Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Junior WELLS - Southside Blues Jam 1970


Junior WELLS - Southside Blues Jam 1970
With Buddy Guy, Otis Spann and Louis Myers

Blues 

Cut on December 30th 1969 and January 8th 1970, "Southside Blues Jam" is a looser affair than its predecessor, with longer songs, but equally well played by the superb combo which includes Buddy Guy, Fred Below, and pianist Otis Spann, whose presence almost always guarantees greatness (or at least "goodness").
The sound is very good, and the music is, too. Lean, muscular electric blues, including excellent renditions of "Stop Breaking Down", "I Just Want To Make Love To You", and "I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now" (which is actually Rice Miller's "In My Younger Days"). And Buddy Guy steps up and sings the final track, the seven-minute "Trouble Don't Last Always".

Dominated by Wells' strong, confident voice (and by the masterful playing of Otis Spann), this is a very worthy addition to any serious collection of electric Chicago blues. Some may feel that there isn't enough harp playing for a Junior Wells album, but that's a minor complaint, and Wells does play a couple of fine, mellow solos, particularly on "Trouble Don't Last Always", and his distictive harmonica blends well with Spann's rolling 88s on "Stop Breaking Down" and "You Say You Love Me".
It's not as essential as "Hoodoo Man Blues" and Wells' sizzling early sides on "Blues Hit Big Town", but it is a fine purchase for fans. Recommended.
By  Docendo Discimus.
**
Enjoyable but less electrifying follow-up to Hoodoo Man Blues, cut in 1969-1970 -- looser, with longer songs that afford more room to stretch out instrumentally but don't quite equal the stunning precision of what came before. Buddy Guy returns on guitar; Otis Spann is the pianist, and Fred Below keeps superb time.
By Bill Dahl, All Music Guide.
**
Buddy Guy- (Guitar), (Vocals),
Louis Myers- (Guitar),
Junior Wells- (Harmonica), (Vocals),
Fred Below- (Drums),
Otis Spann- (Piano),
Ernie Johnson- (Bass).
**
01.Stop Breaking Down 3:33
02.I Could Have Had Religion 3:09
03.I Just Want to Make Love to You 4:48
04.Baby, Please Send Me Your Love 7:03
05.You Say You Love Me 3:15
06.Blues for Mayor Daley 5:57
07.I Wish I Knew What I Know Now 4:05
08.Trouble Don't Last Always 7:48
**
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