Show #108: Junior Wells

Although Junior Wells is not as well-known as folks like Muddy Waters or Howlin' Wolf, he is still an icon of Chicago blues.



I am unfamiliar with Wells' story so I'm going to quote from The Blues Harp Page:

Born in Memphis, Wells learned his earliest harp licks from another future legend, Little Junior Parker, before he came to Chicago at age 12. In 1950, the teenager passed an impromptu audition for guitarists Louis and David Myers at a house party on the South side, and the Deuces were born. When drummer Fred Below came aboard, they changed their name to the Aces.

Little Walter left Muddy Waters in 1952 (in the wake of his hit instrumental, "Juke"), and Wells jumped ship to take his place with Waters. That didn't stop the Aces (who joined forces with Little Walter) from backing Wells on his initial sessions for States Records, though -- his debut date produced some seminal Chicago blues efforts, including his first reading of "Hoodoo Man," a rollicking "Cut That Out," and the blazing instrumentals "Eagle Rock" and "Junior's Wail."


(Photo found here.)

With Bob Koester producing, the harpist cut an all-time classic LP for Delmark in 1965. Hoodoo Man Blues vividly captured the feel of a typical Wells set at Theresa's Lounge, even though it was cut in a studio. With Buddy Guy (initially billed as "Friendly Chap" due to his contract with Chess) providing concise lead guitar, Wells laid down definitive versions of "Snatch It Back and Hold It," "You Don't Love Me," and "Chittlin' Con Carne."

I do know that Wells had a great impact on a young Mick Jagger as the Rolling Stones singer has often cited him as a major influence. During the latter part of his career, Wells did little recording but he did perform until health problems kept him offstage. He died in January 1998 after having fallen into a coma the previous autumn.

This performance was recorded on 16 September 1966 at Club 47 in Cambridge, Mass. It features Wells reunited with his old bandmates in The Aces. Three sets were performed that night and I feature the first and a chunk of the second.

Junior Wells - harmonica, vocals
Louis Myers - guitar, vocals
Dave Myers - bass
Fred Below - drums

Setlist:

Set 1
Intro Instrumental
One Mint Julep
Reelin' & Rockin'
I Feel So Good (I Wanna Boogie)
One Way Out
Worried Life Blues
You Better Come Home
Outro Instrumental

Set 2
Honky Tonk
Juke
That's Alright
Yonder Wall
Messin' With The Kid

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Junior Wells

This is a clip of Wells playing "Cryin' Shame" in 1970.