One of the heavy players in the blues circuit is and has been Guitar Shorty. Shorty has played for audiences all around the country, written some really good stuff, and become known for his heavy blues style and stage performances. I put together a few performances from Shorty that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. From the videos, he sounds and looks like he puts on a great show as well, playing some traditional blues and updating the progressions a little bit for some musical twists and turns. Check out a few of his performances below and let me know what you think of Guitar Shorty!
This first video features a performance from SXSW 2008 in Austin, TX. You can tell the crowd is as happy to see Shorty as he is to play for them. Enjoy the song, “Old School,” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F5ndBjbN0s.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/8F5ndBjbN0s” height=”420″ rel=”0″]
While this next video doesn’t actually have any video, the recording rocks. It’s a tune Shorty recorded called, “We The People,” and it features a heavy groove. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HdMuylfqcg.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/8HdMuylfqcg” height=”420″ rel=”0″]
Lastly, Guitar Shorty joined up with Walter Trout on stage for this next video. Check out the live duo performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzMm9mwOLDA.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/yzMm9mwOLDA” height=”420″ rel=”0″]
I hope you enjoyed hearing from the great Guitar Shorty. He’s one of the few guys around that’s really carrying the blues scene for audiences all around the country. There’s more coming your way at Blues Guitar Unleashed so stay tuned.
Thanks,
Griff
4 replies to "Old School Blues With Guitar Shorty"
Good point Greg. I would love to see these some of these Blues greats travel north and play at our Danceland, one of the few remaining dance halls with a horse hair floor underlayment. We had Fred Eaglesmith here this past summer again and he loves the place. Any promoters out there interested in doing that please contact me and I will help set it up! Starved for the Blues up here.
Shorty and Walter Trout what a great duo.
Thanks for turning me on to Guitar Shorty! Great stuff to say the least. Gotta go practice, a very long time.
The great thing about these guys — and it’ something I didn’t realize until I got a bit older — was their accessibility to the fans. In one of the videos Guitar Shorty is playing in what looks like a large tent and the crowd is standing right in front of him and the band. He’s accessible; an “everyman” kind of performer we can reach out and touch.
Jimmy Thackery is the same way. A few months ago I saw him play in Gainesville, Fla. at a little joint. He helped unload the van, set up the stage like a roadie and then proceeded to play some killer blues guitar for nearly two hours. Then it was time to load up and head down the road after signing autographs and meeting the 100 or so fans there. Amazing!
There’s no rock star prima donna stuff with these guys. It’s blue collar blues all the way.