Blues Weekend
The party is at Sly McFly's this weekend with Guitar Shorty and Chris Cain.
Thursday, April 20, 2000
What''s Up, Chuck?
Guitar Shorty''s fans say that his onstage, acrobatic antics inspired a sense of showmanship in both Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy. That''s quite a compliment if it''s true. And if it isn''t true...who cares? The little guy plays a big blues guitar, he''s got a soulful voice and he''s so amped-up on stage that you''re not gonna care about historical details when you see him at Sly McFly''s on Friday.
William David "Guitar Shorty" Kearny''s been thrilling audiences with his showmanship since the late ''50s, and he credits Guitar Slim, with whom he toured, as his inspiration for aggressive showmanship. Although Shorty was just an opening act for Slim, he decided he could top the star''s act: While Slim would do stuff like ride around on his valet''s shoulder while playing the guitar, Shorty learned how to turn flips while playing riffs.
What sets Shorty apart from some garden-variety novelty act, is that he''s a damn fine guitar man. Mostly you''ll hear Texas-style scorchers burning off his strings, but you''ll also hear a little bit of Louisiana swamp seeping from under his bridge, and some echoes of good-time rhythm ''n'' blues blowin'' out of his amps.
And, if you''re looking for more straight-ahead blues, the party at Sly''s is just beginning. Chris Cain returns to Sly''s on Saturday. The high-powered guitarist was nominated for four WC Handy awards when he released his debut recording back in 1987, and the Bay Area guitar man has never looked back. He''s been a regular visitor to the area for the last 10 years, and has a steady following of Monterey Peninsula fans.
Guitar Shorty, Friday; Chris Cain, Saturday, 9pm both nights. Sly McFly''s, 649-8050.
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