Junior+wells

Hoodoo Man Blues is one of the truly classic blues albums of the 1960s, and one of the first to fully document, in the superior acoustics of a recording studio, the smoky ambience of a night at a West Side nightspot. Junior Wells just set up with his usual cohorts – guitarist Buddy Guy, bassist Jack Myers, and drummer Billy Warren – and proceeded to blow up a storm, bringing an immediacy to "Snatch It Back and Hold It," "You Don't Love Me, Baby," "Chitlins con Carne," and the rest of the tracks that is absolutely mesmerizing. Widely regarded as one of Wells' finest achievements, it also became Delmark's best-selling release of all time.

Recorded at two separate gigs in January 1975 but not issued until 2006, this captures Junior Wells on-stage at Theresa's, one of the most esteemed Chicago blues clubs. It's a little rawer than most live albums; the sound is good, and Wells is in good form, but his band is a little rough (and, particularly on the tracks with guitarist Sammy Lawhorn, a little off-key). But the flaws really aren't too significant, as this is a pretty enjoyable set of electric Chicago blues in its unadulterated vintage form. Wells offers his trademark exuberant blues with touches of rock, soul, and funk, performing a few of his most popular tunes ("Messin' with the Kid," "Snatch It Back and Hold It") and a bunch of classic covers that are more identified with other performers (Slim Harpo's "Scratch My Back," Big Bill Broonzy's "Key to the Highway," St. Louis Jimmy Oden's "Goin' Down Slow," Little Walter's "Juke," Tampa Red's "Love Her with a Feeling," and "Help the Poor," the last popularized by B.B. King).

The classic pairing of Buddy Guy and Junior Wells has been captured many times on vinyl, cassette, and disc over the years, but rarely with such intimacy and subtle, restrained energy as on this wonderful collection. Buddy Guy plays mostly 12 string guitar, and Junior laces his signature lines through the songs, engaging Guy in the kind of musical dialogue that only old friends can have. This is acoustic street-corner blues at its best, performed with incredible expressiveness, ease, and joy. One gets the feeling these two are just sitting down for a friendly jam session on a Saturday afternoon, and when things get loose, their laughter flows almost as freely as the music. Guy really shines on some of these tracks, his guitar lines fast, smooth, percussive, and seemingly effortless…

Backed by a funk-minded, James Brown-influenced band, Junior Wells is in good form on these live recordings from Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago. Wells (who was 61 when this CD was recorded) really comes alive in front of a live audience, and he's certainly in a very extroverted mood on such familiar material as "Hoodoo Man," "Little By Little" and his signature tune, "Messin' With the Kid." Wells has been one of Brown's most ardent admirers for a long time, and he frequently shows his love of the Godfather's soul/funk innovations without letting us forget that he's a bluesman first and foremost. Although this CD doesn't offer a lot of surprises, it's an invigorating documentation of the energy and passion Wells brings to the stage.

Rocking Chicago blues in all its glory and intensity - in a series of live sets from the great Buddy Guy's Legends club in Chicago. The show brings great icons of blues - Junior Wells, Hubert Sumlin, Buddy Guy - together with younger artists - Pistol Pete, Roy Hytower, Rod Piazza - to showcase generations of great players of this hard driving American tradition.
The great Junior Wells' harmonica playing defines the Chicago sound: he worked with Muddy Waters in the 50s and with Buddy Guy in the 60s. Hubert Sumlin brought the Mississippi sound to Chicago and contributed to the dark sound of Howlin Wolf. Buddy Guy blew hippies away in the late 60s with his guitar theatrics.

A superb and thrilling collection of early singles from one of the all-time blues greats, pioneering vocalist and harmonica player Junior Wells! Wells blended numerous styles including soul, gospel and even early rock on these early recordings some of which still remain his most identifiable sides including “Hoodoo Man,” “Lovey Dovey Lovey One,” “Messin’ With The Kid” and more!

Vintage concert recording from the original Blues Brothers, Junior Wells & Buddy Guy! Recorded live at Biddy Mulligan's in Chicago, IL the city where both Wells and Guy became local heroes before becoming national legends! Ripping, soulful performances of "Dust My Broom," "You've Got To Love Her With A Feeling," and "Crosscut Saw" plus an unreleased live bonus track from 1970!