LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Buddy Guy made blues history with harmonica man Junior Wells, but always reached out to younger partners like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck.

His choice for Wednesday's opening-slot stand at the Hollywood Bowl was a bit of a shocker: Pop star John Mayer, the young singer and guitarist who won a 2003 Grammy for his hit tune "Your Body Is a Wonderland," brought along his solid body guitar to trade fours with Guy midset on the latter's classic "Feels Like Rain."

Mayer, a Stevie Ray Vaughan fan until he heard Guy play, left the pop swamps far behind him as he drew inspiration from his idol. He roved his own wonderland, at one point throwing out a dissonant passage of swift, Hendrix-style chords that Guy easily topped without humiliating his guest.

This was a liaison made in their blue heaven. Mayer knows his blues and deployed a big, clear sound with phrasing almost as clear and memorable as his host. Guy favored him with a big grin as he answered with dirty, burning courtesy. They were having so much fun that they forgot all their other numbers and filled half the set with this one.

The headliner, Etta James, took the stage with her booming Roots Band, but the screeching trumpets, trombone, organ patches and pile-driver drumming and bass playing did not have -- what would you call it? -- the grandeur, the elevation, the undeniable conviction, the historical weight of Guy's outfit. More>>>

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posted by ADMIN @ Friday, July 29, 2005