The Bluest Blues

On By ResaIn Famous People, Murals

A young Buddy Guy.

Wonder why his guitar looks like he’s playing left handed?

Dexter Gordon

Donnie Walsh from “Downchild Blues Band” on harmonica.

Background ghost musicians.

This amazing mural is on Grossman’s Tavern in Toronto.

Grossman’s is almost kitty corner from the El Mocambo, made famous by The Rolling Stones in 1977.

Grossman’s – since 1943.

I lived 1 block up the street, for 15 years. Many stories, but that’s for when I get a porch & a rocking chair.

Pics taken by Resa – Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Toronto, Canada

The Artist: John Nobrega – w/Allan Bender & Haven Hughes

This video is from Downchild’s 40th year celebration.

Research: Kat asked Nobrega on IG who was who, but his profile is now gone.

All found online.

135 thoughts on “The Bluest Blues”

    1. TOF!
      Yeah, I tend to lean left. Lol, left, right, whatever, it’s a great mural, and music is one of the wonderful things in life. Thank you!

    1. Thanks Dave! I loved shooting this mural. The mural is so fab, I could hear music coming from it. Wait! I know that tune. It’s on the tip of my tongue. If I try not to think about it, it’ll come to me!

    1. It is a wonderful mural. I just love it!
      Yes, I thought of a mirror image. Still, it didn’t settle. I kept looking in the mirror with my air guitar, and turning around. I’m a bit dizzy, now.

  5. I like this one very much, can almost feel the music, love the moody colors, very nice!
    Note…a few weeks ago, was coming home, maybe a bit tipsy…saw a nice little mural, took out my phone, never got the shot, but drop my phone changing the posture to get a nicer composition…completely shattered screen, now I can laugh about it 🙂

    1. Agree, JMR! It’s a very cool mural.
      OMG! Did you get a new phone? Did you find the mural again?
      If you do, get the pics!!! BUT don’t drop your phone! xx
      How is your pussy cat?

      1. She’s well, made a quick post last night on my photography site…yes new phone, the salesman, a young man wanted me to buy an insurance, told him I won’t drop it again…or at least not on a concrete back alley…:) Have to return to photograph it, probably not a so great one, did like the lighting at night, maybe was the remnant of a 5 to 7 with my previous coworkers, did have time to let the alcohol evaporate, was walking being in the mood where you think you have really good ideas..:D

        1. Was looking for your cat. I think I was on the wrong site.
          Yes….. I know that mood. 🙄 I’m in one now, working on my new Art Gown. xx

          1. Yes it is on my ‘other site’, should post it here too, never too much of Maya I think, people like cat’s story…did not made video yet, maybe would be a hit…:D

  6. Oh my …. this entire post is a tribute to the blues. The mural is spectacular. The color, the people, the theme, and a lot of class. Then the music that you added … whew … two types of jazz – blues and swing. Love both of the videos. A toast to the host on this one. Clink!

    1. Thanks Frank!
      Clink, Clink!
      Yeah, it’s a wonderful mural. I went google eyed when I saw it. I must have found it days after it was completed.
      The last mural that was there was there for about 5-6 years. So, when I saw the new one, I wondered where I was.
      Love the music, too. You were the one who turned me on to “Playing for Change”.
      Extra “Clink” on that!

    1. How cool to have a Buddy Guy song at one’s funeral. I was thinking of Janis Joplin for mine, and Jimi Hendrix.
      I love the video of “Skin Deep”. What a performance!

  9. Great mural! The left-hand guitar was obvious artistic license for the total composition – a lot of people wouldn’t notice, but people who play or know guitar, well… Anyway, it is still great!

    1. Finally, I just got back, but saw your comment this morning. Of course, creative license is one of my thoughts. My guitar playing husband and I analyzed it for a good bit.
      It is a fab mural, whatever the artist had in mind. I knew you’d have something to say. Thank you!
      Oh, speaking of guitar players, Oannes feature a Zappa guitar solo the other day. I still have a lump in my throat. Did you hear it?

      1. People often forget how great of a guitarist Zappa was. I will admit, I have at least a dozen of his albums on CD, now burned to iTunes, but I don’t have the handful of super popular ones – Apostrophe, Overnight Sensations and Joe’s Garage. After listening to that solo, I need to pick up Joe’s Garage! And perhaps the other two that I mentioned as well.

        1. Me too! I need to get “Joe’s Garage” and a few more. That guitar solo is killer!
          And, because of all his cool tunes, yes, I did forget his powerful guitar prowess.

    1. It’s a great one for sure. Been listening to a lot of Buddy Guy since.
      Hey, Oannes featured a Zappa guitar solo the other day. I’ve still got a lump in my throat. I listened a couple of times.
      xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

    1. Yeah, sometimes the blues actually make me feel, not blue, but beautiful…bluetiful..
      Yes, bricks in the wall, but don’t tell Floyd. Actually, a Pink Floyd mural on a brick wall would be stellar! xoxo

    1. Thank you and my pleasure!
      It’s always a great day when I find fabulous street art. Then it’s another great day when I post it! 💙💜💙💜

  13. Gorgeous mural you captured, Sorceress! Love the blues of the Blues. Curious that the artist made Buddy left-handed…. unless it’s not Buddy? Or are all the artists listed somewhere? I admit I would not have recognized all of them, myself.
    Wonderful post in images and music!

    1. Thank you dear Thunder!
      Yeah, I was shakin’ when I found this one.
      It is Buddy. Norm recognized him right off. If you check out the pic of him at the bottom of the post, it appears that the artist used that photo to go from.
      The pose is reversed, and the expression on Buddy’s face is muted in the painting, but look closely!
      The hair is the same, the lips (especially upper) is Buddy, black shirt/ white tie. He has no skinny moustache over his top lip. It was a huge style then. Everyone seemed to sport one.
      The sax player in the pic is almost exact in the painting.
      Donnie the harmonica player is well known in blues circles. He’s from Toronto, as is “Downchild Blues Band”. So, that makes sense, too.
      For some reason the artist took down his IG page.
      He probably got sick of people asking “Who”?

      The wall artists do use pics when they paint. Or they use their own drawings, as a map.
      I have never seen anyone use projection.
      I did do some other investigating. All seem to agree, but someone thought John Lee Hooker…not!
      I had a hoot making the post for this mural. It lead to hours of listening to music.

      xoxoxoxo

      1. I didn’t really doubt it was him, of course. It does look like him but was just wondering, as you, why he reversed the guitar-playing. It is a weird choice to make.
        I love this mural.
        Hey, Most artists do have to start with something. A photo seems to me a good place to start (not everyone has a photographic memory!)
        Wonderful post images and music!

        xoxo
        And you’re right,

        1. Yeah!
          Thunder, I still am amazed how an artist can look at a pic in their hand and make it BIG on a wall.
          I suppose the main thing that comes to mind about the reversal is composition.

          Speaking of composition, I’m at the point where something is needed for the Art Gown, that other element that makes it art.
          So, draping in the tail and searching at the same time.
          It’s gloomy dark here and I need sun to see. Looks like we will get some this week. Of course they lied last week.
          xoxoxo

          1. It blows me away every time.
            Oooh… I don’t doubt you’ll find that “it” thing it needs. It is dark and gloomy here, too. I’m trying to motivate myself to do… well, anything!! All our beautiful snow is disappearing. They are calling for more tomorrow but yanno… after the rain, it’s gonna be uuuuugly.
            xoxoxo

  14. Jazz and Blues are not only music; they are Jazz and Blues! It’s a great art; I can even hear that music while watching the scene. Thank you, dear Resa.🙏🎸🎵💖🖖🤗🌺🎹

    1. Thank you, Alaedin! I hear the music, too.
      Music is one of the great experiences of being alive, to me.
      🎼🌺🎹🎸🎵💖🎼

    1. Agree! I hear music coming off of it. Of course when I lived up the street, music did emanate from that wall every night. Good thing I loved live music! (still do)
      I did spend some time researching this one. In the process I listened to days of fab music. I’m so lucky!
      🎼🐂 🐂 🐂 🐂🎼

  19. Dear Resa , such a fabulous post to take us into the weekend! So beautiful and a fine tribute to these iconic Blues singers and writers. I truly believe there is no finer Blues singer than Buddy Guy, of course they are a wonderful. I love the beautiful blue colors in the post . Most of all I want you to pull up a rocking chair and share some of those rockin’ stories you’re keeping undercover!
    Love ya Meece !
    xoxoxo

    1. Thanks for the Reblog dear Meece!
      I’m listening to you on Maxima. Excellent! You make him look good.
      It is a wonderful mural. Because of it, I’ve been listening to a lot of Buddy Guy over the last week.
      You are right. He’s one of the best, if not the best.
      LOL! Actually, it’s been a long time since I rocked……… in a chair! 🤣
      Anyway, I’ll get there soon enough. We’re looking for a new place. I’ll add porch to the list of must haves.
      Love ya, too! 🐭2🐭 communications! xoxoxo

      1. My pleasure dear Meece,

        Beth Hart singing “I’d rather Go Blind” at the Buddy Guy tribute at the Kennedy Center in 2012.

        Hope you get that porch and rocker soon.

        xoxoxo

        1. Thanks for leaving this amazing performance and tribute to Buddy. Jeff Beck is a guitar hero and Beth is divine!
          I never saw this before… and I love it.

          You’re the best Meece, ever! xoxoxo

  23. As soon as I opened your post, Resa, I heard the sound of music. There is a awesome feeling when we see musicians playing live. The sound produced by real instruments is rich, dynamic, and full of nuances that recordings often fail to capture, even though they are beautifully produced. The physicality of playing an instrument adds a layer of emotion and expression that cannot be replicated in a recording. When musicians play live we connect with their passion and skill, creating a sense of shared experience and connection.

    Thank you for adding music to my day, Resa. It is pure joy to stop by. Sending hugs.

    1. You’re right! It does emanate music.

      Live music is one of the special magics in life that we get to enjoy.
      I suppose that’s why I married a musician.
      I’m glad you got to see this spectacular mural, Rebecca!
      And thank you for leaving this wonderful comment
      You leave the best stuff! Hugs!

    1. Yeah, what a mural!
      Love it!
      True, I have been listening to a lot of blues and jazz since I started working on the post.
      Also, reading your book!!!! xo

  29. Perfect. Funny how I wouldn’t have understood ” the blue for Blues…”

    Yes it looks like he’s playing left-handed. Is he? Maybe the artist turned the guitar around for the sage of composition?
    I like Blues, though my references are more Muddy Waters and before… 😉
    Like Bluegrass too from my days South of the “Mason-Dixon Lahhne.”
    And thanks for the music…

    1. Love Muddy!
      I think the artist made a creative choice with the left hand guitar. Although I will never know unless I get to ask him.
      xx

        1. Lol! My entire life is artist and musicians.
          No kids, just: actors, painters, sculptors, musicians – players and composers, designers, directors, writers, photographers and more.
          Hmm – okay, lotsa kids! 😉

  30. What a stunning mural with gorgeous colors, Resa, and I love the element of ghost musicians. Great videos and music too! I’ll be signing off for the rest of this year after my last post yesterday. So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! May it be peaceful and filled with love and joy! Hugs ❤️⭐️🎄🎊

    1. Glad you got to see the mural!
      The best of the season to you and yours, Lauren.
      I think you are about to have a wonderful holiday, in spite of your recent loss.
      Perhaps it will make it more precious.
      ❤️⭐️🎄🎊HUGS❤️⭐️🎄🎊

      1. I’m glad I did too, Resa, and we’ll be fine. Wil lived a good long life, and even though tears will find their way now and then, we will also celebrate his life and legacy. Thank you! Hugs to you, dear friend!
        ⭐️🩷💫🎄🤗❄️⭐️

  31. The problem is it looks like Buddy but I was wondering if it wasn’t a different guitar player? Nice mural regardless of what the artist was thinking and I like how they have the trumpet player in shadow. I don’t associate trumpet with blues but it’s cool when jazz horn players play blues. I have spoken my art mine 🙂

    1. I had considered that it could be a different guitar player. There are many reasons I decided on Buddy.
      Who knows, but there has been the odd time an artist contacted me about something.

      I’m open.
      Yeah, trumpet is not typically blues. I agree about jazz/blues horn players. Satchmo did make a cross over of sorts.
      Now you got me thinking….Chet Baker…

      Thanks for speaking your art mind. Love it!

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