Buddy Whittington is possibly the most underappreciated blues guitarist in the world. He is tasteful, versatile, and an excellent band leader (as well as a humble band member who allows others to solo and shine). I saw him last night (probably for the fifteenth time) at the Bedford (Texas) Blues and BBQ Festival, and was once again impressed by his playing, stage presence and general virtuosity.

His work with the Sidemen, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and his current band would garner worldwide superstardom a la Clapton, Jimmie Vaughan or SRV, but for the fact that he looks like a plumber instead of a guitar god…(he even comments on his status in the humorous “Second Banana”)…add to that, he is an excellent vocalist. I urge everyone to visit his website (see below) and check out his work.

http://www.buddywhittington.com/

There’s a second reason for this thread, and I will post this separately as well. Many times I have stressed the fact that a player’s tone is in his/her hands; that is, in their attack, touch and “feel”. While the fantabulous Mr. Whittington has his own tone, he referenced several other players last night, both within cover songs as well his own originals. I heard shades of Duane Allman (he played slide in standard tuning on a killer version of “Whipping Post”, led by co-guitarist Mouse Mays), pre-Stratocaster Clapton and Freddie King (on a Freddie King song), Robert Cray and BB King (on a self-penned “social conscience” song about how the system is broken), Billy Gibbons (just during a song) Bonnie Raitt (once again, playing slide in standard tuning) and Stevie Ray (on the song “Stevie Rave On”). All along, and in each of these songs he still sounded just like himself, even while referencing and/or sounding like each of those artists. It seemed he would start the solo or rhythm as himself, sonically refer to the other artist(s), and go back to himself

The reason this was so amazing? His signal chain consisted of (1) his beloved dead-stock ’63 Stratocaster, (2) a cord, (3) a small Dr. Z amplifier…ok, I lied, he also had a tuner pedal somewhere in there, because he touched up his tuning during one of Mouse May’s solos.

He had a second guitar (a Gibson 335/355 of some sort) on standby, but he never picked it up after soundcheck.

Who do you know that is under-appreciated?

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Dude! I was there in the section in front of the stage. Did you see the tall good looking guy with all the chicks crawling all over him?


























Well that was somebody else.

I am going to start going to see Buddy at the Keys Lounge and some of his other local gigs.

Hi Screamin' Armadillo: plenty of appreciation for Buddy Whittington coming from this direction, I assure you.

A very cool slide player: when people ask about tunings for slide I often mention that Buddy uses standard tuning and does fine with it. As you said.

A super tasty player, and modest and self-depricating with it. Which just makes it all the nicer!

Cheers - C

Cherokee747--I appreciate that you have pointed out that Bob posted his Bedford Bluesfest experience on a different thread; however, both of my threads, although mentioning Buddy Whittington, have little to do with his thread or even with one another.

Bob's thread was celebrating the great event itself (and it was great!).
The first of my threads was about how under-appreciated Buddy Whittington is (it ended with the question, "who do you know that is under-appreciated?") and the second was directed at wanna-bees and the fact that tone is in your hands.

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Just trying to help, it's all good. Glad you enjoyed the Bluesfest............. Mike

_________________
The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

No prob, my brother--it's all good!

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals