King Floyd
at Buddy Guy’s Legends

The fans who jammed Buddy Guy’s Legends Saturday night hoping to catch a glimpse of a Rolling Stone instead went to school with some sweet soul music. New Orleans soul singer King Floyd made his first Chicago appearance in 25 years. the Stones - who rumor mongers had said would be making the scene at Buddy Guy’s - were instead rehearsing across the street at Soldier Field for Tuesday’s tour kickoff. Floyd garnered national attention in the summer of 1970 with the hit “Groove Me, “ a celebration of his amalgamated style. Although Floyd began singing as a teenager on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, he recorded his hits at Malaco and Chimneyville Records in Jackson, Miss. Floyd’s spacious vocals are layered in second line rhythms, while his saucy groove is strictly Memphis. Floyd’s first set, which ended just before 1 a.m. Sunday, mixed funky chestnuts like 1975’s “I Feel Like Dynamite” (originally recorded with the Memphis Horns and The Jackson Strings) with soul standards such as Wilson Pickett’s “634-5789” and a stirring version of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me.”

Floyd was backed by the Butanes, a six piece outfit anchored by a pair of horns and Hammond B3. Based out of Minneapolis, The Butanes’ resume includes a road stint with New Orleans guitarist Earl King. A heart attack cancelled Floyd’s appearance at Buddy Guy’s in May. But his vocal muscle is impeccable, and he looked quite natty Saturday in an ocean blue suit accented by a bright yellow shirt. It gave the bespectacled Floyd a Don “Soul Train” Cornelius look, which was appropriate since the last time Floyd was in town he appeared on the Chicago-based dance show. The groove runs as deep now as it did then.
Dave Hoekstra