Buddy Guy Damn Right Farewell Tour @Majestic Theater, Dallas, Texas

March 13, 2023

Buddy Guy
The Majestic Theater
Dallas, Texas
Photos and Article by Artur Brakhman

The show was opened by Ally Venable, a Rock-Blues guitarist from East Texas. As soon as Ally was on stage with her band, she said that it was an honor to share the stage with the blues legend – Buddy Guy, especially because she was inspired by his music and by Stevie Ray Vaughan as well. The night was kicked off with “Use Me”, a Bill Withers cover. There were a few songs from Ally’s catalog, and included a title song from her upcoming album – Real Gone. The set was closed with “Tribute to SRV”. This instrumental had few recognizable elements of a few Stevie Ray Vaughan songs. It was a great tribute to an incredible artist, that’s gone too soon.

Setlist:
Use Me (Bill Withers cover)
Real Gone
Comfort in My Sorrows
Don’t Lose Me
Justifyin’
Back-Water Blues (Bessie Smith cover)
Tribute to SRV

Next on stage was Eric Gales, an amazing Blues artist who’s been releasing his own style of Blues to the world for close to three decades. What’s incredible is that he plays his guitar left handed and upside down, although he’s not left handed! The venue lights were dimmed and an intro to “I Want My Crown” was played over the speakers. Once on stage, Eric introduced himself, he also said that the most important thing to him is that people know who he is and asked the audience “Do you know who I am? Not as a musician, not as a famous person, but as an individual.” He then said that he has struggled with substance abuse for a long time, and that he’s now been sober for 6.5 years. The house was packed, everyone in the audience stood up and cheered! Eric Gales then kicked off his set with “You Don’t Know the Blues”. The next song was “Survivor”, followed by “My Own Best Friend”. The crowd loved that song and got up with loud cheers once it was over. Next was “Put That Back”, a cool funky song that had the audience dancing. At the end of the song, Eric Gales wished all the ladies, including his wife, LaDonna Gales, who is the band’s percussionist, and a back vocalist with a great voice, a happy International Women’s Day. All the ladies in the venue were cheering loud enough that some guys around me covered their ears. The last song of the set was an incredible song – “Too Close to the Fire”. All the songs in the set were from Eric Gales’ latest album – Crown, which was co-written and produced by Joe Bonamassa. I’ve heard a couple of songs from this album last year, but didn’t give them much thought. I can happily say that I am now a fan, after seeing Eric Gales live, and experiencing what he delivered on stage with every song.

Setlist:
I Want My Crown Tape intro
You Don’t Know the Blues
Survivor
My Own Best Friend
Put that Back
Too Close to the Fire

Headlining the sold out show, at the legendary Majestic Theater, was the one and only, legendary Buddy Guy! The man that influenced and collaborated with countless musicians throughout his incredible career.

The lights of the venue were dimmed, the band came on stage, followed by Buddy Guy himself.
The set was kicked off with “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues”. Next, was a medley consisting of the following songs: “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man”, “She’s Nineteen Years Old” and “Love Her With a Feelin’”. Throughout the medley Buddy Guy interacted with the audience and told some jokes, while at the same time, showing off his guitar playing skills. Song after song, medley after medley that spanned Buddy’s career, the crowd was cheering, dancing and enjoying every second of the show. At one point, Buddy Guy, accompanied by his crew, decided to walk in the isles of the venue and play his guitar among the audience. Everyone stood up and watched him as he made his way around the whole floor. He briefly stopped a few feet from the stage, in front of one the venue’s security guards, took his hand and was strumming the guitar with the guard’s hand. Once on stage, surrounded by Ally Venable, Eric Gales and their band members, Buddy said that there was a man in the audience that would like to get on stage and play a song with him. That man was Eric Johnson, the Mayor of Dallas. He didn’t have a guitar with him, but what happened next was a moment to remember. Eric Johnson announced that he proclaimed March 8th and “Buddy Guy Day” in Dallas. Humble as he is, Buddy Guy was touched by this, and simply said “Thank you”. He was speechless for a few minutes and finished off the night with a song called “Everything Gonna Be Alright”.

I was honored to cover this show, which was part of the Damn Right Farewell tour. I had a huge grin on my face the whole time Buddy Guy was on stage, feeling extremely lucky to be in the presence of one of the greatest, legendary Blues musicians. It was also awesome to see three generations of Blues musicians on one stage. This show was definitely unforgettable.

Setlist:
Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues
I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man/She’s Nineteen Years Old/Love Her With a Feelin’
I Just Want to Make Love to You/Chicken Heads
Drowning on Dry Land / Rock Me
Boom Boom/Sunshine of Your Love/Take Me to the River
How Blue Can You Get?
Someone Else Is Steppin’ In
Skin Deep
Fever
I Let My Guitar Do the Talking
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) / Strange Brew
Everything Gonna Be Alright