24 PASADENA WEEKLY | <strong>08.09.18</strong>
PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS •INTO THE NIGHT• BY BLISS BOWEN ‘The Blues is Alive and Well’ LEGENDARY GUITARIST BUDDY GUY LIGHTS UP THE ROSE SATURDAY NIGHT •NITELIFE• Thursday Aug. 09 through Wednesday Aug. 15 PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for Calendar submissions is noon. Wednesday of the week before the issue publishes. PASADENA, SOUTH PASADENA & ALTADENA 1881 Bar 1881 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena (626) 314-2077 facebook.com/1881bar Fridays—Live jazz Saturdays—Gypsie jazz Wednesdays—Reggae The Blue Guitar Arroyo Seco Golf Course 1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena blueguitar.club Thursday—Acoustic Asylum The Boulevard Bar 3199 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena (626) 356-9304 blvdbar.com Fridays—Drag performances hosted by Tia Wanna every Friday Cabrera’s Mexican Cuisine 655 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena (626) 795-0230 cabreras.com Thursdays—Live jazz Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays—Karaoke Coffee Gallery Backstage 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena (626) 798-6236 coffeegallery.com Friday—Jennifer Leitham & Yarone Levy Saturday—Tall Men Group Sunday—Ellen Snortland’s “Now that She’s Gone” solo show Wednesday—Rize Up w/Roy Zimmerman Der Wolfskopf 72 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena (626) 219-6054 derwolfskopf.com Fridays—“Night Court” features Deejay Kind Cromang spinning vinyl soul, funk, disco and boogie Edwin Mills by Equator 22 Mills Place, Pasadena (626) 564-8656 edwinmills.com Friday—Ana Gazzola Tuesday—Close Quarters Jazz Quartet Wednesday—Matt Barber El Portal Restaurant 695 E. Green St., Pasadena (626) 795-8553 elportalrestaurant.com Fridays—Mariachi México Saturdays—Alanniz Sundays—Mariachi Bella Ice House 24 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena (626) 577-1894 icehousecomedy.com Thursday—Matt Braunger and Friends Friday—Hollywood Comes to Pasadena; The Chill w/Josh Adam Meyers Saturday—Cool Beans Comedy; 5-Star Comedy w/Bob Zany Sunday—Harriet Rose: Don’t Worry, I’m Jewish; Fritz Coleman Speaks to a Generation Benefit for Union Station Homeless Services and Knights of Columbus; Dave McNary’s All- Star Variety Show –CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 BADASS. That might as well be enshrined in quotes between “Buddy” and “Guy,” a la Bobby “Blue” Bland’s defining nickname. The Chicago legend’s revered by guitarists as much for his enduring tenacity as for his virile, searing tone. He never projected the earthy majesty of Muddy Waters or the hypnotic mojo of John Lee Hooker, and his onstage flash contrasted sharply with the tasteful restraint of B.B. King (an early influence). But rock icons Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Stevie Ray Vaughan all bowed at the altar of Guy’s swagger and fearless style. No doubt flattered but also business-savvy, Guy encouraged those connections with the rock world — and its larger audiences. In his early years, after migrating from his native Louisiana to Chicago in 1957, Guy ran with the supportive likes of Willie Dixon, Freddie King, Otis Rush and Magic Sam. Despite recording for the venerable Chess Records, solo success proved elusive, so he played sessions for Koko Taylor and Howlin’ Wolf, and provided the fierce guitar spark to Junior Wells’ charismatic vocal and harmonica presence on 1965’s landmark “Hoodoo Man Blues.” Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page publicly sang the praises of Guy’s albums for Chess and Vanguard — Clapton even co-produced 1972’s “Buddy Guy & Junior Wells Play the Blues,” and guested, along with Beck and Mark Knopfler, on 1991’s statement-making “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues” (a title Guy repurposed for his 1999 autobiography). Not until then did Guy finally experience the career breakthrough that had long been predicted for him. His studio recordings have received more mainstream attention since then, while a steady stream of compilations (especially the 2006 box set “Can’t Quit the Blues”) have introduced newcomers to his back catalogue. Most importantly, Guy, who marked his 82nd birthday on July 30, has retained his musical potency. His recently released “The Blues is Alive and Well” is a 15-track celebration with a starry guest list: Beck, Richards, James Bay, and a harmonica-blowing Mick Jagger all show up to pay their respects. In those collective hands, the album’s title speaks truth. “The last man standing on a empty stage/ If life was the book I’d be the last page,” Guy moans over defiant guitar lines during “End of the Line.” “Even though I got one foot in the grave/ I won’t be quiet and I won’t behave, no.” Swampy stomper “Whiskey for Sale” and “Cognac,” a greasy exchange of solos with Beck and Richards, both demonstrate that age has not extinguished Guy’s taste for mischief — nor his ability to outshine his acolytes with still muscular fretwork and vocals. Unlike many such releases by elder musical statesmen, Guy doesn’t need celebrity supporters to prop him up. He’s still showing them how it’s done. n Buddy Guy headlines at the Rose in Paseo Colorado, 245 E. Green St., Pasadena, at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11; $88-$108. Doors open 6 p.m. Box office: (888) 645-5006. Buddyguy.com, wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com Brothers in Song DELGADO BROTHERS RELEASE NEW CD AT THE LANGHAM For some great Latin blues, check out the Langham Huntington, Pasadena Saturday night as the Delgado Brothers perform at a release party for their new CD, “Two Trains.” The band — three brothers and a friend — have been an LA fixture for more than 30 years now. The band delivers a sound that’s driven by a fiercely independent attitude, call-to-action lyrics and unified by a strong sense of family and a good dose of East LA soul. The group has succeeded by using their music to speak to the “every man” sensibilities of life, including love, loss and triumph, cutting across racial and socioeconomic lines. It’s based on life experience that’s relatable to nearly everyone. Each member brings to the musical table a unique style of musicianship that has helped make the band a worldwide phenomenon. Check them out at delgadobrothers.com. — John Sollenberger Music starts at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Langham Huntington, Pasadena, 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena. No cover. Call (626) 568-3900 or visit langhamhotels.com/pasadena. <strong>08.09.18</strong> | PASADENA WEEKLY 25