Buddy Guy

Years ago, I was at the Montreal music library and took a chance on a Chess Records compilation. It was one of the best things I could have done for myself musically.

I was meant to learn that Blues music is very important to any music lover's consciousness and Chess Records is the alpha & omega record label.

Although I was aware of his name for years, hearing First Time I Met the Blues from that compilation would be my first time hearing Buddy Guy. It would be the only song I would know of his until a purchase of Buddy's Blues last year.



I didn't get around to listening to the CD until a few days ago. The 15 tracks didn't finish playing before the inspiration to blog about Buddy Guy hit me.

What I took away from that initial Chess Records compilation was that Buddy Guy was among the youngest of the label's blues recording artists and Buddy's Blues reinforced my initial observations. Aside from the gravelly-voiced Howling Wolf or grandfatherly-sounding Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy's youthful blues singing and wails gave me the impression he was the next generation's blues leader in training.


First Time I Met The Blues has all of the conditions I need for me to like it. With my love for screaming soul singers, Guy's delivery gives me the dramatics I enjoy in a song as well.

When the opportunity presented itself for me to buy Buddy's Blues, I knew I would get over a dozen more chances to experience Buddy Guy's music. Stone Crazy and Pretty Baby caught my attention and ear after my first listen.

I have yet to catch a live Buddy Guy performance and I believe he was in my city not too long ago. Thanks to YouTube, I am able to see the Blues legend at work.

Bonobo

I was a bit surprised, but still thrilled, to hear Bonobo's Black Sands was getting remix treatment at the time.

My logic was that if the magic of the original Black Sands repeats on the Remixed album, the remix album could also make its way onto future playlists of my former radio show.

I remember going nuts and straight to Twittter when Andy Williams played Kong on a late 2012 broadcast of The Goods.

I wanted to see Bonobo & Andreya Triana live at Le National when they were last in Montreal but it didn’t happen.  I just got re-acquainted with this earlier work and waited patiently until my next opportunity.



In addition to Bonobo's most recent album called The North Borders, his Late Night Tales compilation was released late in November 2013.

Bonobo performed at Metropolis for the 2014 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

Chaka Khan

As a boy, I learned she had a career before I was born but had no means to conceptualize that fact.  Next would be the iconic I Feel For You in 1984.  

I had wondered for a good while whether Chaka Khan was already inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame considering that it has been more than 25 years since the release of her solo debut album.

I also had the pleasure of catching her performance at Metropolis for the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

Take the time to revisit some classic Chaka Khan when you can, live or otherwise.

It would take my being much older to now own some of her albums and CDs recorded before and after my birth.  

I figured that if she is not already inducted, this is the ideal time to honor her and her Rufus band mates.

Her first imprint in my musical consciousness was with Ain’t Nobody.