09-15-2003, 10:48 PM
I just got back from the Telluride, CO Brews and Blues festival today... that's that festival of three days of nothing but live blues music and beer tasting. The headliners were great (Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy, and the Allman Bros. Band). The Allman Bros (as expected) were incredible. Derek Trucks, the 23-year-old guitar genius that replaced Dicky Betts in the band, stuck mostly to slide rhythm guitar, but also had some great solos (example: their intro was 45 minutes long, and Trucks soloed a lot of it). However, even though they kicked ass, the performance that i thought was best was Buddy Guy.
For one thing, Guy is 68 years old, and still one of the best electric guitarists ever. He did an amazing cover of Hendrix's Voodoo Chile, which is ironic, since when hendrix was alive, he was doing Buddy Guy covers. But not only this, but he actually talked to the audience, and even did a little improvisation (he was so impressed with the Telluride area, which is all mountains all around a beautiful valley, that he was reminded of that Hendrix lyric ["i'm standin' next to a mountain / i chop it down with the edge of me hand"], so he decided to perform it on a whim). He also moved all over the stage, and really wailed on that awesome sounding Fender Buddy Guy signature model Stratocaster (it's a tweaked Strat decorated with a solid black background and white poka-dots all over).
And Otis Taylor also has a great act, and i'm disappointed that he didn't take the headliner from Joe Cocker (who was of medium interest). He had Buddy Miles do drums in his set, which was a pleasant surprise, as well.
anyway, i just thought i should share. next year, everyone make plans to go, i don't care what you might be doing with your life, or where you'll be, IT DOESN'T MATTER. this was an amazing 3 days, and i'll never forget them.
For one thing, Guy is 68 years old, and still one of the best electric guitarists ever. He did an amazing cover of Hendrix's Voodoo Chile, which is ironic, since when hendrix was alive, he was doing Buddy Guy covers. But not only this, but he actually talked to the audience, and even did a little improvisation (he was so impressed with the Telluride area, which is all mountains all around a beautiful valley, that he was reminded of that Hendrix lyric ["i'm standin' next to a mountain / i chop it down with the edge of me hand"], so he decided to perform it on a whim). He also moved all over the stage, and really wailed on that awesome sounding Fender Buddy Guy signature model Stratocaster (it's a tweaked Strat decorated with a solid black background and white poka-dots all over).
And Otis Taylor also has a great act, and i'm disappointed that he didn't take the headliner from Joe Cocker (who was of medium interest). He had Buddy Miles do drums in his set, which was a pleasant surprise, as well.
anyway, i just thought i should share. next year, everyone make plans to go, i don't care what you might be doing with your life, or where you'll be, IT DOESN'T MATTER. this was an amazing 3 days, and i'll never forget them.