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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
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
Product Description
Hoodoo Man Blues is not only Junior Well's initial LP appearance, it is damn near the first LP by a Chicago blues band. Chess and a few other labels had issued 45's by Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howling Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, etc. but virtually no one had tried to capture the Chicago blues sound free of limitations of juke-box/airplay promotion. Delmark is proud of the part Hoodoo Man Blues played in the popularization of the real Chicago blues and of Junior Wells. But the credit belongs to Junior, Buddy, Jack and Billy - they made the music. We just sat and dug it.
''One of the truly classic blues albums of the 1960s, and one of the first to fully document the smoky ambience of a night at a West Side nightspot in the superior acoustics of a recording studio. Wells just set up with his usual cohorts - guitarist Buddy Guy (billed as 'Friendly Chap' on first vinyl pressings), bassist Jack Myers, and drummer Billy Warren - and proceeded to blow up a storm, bringing an immediacy to Snatch It Back and Hold It, You Don't Love Me, Chitlin con Carne, and the rest of the tracks that is absolutely mesmerizing. - Bill Dahl, ALL MUSIC GUIDE.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Junior Wells isn't my personal favorite as a harpist (Sonny Boy is), but this album is one of my absolute favorites in the blooze. This album is really HOT, with Junior struttin' his stuff with his mates from Chicago, including the one & only Buddy Guy. Buddy really gels with Wells on this album, not by taking solos, but by accompanying him & the actual song being played. His presence really steps up Junior, & brings out the best in him here.
While Junior is a terrific blues harpist & singer, he has a real funky style that resembles James Brown. You can really hear it from the get go in "Snatch back & Hold It". The cover of "You Don't Love Me" from this album will influence a bunch of guys in Macon, GA. a few years later.
I believe this was also one of the earliest "full" blues albums released, rather than a collection of singles from vinyl. Hence, the greatest blues "album" ever recorded. Yes, that is my personal opinion, but the Chicago blues rarely gets better than this. Essential for any blues collection!
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The appeal of Hoodoo Man Blues is that it was conceived as an album instead of a hodgepodge of singles and other tracks. When Junior Wells took his backing band with him into Bob Koester's Delmark studio, he had an LP in mind. Hoodoo Man Blues sounds as if it had been recorded in at some dingy nightclub in downtown Chicago at midnight. No particular track on the album stands out above the rest. What there is here is wall-to-wall classic blues. Wells makes no apologies to the purist crowd and throws a little James Brown-esque funk into the mix. He was a harp-toting gangster. He may not have been technically as good on the harp as Little Walter, but Wells had the attitude. Wells employs ace musicians to back him up like Buddy Guy on guitar, Billy Warren on drums, and Jack Myers on electric bass.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is easily one of the best studio blues albums ever made. Not only is the album great, but it is also a historically significant in that it was one of the first true blues 'albums'. This is not a collection of singles, but a front to back great album. Junior is in top form and the the interplay between Junior and Buddy, the blues best combo, is amazing. A must for any blues fans and in particular Chicago style blues fans. Also check out Buddy Guy's great 'I was walking through the woods'. If its not in your collection buy it now. You will not be disappointed.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Hoodoo Man Blues review
I find myself jumping and jiving with this one. Junior Wells' voice is a great raspy blues voice, and his harmonica is awesome with plenty of it on the CD.
Published 2 months ago by Miriam
Some times more is not better
The original album is great. What wonderful energy the band puts out. I don't think that the extra tracks and studio chatter really enhance the original. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Brian A. Powell
For the Expanded Edition
This is for the expanded version, so I will concentrate on its strengths.
First, this is a great recording in ANY format and belongs in any blues collection, great or... Read more
First, this is a great recording in ANY format and belongs in any blues collection, great or... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Standard Poodle
Over-rated
Why does this secure such glowing reviews? Yes, it's okay but not much more. Buddy Guy is rock solid here rather than inspired and the suggestion in the sleeve-notes that Wells is... Read more
Published 6 months ago by M. J. Ellison
Best. Blues. Album. Ever
Hearing Junior Wells sing the title track one night at a friend's house in 1977 was the moment I fell in love with the Blues forever. Read more
Published 8 months ago by W. Ravenel
Phenomenal - Classic Blues!!
Oh my gosh, I think this is my favorite blues' CD I have--and I've heard!! Not only am I a Buddy Guy fan, but I think this CD is a level above any of my Buddy Guy stuff. Read more
Published 9 months ago by PinotNoirLand
The Slickest, Sexiest Blues album I ever heard.
"Hoodoo Man Blues" hit me after a few seconds. Wells' appearance impressed me deeply on the American Folk-Blues Festival Film, giving out a super-slick show and tons of coolness. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Yoav Taler
Great Blues, Great Bluesmen
I just picked this up (again) after I went through my collection and couldn't find my copy. I hadn't listened to it for a while and I almost forgot how really good this album is. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Barry
Ahead of his time; underrated blues genius!
Love this CD! Junior Wells receives little if any appreciation, but this CD captures his best work. Well worth the money for this CD.
Published 19 months ago by Funky Old Man
Surprise, Surprise!
This is almost a must have, not only for Junior Wells fans, but for Muddy Waters or Buddy Guy fans also. Read more
Published on February 24, 2010 by the Liquor Guy
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Hoodoo Man Blues is Junior Wells' Chicago Blues Band's only studio release.
Junior Wellshave been a member of Junior Wells' Chicago Blues Band.
Junior Wellshave been a member of Junior Wells' Chicago Blues Band.
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