I know Junior Wells has been discussed (and dissed) a number of times both pro and con, but I cannot get over how cool his version of this song is. For me, it is one of the bluesiest songs immaginable. Beautiful tone and breathe control. As others have said, he was often a minimalist but this is an example of how play out of this world without playing a lot of notes, or playing fast (not that there is anything wrong with either). I play along with it over and over. Now if I could just find someone in a jam who knows this version. And I could say the same of most of the tunes on the "Hoodoo Man Blues" album.
Listening somehow reminded me... Opened for him way back and when I met him back stage with my girl friend he asked her what color panties she had on. Straight up, out loud, room full of people.
@groyster1 - for sure. I was just listening to Buddy and Jr. on 'Alone & Acoustic' on my ipod. Totally diggin' it. ---------- Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy. -Dan Castellaneta
You're welcome drofficial. As others have said, the whole album is great. A great story which I read somewhere is that Buddy Guy plays on the album, but because he was under contract to another label, he is not listed in the credits. Instead someone named "Friendly Chap" is listed a a guitar player. I might be full of it, but I think that's what I remember.
i always liked his singing some of his harp playing was fantastic some of it was not, kinda hit and miss at times just like everyone else lol
i remember when they had cd stores i would go every other week. i remember seeing alone and acoustic i would always put it back in the bin it was almost twenty dollars, what if i dont like it? that went on for two or three years, i must have looked at it a hundred times lol. finally i,m like just buy the damn thing!
I saw him about 20 years ago at a bar in Dallas which IIRC was the first stop on the tour. He was having a lot of trouble with his cordless mic and it was an off night. I came away with the impression that it must have been his singing that allowed him to coexist in the same time and space with James Cotton and Walter Horton.
But that was just the night I saw him. As a harmonica player he did not starve so he must have been doing it well.
Listening to Blues Hit Big Town demonstrates he could play the L'Walter bag as well as anyone you want to name. He did something new after that, which probably makes him even more worthy of recognition. I saw a call for him to be dropped from the arbitrary top ten list on MBH...I'd resist that ----------
Well as for "dissing" JR W, I´m certainly guilty. My comments on him should be traceable so I won´t go into it again; it´s here and on Harp-l. (And Dirtydeck: you´ll just have to come here and slap my in the mouth. Shall I send you my adress?)
The fact that people can´t handle diverging views is a sign of the immaturity of both these kinds of forums, Youtube etc, as well as a indicating that for some being a "fan" is more important than critical listening. Wells showed enormous promise at the outset, the early stage of his career, but didn´t deliver. Plenty of evidence for that. But I don´t mind at all if people see things differently.
According to interviews in the now defunct UK blues magazine Blues Unlimited, both Billy boy Arnold as well as James Cotton have said that back in the early to mid 50's that in Chicago, if you didn;t play like LW or JW, you weren't considered a harp player. Those two were a lot closer stylistically around that time and the stuff JW played behind Muddy on Standing Around Crying is the classic example. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
if people who say that jr wells cant play would be kind enough to post "their playing" as an example or post a picture of them playing with muddy waters i suppose that would suffice.
Well now, I didn't mean to start any controversy and I am certainly not an authority on Jr.'s playing (or anyone else's), but I love this album and his harp and singing on it. For me, it was harp like this (both Sonny Boys, LW, Big Walter,, etc.)that made me want to (have to) start playing back in '68. I just wanted to be able to make sounds like that - still want to, maybe someday. That's the blues. I can appreciate other music (even play it if forced to), but then I have to go home and wash out my mind with some blues from Muddy or Jr. or Little Walter, or ...
Martin, by the sounds of your reply you consider yourself something of a tough-nut! So I think I'll let you hold on to your address.
It was a manner of speaking though, to better illustrate my passion.
My point is, Junior Wells is(was) a great artist. He has(had) the gift, I have little time for people who don't understand this. When somebody has that special kind of soul and artistry, people that know just know. And technique doesn't come into it. How they lived their life doesn't come in to it.
Bottom line is he was capable of magic. And that's a beautiful thing, a spiritual thing. Some people are very scientifically minded and have trouble accepting this, but if you can feel it - it's all good.
Van Morrison considers him a hero and that's good enough for me.
re - 'what the f**k does playing with Muddy Waters have to do with it?'(getting a little heated, are we?)
Well, everything, I would've thought.
Also, on the 'not fulfilling their potential' - I never judge an arist's talent by their life-coping skills. Quite often the most talented artists have alot of trouble dealing with everyday life stuff, look at Jason Ricci.
That's like me writing off George Best as an average footballer because he fell victim to alcoholism.
But, you're entitled to think what you like of course. If you don't like Junior's music, that's fine with me.
I love being a fan. We're all fans. It's human nature!
Nothing to go to war over of course, but I will always jump to the defence of a hero of mine. Our tastes define us as people.
I can certainly see why some people don't like Junior's playing. He likes to go out on a limb, he'll try things he's never done before, things he hasn't even practiced! I love that.
I'm not so fond of people who only ever say things they're very sure of. I like improvisers. I like people who aren't afraid to say somethin' stupid every once in a while. There's always the chance they might happen upon a phrase that's unprecedented and brilliant.
It's the blues - you just open up and let it out.
Last Edited by DirtyDeck on Jun 07, 2013 4:57 AM
I have to agree with 1847....muddy would not have played with him if he could not cut it....he played with little walter....he called mark ford "another little walter".....this forum has people who are highly critical....I cant play like any of them....that's ok...the bar is set WAY TOO HIGH!!that's why I keep at it....never satisfied....and yes "why cant we all get along?"
I just picked up 'live in Boston, 1966'. Jr with the Aces. Very enjoyable to just listen to the band, and enjoyable AND educational to hear Jr do his thing. Lots of between song patter. My best buy for a little while. ----------
