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The '60s were a very productive time for Junior Wells, but if any Wells album deserves to be exalted as his most triumphant recording of the '60s, it is Hoodoo Man Blues. This superb 1965 session is not only widely regarded as one of Wells' finest achievements, it is also Delmark's best-selling release of all time. Delmark has reissued Hoodoo Man Blues more than once over the years; the album first appeared on CD in the early '90s, and in 2011, Delmark came out with this 63-minute expanded edition. On top of offering an abundance of previously unreleased alternate takes, Delmark's 2011 version of Hoodoo Man Blues offers a new cardboard fold-out cover and new liner notes from Bob Koester (along with Koester's original liner notes from 1965). It isn't hard to see why Hoodoo Man Blues is held in such high regard; joined by Buddy Guy on guitar, Jack Myers on bass, and Billy Warren on drums, Wells soars as both a singer and a harmonica player. This is the same working group that Wells had been leading at Theresa's on Chicago's West Side, and Koester (who produced the album) vividly captures the type of grit that Wells brought to the stage. This is a studio recording, but when Wells and his colleagues dig into "Good Morning, Schoolgirl," "Yonder Wall," or "We're Ready," they sound as raw, gutsy, and uninhibited as one would expect them to sound in a club setting. And while Guy leaves the singing to Wells, he really shines on guitar. Guy, it should be noted, was listed as "Friendly Chap" on Delmark's original LP version of Hoodoo Man Blues; Delmark thought Guy was under contract to Chess, and so, they gave him a pseudonym. But by the early '70s, Guy's real name was being listed on pressings of this classic album. And make no mistake: Hoodoo Man Blues is a classic. This is essential listening for lovers of electric Chicago blues. ~ Alex Henderson
w. his Chicago Blues Band inc. Buddy Guy
Recorded in Chicago, Illinois on September 22 & 23, 1965. Includes liner notes by Bob Koester.
Personnel: Junior Wells (vocals, harmonica); Buddy Guy (vocals, guitar); Bill Warren (drums).
Liner Note Author: Bob Koester.
Recording information: 1965.
Photographer: Greg Roberts.
Personnel: Junior Wells (vocals, harmonica); Buddy Guy (guitar); Jack Myers (bass); Billy Warren (drums).
Down Beat (11/91) - 5 Stars - Excellent - "..the first LP to capture the raw dynamism of Chicago's second-generation electric blues. It's still a classic...peak performances by Wells on harmonica and vocals and Buddy Guy on guitar..."
Living Blues (p.71) - "Warren's drumsticks stay close to the skins, Myers' bass lines take alternate routes and play with the patterns in a loose, jazzy fashion..."
Buddy Guy / Junior Wells' Chicago Blues Band / Junior Wells - Hoodoo Man Blues Songs
| 1 | Snatch It Back And Hold It * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 2:53 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 2 | Ships on the Ocean * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior, Junior Wells | 4:08 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 3 | Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | | | |
| 4 | Hound Dog * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 2:09 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 5 | In the Wee Wee Hours * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 3:46 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 6 | Hey Lawdy Mama * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 3:14 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 7 | Hoodoo Man Blues * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 2:07 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 8 | Early In the Morning * See All 2 
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior, Junior Wells | 4:48 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 9 | We're Ready * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 3:40 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 10 | You Don't Love Me, Baby * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 2:24 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 11 | Chitlins Con Carne * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 2:13 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 12 | Yonder Wall * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 4:10 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 13 | Hoodoo Man Blues * See All 2
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | 2:07 | $0.99 | (From different album) |
| 14 | Chitlin Con Carne
Guy, Buddy & Wells, Junior | | | |
| (*) MP3 for this song is from a different CD. Listen to the sound sample to be sure this is the version you're looking for. |
Hoodoo Man Blues Music Review
Average Rating: (4.6 out of 5 stars)    List All 8 Reviews My kind of blues!
This is old Chicago style and has a lot of good sounds including Bass, Harmonica, and Sax.
Submitted by nskk (Princeton, Florida) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 4 of 7 found this helpful.
A classic
I first heard this recording in 1968 and it is still one of my favorite blues albums of all time. Don't really care for the loud, rock-oriented sound of Buddy Guy today, but here he is fabulous - always there, playing way more than just rythym guitar, and never over-powering the harp. And what can you say about Junior? Spittin' & gruntin' into the mike - outstanding! Just the liner notes are worth the price of admission.
Submitted by dennior (bainbridge island, WA, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 4 found this helpful.  Hoo Doo Man Blues/Junior Wells
I first bought this Album in '65, I began playing the harmonica. My record has broke. CD's are just as great. I have always consider this my favorite harmonica recording. It has two great solo performers.Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. The rest of the band is awesome making this record a collectors item for both harmonica and guitar players to have. I have since become a guitarist myself and I say this with a passion for the blues, Hoo Doo Man Blues, RULES! Jumpin' Dave.
Submitted by a reviewer (Lenoir,NC, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 2 found this helpful.
Just Buy It.
Worth the money for just 'Snatch It Back And Hold It', 'Early In The Mornin', and 'You Don't Love Me Baby', never mind the rest of this outstanding CD. Just great music.
Submitted by Austin (Stirling, Scotland)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 2 found this helpful. Essential
Simply put, this is one of the most important recordings to come out of Chicago after the first rush of Muddy, Wolf and Sunnyboy in the late 1940's. I bought this in 1965 and it is still a favorite. Junior, Buddy and the band set it all down here. It's like being in a club. The real deal, before rock influences overwhelmed traditional Chicago blues.
Submitted by Roy (New York City)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
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