POP MUSIC REVIEW : Clapton Jams With Bluesman Buddy Guy

The headliner at the Roxy on Wednesday night was respected blues singer-guitarist Buddy Guy, but much of the reason for the excited buzz as show time neared in the sold-out club was the rumor that guitar-god Eric Clapton would be sitting in with Guy.

And unlike so many rumors about special guests at clubs, this one proved to be true. In what was believed to have been Clapton’s first public performance since the accidental death of his son in March, the British guitarist did join Guy and his four-piece band in the first set for some jam-session-style frolicking.

On a scale of Clapton performances, this one doesn’t really rate high. He did some background noodling and took on the headliner in duels on some slow, rock-based blues. But it was all in good fun, so no one seemed to mind the informality. The audience yelled with appreciation over almost every Clapton lick. He could have played the scale and gotten a standing ovation.

Guitarist Richie Sambora, a member of Bon Jovi, joined them for a short, impassioned solo, but the crowd was so in awe of Clapton that Sambora’s stint was hardly noticed.

Guy was in unusually good form--particularly on rock-based pieces. Despite some of the guitarist’s usual showboating, Guy’s set--made up of blues-rock, old blues and R&B; hits like “Mustang Sally” and “Knock on Wood”--was mostly satisfying.