And though he’s primarily thought of as a Harp (harmonica) player, he was a great singer as well as a fabulous showman.
Photo by concord.com
Junior Wells Facts
- Picked up the harmonica as a boy in Memphis and was sitting in with other musicians by his early teens.
- Started recording in Chicago as a member of Muddy Waters’ band in the early 1950’s.
- Began fronting his own band in the mid-1950’s and launched his own successful recording career.
- Worked quite a bit with Buddy Guy, including tours with the Rolling Stones in the early 1970’s.
- Known for his commanding live performances, Junior had a self-assured, almost swaggering stage presence.
- His recording career culminating in a W.C. Handy award (i.e. Blues Music Award) in 1997.
“(As a boy) I was listening to Sonny Boy Williamson’s records and I would close my eyes and I could visualize myself playing the harp.” ~ Junior Wells
My Favorite Junior Wells Songs
- “Little By Little (I’m Losing You)” One of Junior’s earlier tunes. Almost a duet really with the great Willie Dixon.
- “Snatch It Back And Hold It” Junior’s playing & singing his best on this track. Plus, there’s “Friendly Chap” working that rhythm guitar.
- “Give Me One Reason” A great cover of Tracy Chapman’s hit. Junior’s an “old hand” at this point and his harp is brilliantly understated.
If I Could Only Have One Album
My choice would be his 1965 album, ‘Hoodoo Man Blues‘.
This is an easy choice. Junior’s harp and vocals on this record are as authentic as it gets. It sounds like he was really “feeling it.”
The album also covered a lot of bases. It was Junior’s debut album. It became a best-seller for him and Delmark Records. And it’s stood the test of time to become one of the classic Chicago Blues albums.
If that wasn’t enough, the album features Junior’s first recorded collaboration with Buddy Guy – adding another touch of history.
Junior recorded other successful albums but this one was a benchmark. It gives you a little taste of what it might have been like to be in one of those Blues clubs in Chicago back in the day.
Even today, it’s still a real-good listen.
Preview ‘Hoodoo Man Blues‘
A Small Taste
Here’s a video of Junior Wells performing “Messin’ With The Kid” with Buddy Guy back in 1974.
The gig is the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. At this point in time the festival had opened itself up to more than just Jazz. It readily embraced the Blues, and Junior & Buddy opened the festival up that year with Muddy Waters.
Junior and Buddy worked a lot together. But there was never any doubt about who the actual front man was.
Thanks for reading!
Jon Beres
I’m one part Blues Fan and one part Digital Native (with a dash of Curmudgeon.) I’m also the publisher of AlltheWayBlue.com. If you love the Blues, I have a feeling we’ll get along just fine - cheers!
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