Some shows leave you entertained — and then there are shows like Chris Cain’s at the Colony in Woodstock, where you walk out inspired, uplifted, and in absolute awe. On Tuesday, April 15, the acclaimed bluesman took the stage before an intimate but enthusiastic crowd and delivered a set that was fiery, soulful, and deeply personal.
Cain is a true virtuoso — a guitarist with a touch as refined as it is electrifying. His command of the fretboard is hard to describe. How he translates the emotional feel and finesse, blending the sophisticated phrasing of jazz greats like Wes Montgomery with the sting of B.B. and Albert King.
Every solo felt like a story — dynamic, expressive and soaked in emotion. Whether shredding with jaw-dropping precision or easing into a slow, smoky groove, Cain’s playing was utterly captivating.
Between songs, he held the room with warmth and charisma, sharing funny, heartfelt stories — most notably about his childhood run-ins with B.B. King. These anecdotes didn’t just humanize the man on stage or in the story; they added depth to the music, drawing a clear line from his roots to the rich legacy he’s building.
He honored those roots with several standout covers, including a soul-stirring B.B. King tribute that was reverent yet unmistakably his own. Later, he surprised the crowd with a funky, high-energy rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Living for the City, revealing his vocal range and rhythmic chops — and to everyone’s delight, trading the guitar for keys. Two piano players on that tune added a bold, unexpected layer — and Cain nailed it.
Still, the soul of the night lay in his original material. Songs from his latest album, Good Intentions Gone Bad, were highlights — packed with lyrical bite and blues grooves that hit hard and lingered, especially his gritty “love song,” as he introduced it: Still Drinking Straight Tequila. Cain’s voice — rugged, raw and real delivered every line with conviction, while his band held down the groove with tight, tasteful precision.
In a world where so many great musicians fly under the radar, Chris Cain stands out — a blues legend hiding in plain sight. His performance at the Colony was a powerful reminder that the genre isn’t just alive, but thriving in the hands of a true master.
For those lucky enough to be there, it was a night to remember. For those who missed it — don’t make that mistake again. When Chris Cain comes to town, you show up.
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