Customer Reviews

Alone & Acoustic

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This CD is simply outstanding. Originally released in 1981, it features blues greats Buddy Guy and Junior Wells unplugged. Two men, one day in Paris, one acoustic guitar and one harmonica with each sharing the vocal duties. While the material is not new it is performed with such individuality and conviction that other interpretations of this same material pales in comparison. There are 15 songs arranged into an hours worth of deep south acoustic blues. This has got to be one of Alligators finest releases and is a must have for any fan of these two giants, fans of acoustic blues and fans of the blues period.

I could sit and listen to these two all day. It would be great if more blues albums were made this way. The pure sound of a 12 string guitar and a unamplified harmonica. I think the great vocals of Junior Wells on "Big Boat" would be worth the price of this album alone - but it is just one of the many treats on this album. This album is full of standard blues classics, but the sound is so fresh it is like you are hearing them for the first time.
A treat for anyone, no matter what their favorite style of the blues is.

The magical synergy of Junior Wells and Buddy Guy was apparent in "Hoodoo Man Blues", recorded before Buddy Guy was well known. Junior Wells' subsequent solo works, while workmanlike, have never achieved the same pinnacle (e.g., Come On Into This House). With this joint effort, that synergy is back.

It is very interesting to see (hear) the pair together 30 years after that first work together. The undefinable synergy is still there - Is it the way Buddy sets up a background for Junior's vocals or harmonica? Or is it the way that Junior defers to Buddys guitar? However, with age, the two interact more sensitively and with a polish - No, a burnished patina - that makes this work a mellower version of their earlier work together. Both performers are secure in their careers and accomplishments and this results in a very special and mature interaction between them.

From the folk blues of Big Boat to the John Lee Hooker homage in Boogie Chillen, the pairing in "Alone and Acoustic" is seamless - You can almost see one person playing the guitar and harmonica while singing.

Caution: As the title suggests, this is not the Buddy Guy that Jimi Hendrix studied. For those of us who grew up with the Eric Clapton of John Mayall (also Cream, Blind Faith) Canned Heat, and Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac as our introduction to the blues (along with Hendrix's 'Red House') in the late 60's, this could be a disappointment. But to me the CD is not. It is a great pleasure, with the lack of other instruments a sort of relief. No, for those of us of that era, this is more like the 'Hot Tuna' record (remember records?) after lots of electric music from Jefferson Airplane, Led Zepplin, Cream, Iron Butterfly, etc... clean and unpretentious.

And in 'Big Boat' we hear something like one of my favorites from Hoodoo Man, Buddy's sharp "Ow!" during Junior's first harmonica solo in 'Early in the Morning'. And Buddy sings on this one, too! (Hoodoo Man is one of the classic blues albums - Do yourself a favor and get it if you don't have it!)

A wonderful CD to just listen to and enjoy.

Everytime I listen to this wonderful performance, I have an urge to offer Junior & Buddy some coffee. The sound of this CD makes you feel like this pair is sitting next to you, playing just for you. And if one could have them play just for him, wouldn't he offer them, at least, some coffee?
The CD is quiet, calm, natural and with the deep voices of the artists makes a great companion for the winter season.
This CD contains a collection of mostly classics tracks, some vocals by Junior and some be Buddy (But no duets). You'll love this one whether you are a blues fan or not.

My past experiences with Buddy Guy's music has been with his fender plugged in and turned up.A true blues icon imitated by every guitar player in the last decade so you could imagine my suprise to see this acoustic set with Junior Wells. Let me tell you one thing...I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!! He is a master of the guitar ..plugged in or not.This albulm is the real deal born from the juke-joints of yesterday.Every note he plays takes you furthur back to the days of smoke filled gin joints where hard working folk escaped the oppression of their days. If you only buy one CD this year make it this one. It is the best blues I ever heard. Buddy and Junior keepin it strong and real.Robert Johnson would be proud to hear his blues come full circle .THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10 years I've had this cd, and it has been a constant favorite. I also love the heavily instrumented and "loud" albums of buddy guy and junior wells, but this album is much different. It covers a completely different mood, occasion for listening.

the vocals are amazing, the guitar is feel good. I can't get enough of this sound, so the fact that some of the songs sound like the one before is not a bad thing here.

Before I heard this album I was only aware of Buddy Guy's electric abilities, this record showcases just how enormous and down to earth his talent is. Together with the late Junior Wells he weaves a spontaneous and magical acoustic performance. Just wonderful.

Buddy Guy and Junior Wells do not quite replicate the magic of Hoodoo Man Blues, but Wow, they come as close as could be expected nearly 20 years after the release of that marvelous and inimitable 1965 album. What we are treated to on this album are the songs which are in the annals of blues history as the tried and true blues greats. From "Boogie Chillin'" to "My Home is in the Delta", we get an experience of the blues as (in my opinion) they are meant to be, pure and acoustic. And listen closely to the lyrics of "My Home is in the Delta".....the lyrics are vastly different from those of the same song Muddy Waters sang decades ago. These two take blues classics and reshape them to fit their own style, instead of simply making a retread of a famous song.

One of the "must have" albums in the modern blues genre.

As talented as are Junior Wells and Buddy Guy and as good as they are together, I never cease to be impressed that such a wonderful album can come from a simple backstage jam session. It should be considered a classic and continues to be one of my all time favorite acoustic blues albums.

This is two old blues pro's and running mates doing it up!

Yes its laid back, improvised fun...but thats what Buddy and Junior were all about. I love it and I think anybody who is a fan of these two giants will too.