Description

Re-mastering by: Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London

The year was 1959. The occasion was a Battle of the Blues at the Blue Flame Club in Chicago. A young harmonica player Junior Wells who got his start as Little Walter Jacobs replacement in Muddy Waters band back in 52 probably didnt imagine he would come in second. After all, he had already put down both Otis Rush and Magic Sam. Still to come, though, was this fleet-fingered, skinny young Louisiana cat Buddy Guy, who came first. As the climax to his blistering solo, Guy tossed his guitar in the air, then caught it by the neck one handed. As it slid through his fingers, Buddy created this high levee moan. Crowd gone wild. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
That chance meeting set in motion more than a relationship. This early, and profound, respect translated into a partnership that somehow superceded Wells early work with one of the most important people in the blues. Wells and Guy would produce some of the most unabashed and deeply cool West Side blues recordings.
This album recorded for the French Isabel label, in 1979 is a companion piece to Guys Blues Giant recording of the same year.
Theres the gentle blues shuffle of It Hurts Me Too, made famous by Elmore James. Theres the electric-blues muscle of the title tune. Finally, as a bonus track, theres the funky, clearly James Brown-influenced I Smell Something. This is a fine recording and certainly one of Juniors best little-known releases. Five stars are just not enough for this, great material, harp playing and that man Guy on guitar supported by his brother. Gems one and all. If you are a fan of either or both it is a must.
Recorded on Halloween night in 1979, this pairs up Wells and Guy in a fashion that hasnt been heard since Hoodoo Man Blues, their first, and best collaboration. Solid backing by The Philip Guy band (Buddys brother) makes this album a rare treat.

Personnel: Junior Wells, Harmonica/ Buddy Guy, guitar, vocals/ Phil Guy, rhythm guitar / J. Williams, bass guitar / Ray Allison, drums