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Wall Street is Bullish on the Blues With Buddy Guy, Quinn Sullivan and John Mayall
It was the scene of national tragedy over a decade ago. More recently, the region became a source of fiscal frustration as the economic collapse descended upon the country. Now, lower Manhattan in New York City is continuing to deliver the blues - but this time some of the good kind when the second annual two-day Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival took place on July 11th and 12th, 2012 at the World Financial Center Plaza (WFC) located at 220 Vesey Street in NYC.
 The legendary Buddy Guy makes a point at the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival. The event was presented by Brookfield Office Properties under the umbrella of arts>Brookfield who hosts events such as the free Blues Festival to offer artists in various mediums opportunities to work in new and unusual spaces while providing cultural experiences for tenants and visitors. Each evening of the Blues Festival featured three musicians. The lineup for Wednesday July 11th showcased the legendary Buddy Guy. Buddy has countless accolades and awards to his credit. Guy has influenced many guitar greats including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Also on the bill was John Mayall who is often referred to as the "Father of the British Blues". It was his band The Bluesbreakers that launched the careers of Jack Bruce, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor and many more. Wednesday's concert starring two founding fathers also introduced an up-and-coming artist named Quinn Sullivan. The 13-year old prodigy has toured with Buddy on numerous occasions and he has already appeared on national television. Quinn's course appears to be following in the footsteps of other successful guitarists who started young with Joe Bonamassa and Kenny Wayne Shepherd coming to mind.
 Quinn Sullivan is an up-and-coming 13-year-old musical prodigy who started playing guitar at age 5. Soundpress.net had the pleasure of attending the first night of the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival at the plaza near the water on July 11th, 2012. Outdoor concerts are better with nice weather and on Wednesday it was sunny with a breeze blowing in from the Hudson River which was close to the stage. WFC is in the heart of the financial district surrounded by cafes and impressive buildings. Prior to the show, we discovered the lovely greenway that runs along the waterfront down to Battery Park where we saw boats and the Statue of Liberty. John Mayall took the stage around six with a greeting to the packed plaza and introduced his band. They started off smoking with a sizzling "All Your Love" followed by a sultry "Long Gone Midnight" - both featured expert and expansive jamming. John presented " Congo Square " a newer piece that was potent and primal with its funky grooves countered by a soulful cover of Otis Rush's "So Many Roads". The song ran the range from reflective to rocking. Throughout the set, Mayall switched from keys to harmonica as he handled lead vocals. The band was skilled and a number of times the guys were smiling implying that they were enjoying the gig.
 John Mayall is the standard bearer for authentic British blues. John performed a number of songs from his Blues from Laurel Canyon album along with a peppy version of "Parchman Farm" that fans were clapping along to. "Nothing To Do with Love" and the closer "Mail Order Mystics" were hot with each instrument floating to the top of the jamming mixes. John Mayall and his band raised the bar high and Quinn Sullivan catapulted over it! Quinn was backed by Buddy Guy's able band. Armed with a Fender, Sullivan started with his single "My Sweet Guitar" that showcased that this kid has skill. It was almost like an old sprit had taken possession of Sullivan. Quinn played and sang with depth - understanding subtle nuances of songs. Throughout his set he layering lavish leads and looked so at ease. His expansion of Hendrix's "Little Wing" was comparable to the Clapton version and perhaps even elevated by Sullivan's soaring solos.
 The capacity crowd packed it in for the second annual event at the World Financial Plaza. Quinn mentioned his debut CD Cyclone stating that he would be signing CDs afterwards and invited people to come over and say hi. The song was a whirlwind of dynamic changes and at one point there was a whistle like sound coming from Quinn's instrument. Buddy' band added a bold back drop to this potent piece. Quinn explained that the next song was about the first time he met Buddy Guy and thanked Buddy for inviting him to open. The musical story was a fine tribute to his mentor. During the track, Quinn paced the platform playing to different parts of the audience. Sullivan was not flashy and it will be interesting to see how his stage presence evolves. Especially since Quinn is a prodigy of Guy a stellar guitar player and showman. Quinn and the band ended with a passionate spin on "Why Does Love Have To Be So Sad". Sullivan - regardless of his age - was amazing. We were left wondering that if Quinn is this good now - where will he be in ten years? Sullivan is a rising star and we will be keeping an eye on his progress!
 The still under construction Freedom Tower was the back-drop for this rising music festival. Buddy Guy - who just recently published a memoir - came out with a smile and a slight bow to the crowd. Buddy and his band went full force into a fast guitar solo singing about a repressive woman. Guy right from the start was working the stage and the audience. "You all brought me here to play the blues - play something so funky you can smell it," teased Guy as they moved into a slow sultry song. Buddy - in a playful mood - drew notes from the guitar pointing and smiling at folks. He then turned his strings to face him rubbing the instrument against his body for different sounds before returning to more forceful fret work. When the NYC crowd did not handle the hook lines to his liking he jested that he played this song in India three weeks ago, commenting "you know what they did not fuck it up like you did". Forgiving New York he sizzled on the next guitar solo.
 Buddy Guy performs at the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival in 2012. Buddy continued to blend various blues styles, storytelling and showmanship into his set. Guy talked about his most recent record Living Proof and played "74 Years Young". The song ran from subtle to stunning. Mid-show Guy walked out into the audience continuing to sing and strum much to the delight of fans in the aisles that he strolled by. Guy mentioned the Skin Deep album declaring that he dedicated it to his mother who never got to see him play. The title track was rich and reflective punctuated by robust riffs and build ups before returning to a slower pace. This was a powerful piece with the important reminder to treat people like you want them to treat you. Guy talked about meeting Quinn and invited Sullivan to come out and jam. The two were soon conversing with their guitars. Sullivan stuck with an electric as Buddy picked up an acoustic. They put their own beguiling spin on the Cream classic "Strange Brew". Next, was a shimmering version of "Feels Like Rain". Buddy sang inviting the crowd to join in as Quinn added electric accents to the tune. They finished with an other-worldly version of "Voodoo Child"!
 Quinn Sullivan performs at the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival in 2012. Night one of the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival was a success with a near-capacity turnout and nearly flawless weather. From our vantage point things ran smoothly and stage turnovers were quick. The line-up was a fine mix of two well-known artists and a new one giving hope that the blues and arts>brookfield will continue to touch people in NYC and beyond for many years to come! Night two featured Neko Case - a Grammy nominated singer and songwriter. Neko is known for developing her own unique sound that blends country, gospel, pop and torch. Case shared the stage with Charles Bradley whose album No Time For Dreaming released in 2011 has been raising quite a stir. Rounding out the schedule was the band He's My Brother, She's My Sister led by siblings Rob and Rachel Kolar with tap dancer Lauren Brown and cellist Satya Bhabha. Together, they create a mix of folk, glam and western swing. Their live performances are full of dancing, energy, humor and nostalgia. More excellent events will be taking place on the plaza in the shadow of the emerging Freedom Tower. On August 25, 2012 arts>Brookfield will present Escort and Darcy James Argue Secret Society at the WFC in concert performing their groove-based music.
 John Mayall performs at the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival in 2012. Related Links: For more information on the LOWDOWN HUDSON BLUES FESTIVAL and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - arts>Brookfield | Buddy Guy | Quinn Sullivan | John Mayall
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