Junior Wells - Hoodoo Man Blues

This 1965 album is where vocalist and harmonica player Junior Wells comes into his own. An early collaboration with Buddy Guy, the two of them sum up the 1960s funk-rock-blues that lay ahead. Hoodoo Man Blues inspired Paul Butterfield, Eric Clapton, and a host of other musician-fans. Wells and Guy don't shy from creating James Brown-funkified blues, or from putting a rock edge to their blues; but neither do they shy from traditional blues. Their version of "Good Morning Little School Girl" is a proper update--still menacing, with less of a country blues feel. Also not to be missed is the instrumental workout "Chitlin Con Carne." --Robert Gordon Amazon.com essential recording

Well Well Well

There are fine reviews of this CD, some with historical background,. others, with an appreciative ear, most know better, esp. more than me.

I would only suggust that Jr. Wells, Buddy Guy, Jack Myers, oughta try to get reparations from Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Siegal-Schwall Band, Electric Flag, and all other Chicago imitative blues bands. October 15, 2008

By Any Other Name...

[This is review is part of my 31 days of Halloween series.]

The only thing that really qualifies as Halloweeny about this CD is its name HOODOO MAN Blues. Hoodoo cross-cultures with Voodoo at certain points, but is a separate expression of Americana folk magic/ritual. It is very focused on "tying" or "binding." Unlike Voodoo, Hoodoo is not strictly speaking, Africa-based. Of coutse if JWcalled the CD Voodoo Man Blues it would have entirely a different connotation.

Back to this CD: The production values & remastering are abolutely fantastic. It is part of the Delmark's Roots of Jazz series that includes other notable performers Curtis Jones, Edith Wilson, Little Walter,etc.

Junior Wells has a great voice & plays a mean harmonica. He is accompanied by other first class musicians Budy Guy (Guitar), Jack Meyers (Bass) and Billy Warren. The original LP was all recorded in an amazing TWO DAYS in 1965. Today it would probably take at lrast 2 months. All the songs are upbeat, boogie-woogie & really kick a--.

I'm sure this and other music had an influence on Bob Dylan's evolution from traditional (but always original)folk music to his reincarnation as a folk rock & something more musician--and who plays a mean harmonica too. Like Junior Wells, Dylan by necessity was a troubador too, always on the move. A harmonica travels light.

Other Amazon reviewers know a lot more about the genre (R&B) than do I & their postings are well worth reading.

At Newport
Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Muddy Waters
The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions
Live in Cook County Jail
Let's Roll

The Skeleton Key (Widescreen Edition) October 6, 2008

HOODOO MAN BLUES by Junior Wells

HOODOO MAN BLUES by Junior Wells is a GREAT blues album. If you like Chicago electric blues, you've GOT to have this CD! The CD also has some out-takes that were never on the original album. These are great too. Junior Wells is my favorite bluesman of all time. His harp playing is fantastic as are his vocals. I almost forgot to mention that Buddy Guy plays absolutely fantastic guitar on this album! June 18, 2008

HOODOO VOODOO

A great collection of songs by one of the great blues harmonica players, backed up by legendary musicians. If I recall the LP album back cover of this (or the other essential Junior Wells album "It's My Life, Baby!") had this story: Junior worked to save up for a harmonica at a pawn shop, at the end of the week he was 25 cents short, so at the shop he picked up the harmonica and ran out. Caught and brought before a judge Junior's defense was "I just had to have it." The judge asked if he could play it, which Junior did causing the judge to rule in Junior's favor - case dismissed. Don't know if this is a true story but I'd have bought it for him myself. My thanks to the judge and my thanks to Junior! (ps. I no longer have the albums. If anyone does have the LPs please verify the judge story.) March 28, 2008

BLUES ROCKS THE FULL LENGTH.....

I dig the blues man, but I don't tend to review blues albums very much, unless there is something about the album in particular that stands out. HOODOO MAN BLUES by Junior Wells, which infamously includes legend Buddy Guy on lead guitar is one such blues album.
As a fan, primarily of good, hard hitting, sleazy gutter rock and roll, as well as blues, this album brings alot of things together for me that make it a solid LP of straight ahead ballsy rock.
An album that prides itself in being the very first Chicago Blues LP ever, it definately is one of the best. It was recorded at a time in the early sixties before the British Invasion revived the blues and the market for American blues was pretty much dead. Most of the blues market was either recording styles leaning towards acoustic folk or more of an r&b style. Even most of your down and dirty blues rockers of the forties and fifties were dulling down. But Junior Wells put together his best band ever, featuring Buddy Guy, who is now legendary for being the influence behind a bunch of guitar rockers... like Duane Allman, and most notably, his direct influence on Jimi Hendrix.
This is timeless blues, that could in no way be considered dated or old fashioned either then or now. In fact this is probably one of the sleaziest, riffiest, ballsiest records of the early sixties, and is def a must if you like slick sounding, jagged edged, kick ace music.
Every song rocks... A blues album album. February 25, 2008

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