshaw and myself were privileged to experience such a magical and soul-touching event - the Buddy Guy and B.B. King concert on Hilton Head Island, SC. Coming off Sunday night's incredible performance at the Grammys (playing to millions of people on a national platform) the blues legends stripped away the fanfare for a small club-like performance to around 1,000 eager fans at HHI's Shoreline Ballroom. And while B.B.'s portion of the evening was both enjoyable and meaningful in its own way, the remainder of this review will focus on Mr. Buddy Guy.
What words would you use to describe something of high spiritual value? Loving, uplifting, touching, inspiring, selfless - perhaps? Buddy's performance was all of these. Decked in all white and backed by four other outstanding players, Buddy ripped out song after song laden with flawless guitar work, amazingly broad dynamics and his signature gritty, yet sweet, vocal delivery.
Like a true entertainer, Buddy interacted with his crowd by inviting folks to sing along (and then making them roar with laughter by shouting "Don't fuck it up!") and even coming out into the audience for 5-minutes of "in the crowd" performance. He peppered his show with one-liners such as:
"I know you don't hear this kind of blues music on the radio much anymore, but if you call me, I'll do it."
and
"...so funky you can smell it!"
It was very evident that Buddy was there to bring the room together in a spirit of brotherly community.
In one of my favorite moments of the night, Mr. Guy asked the audience what they wanted to hear, saying, "I'm here for you tonight, not me. I could stay home and do this if I wanted to." I honestly feel like he meant this - that his music is a kind of service or blessing to the audience. While he surely enjoys the praise and acclaim, he obviously doesn't need to be performing any more (at least financially, one would assume). He seems to have a gut-deep desire to "bless people's socks off" (as we often say in the church) in order to uplift spirits and bring joy into people's lives.
And while virtually none of the content of Buddy's lyrics or verbal exchanges would be classified as classically spiritual (in the sense that we often think of spirituality in terms of otherworldliness or "purity"), it seemed to speak to those traditions that celebrate earthiness and humanity - those that find God in the grit. Through songs about lust and loss, passion and sadness, Buddy shared a rich understanding of human emotion, inspiring the listeners to celebrate their own humanity. Not to mention that despite the rowdiness of the rest of the evening, Buddy also played the title track from his new album, "Skin Deep" - a quiet, inspiring piece about seeing the real worth in people - which RockOm wrote about last week.
Buddy Guy is a true performer whose level of mastery - like any of life's true masters - speaks to humanity's potential and begins to hint at divinity. The world is honored to be blessed by a musician who goes beyond settling to be a simple "entertainer," to an artist who consistently and confidently chooses to be a boon to those who come and see him.
Links:
Buddy Guy's Legends
Buddy Guy homepage (including Tour information)
"Skin Deep" on Amazon.com
Photography by Tom Crenshaw, tom@RockOm.net
Many thanks to Isabelle Libmann at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago
Tags: B.B. King, Blues, Buddy Guy, Concert, Hilton Head Island, legend, mastery, music, Review, service, Skin Deep, spirituality
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February 13th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I like your connection between the spiritual and how an artist expresses the grit and reality of being human. Or perhaps that is just what I heard you say. But I believe that is true.
February 13th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
…especially if the expression of the grit and reality of the human condition can somehow include the search for the underlying and intertwining Music.
February 14th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Right, definitely. I believe it’s the recognition of our humanity that allows the moment to be spiritual. We’re humans either way (obviously) but it’s in the recognition - and therefore the celebration and gratitude of being who we were created to be - that makes the moment special. And it appeared that there was a celebration of life, a celebration of humanity, going on that evening. Thanks, Craig!
February 16th, 2009 at 4:34 am
Recognition and awareness of our humanity is important. The gritty and graceful expressions are indeed spiritual. Somehow we lose site of this too easily. Music just seems to pull us back into that state of celebration…a place where we’re freed to surrender all pre-conceived notions and be our truest selves.