Search - Junior Wells :: South Side Blues Jam

Junior as vocalist sublime, groove master & historian

David G. Lucas | Tsukuba Japan, Chicago IL, Milwaukee WI, Monroe WI | 05/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've got 30 or so Junior Wells CDs lying all over the place but the one I keep searching out more than all the others is this truly moving early 70's cut that brings back the taste and feel of Chicago in a messier era, draws the heart-strings around Junior's plaintive vocals and still sounds fresh after all these years. This jam is a casual session of friends playing what they wanted to play and hear themselves, without a label's design pushing it, and it's real. Junior never overplays it, his harp spicing every track just right, his voice fresh, young and deep here. All-star Jam would've been as good a title, as you've got Buddy Guy, Otis Spann, Louis Myers, Earnest Johnson and Fred Bellow in the house all playing like they're loving it. An earlier review mentioned that the album is too short, some tracks have been cut, and I agree it's a taste tease of an album, but I still love it. Let's hope it comes out in combination with Hoodoo Man Blues or another classic for one solid price. Two more must haves if you love Junior as vocalist are It's My Life Baby and On Tap. He could really mold a tune to fit a mood or groove more than anyone since Muddy Waters, and I'd say better and smoother than Muddy on a good night. These are Junior at his best. If you want long-play Junior to hold you over on a blue night, go for the Calling All Blues release, with 24 tracks of Junior's well-preened crooning, bopping and jiving, another Top 10 on my Junior Wells as vocalist list. Look elsewhere for Junior Wells the harp master; usually in combination with Buddy Guy he comes of just as masterful and strong on harp as Guy does with the guitar licks he shares; start with Better Off With The Blues and go from there."

Junior's Best, With Buddy Guy and Otis Spann

Chicago Indoor Soccer | chicago, il USA | 11/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The title of the album says it all. Junior, Buddy and Otis on the south side of Chicago. I saw Junior and Buddy many times at Theresa's and the Checkerboard. It cost a dollar or two to get in the door. You could usually get a table right near the bandstand. This CD sounds a lot like the music I used to hear in person. Junior's version of I just Want to Make Love to you, with an intro by Otis on Piano, stands right up there with Muddy's as the best of all versions. Check out Blues for Mayor Daley an original with Junior doing some autobigraphical material. Every track is a winner. The last cut is Buddy on vocals. Remember, most of the time Junior was the leader and the star of the group, before all these rock guitarist put Buddy on a pedestal."

Shredder's take note !

swampshaka | New Orleans, Louisiana | 08/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A brilliant recording, This is the way I like to hear blues music played, with lots---a space and room to breathe. I'ts interesting and inspiring listening to these songs unfold with Junior at the helm and his band in full control, spontinaity!! Junior, improvises lyrically on many of the tracks here and the session seems to take on the vibe of a live rather than studio recording. Particularly effective is Junior's version of "I Could Have Had Religion", with the mention of Magic Sam's death, The Wolf's heart attack and Muddy's hospitalization, another highlight is Junior's tribute to Sonny Boy II on "I Wish I Knew What I know Now". For those looking to hear a smorgasbord of "little Junior's" bag-o harp licks, forget it, Junior uses his harmonica wisely, economically and in all the right places, an attribute to the man's skill, proficiency and security with his instrument {who says that more is better!}. These recordings should be required listening for all Present day bluzers who tend to overplay instead of the more powerful but suttle approach of ridin' the groove. Thank's to Junior and his sympathetic backing band of Chicago vets {who fully understand their roles} Otis Spann, Louis Myers, Buddy Guy, Freddie Below and Earnest Johnson we have this tasty morsel of Chicago blues to savor. My only dissapointment is in the c.d.'s length which clocks in at just under forty minuites, it would have been nice if some bonus tracks could have been added to the c.d. which is the same in length as the original l.p. release."