Buddy Guy King of Ottawa Bluesfest

Last night Ottawa’s Bluesfest was host to a living legend, Buddy Guy. At 82 years of age, he still rocks the shit out of a guitar and holds the audience in the palm of his hand.

You would think having one of the last remaining greats of any music genre at your festival you would want them on the grand stage for all to see. For Buddy Guy, this wouldn’t be the case. Last night at Ottawa’s Bluesfest the Videotron stage was host to Mr Guy’s performance.  At the very least you would have thought that he would have been on the “Bluesville” stage but no out back at the Videotron stage it was. Regardless, this wasn’t going to stop fans of all ages from packing what limited space was available to see the iconic bluesman.

As the band played intro music Mr. Guy walked onto the stage clad in his black and white polka dot shirt, white pants and hat with his signature Honey Blonde Fender Strat, simultaneously the band and Guy bust into “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues”. When played live it has about a 5-minute guitar solo right off the bat. Surveying the crowd everyone had the look of holy crap the set just started and I have no face left as Buddy Guy just melted it off. Once the song ended the crowd erupted with applause and smiles of approval. Guy looked overjoyed, thanked everyone for coming out, and said he was gonna play something so funky you could smell it. Off into “Hoochie Coochie Man” followed by “She’s Nineteen Years Old” Guy and the band went. Not only were we graced with Guy shredding the guitar, but his rhythm guitarist Ric Jaz Hall also destroys the guitar with blazing leads. Guy thanked the crowd many times and told the audience that back in the day around 1967 he never thought he was good enough to play the guitar Until he came up to Canada. It was here that he learned how good he was and after that, there was no looking back. Paying tribute to some of the greats like John Lee Hooker, BB King, and Eric Clapton was a definite highlight. The uncanny ability he has to get the audience to participate with his songs and his antics on stage is astonishing as well and downright hilarious. Guaranteed everyone walked away from his set stoked knowing they just witnessed a Legend kill it at Bluesfest.

Over at the Bluesville stage, Hamilton’s The Trews hit the stage opening with “Vintage Love”. The crowd spilled out from under the tent well into the concession area. Their fans were feeling no pain as the beer lines were very long and the air was filled with a very pungent aroma. Following “Vintage Love” the band busted into their big hits “Not Ready to Go” and “So She’s Leaving”. The audience were true fans as they sang along to the choruses loud and proud.

The City Stage was packed full of young fans as Nashville star Lennon Stella performed. Growing up in a musical family she was destined to be a star. Her voice sounded as if she had been performing much longer then she has for a 19-year-old, and her professionalism shined as during a solo song with just herself and her guitar the guitar cut out half way thru the song and she just kept strumming away waiting on her tech to fix the problem and moved on with the song.

Earlier in the evening Ottawa native Sue Foley played the Videotron stage. Foley slays the guitar with grace and style like a true blues player. From her sound, one would think she was straight out of the Mississippi Delta.  Definitely glad I was able to catch some of her set. If you see her advertised playing your town do yourself a favor and go check her set out.  You will not be disappointed.

At the beginning of the night, another local  Ottawa band Scary Bear Soundtrack hit up the Bluesville stage.  If you are a fan of indy synth pop then these guys are right up your alley.

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