Junior Wells Hoodoo Man Blues 45RPM (2 LP)

TAS Super LP List! Special Merit: Informal
Pressed at Quality Record Pressings on 200g 45rpm Double LP!
Now In A Gatefold Jacket With New Artwork!
New Additional Liner Notes By Jim O'Neal!
2018 Stereophile Magazine Record to Die For!
Junior Wells and his harmonica will never be forgotten. Just like his great debut album "Hoodoo Man Blues" from 1965, which became a classic of electric blues; it was also the first LP by a Chicago blues band.
The high-quality pressing as a 45 RPM double LP with the fine remastering by Kevin Gray offers the work its deserved space and, in addition to Wells, also lets the playing of his accompanists, guitarist Buddy Guy, bassist Jack Myers and drummer Billy Warren come across full of soul. Right from the opener, the up-tempo number "Snatch It Back an Hold it" is really fun, but also the slower tracks like "Early in the Morning" convey a real, earthy, deep mood. Combining the excellent acoustics of a professional studio with an intimate nightclub atmosphere, the recording will have your feet and head bobbing. Absolutely worth listening to!
One of the all-time great urban blues records and the best-seller in the famed Delmark catalog. Hoodoo Man Blues is so full of bravado and snap it'll make you feel tough just listening to it. Not all of the Delmark titles were recorded very well, but this one certainly was. And at 45 RPM, this now stands as the undisputed definitive version. For 2020, a redesigned gatefold jacket with new artwork has been added, plus additional liner notes from Jim O'Neal, co-founder of Living Blues Magazine.
Hoodoo Man Blues, which features Buddy Guy on guitar, is not only Junior Wells' first LP appearance, it's damn near the first LP by a Chicago blues band. Chess and a few other labels had reissued 45s by Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, etc., but virtually no one had tried to capture the Chicago blues sound free of the limitations of juke box/airplay promotion. Hoodoo Man Blues went a long way in the popularization of real Chicago blues and of Junior Wells.
"This viscerally punchy electric blues is anchored by unimprovable harp playing from Junior Wells, a young Buddy Guy by his side. From the kick of up-tempo numbers like 'Snatch It Back and Hold It' to the deep, sexy, slow moan of 'Early in the Morning,' you just can't top this. Current audiophile bona fides are in excellent order, thanks to fine remastering by Kevin Gray and Analogue Productions for 45 RPM, LP, SACD/CD, and DSD download." - Sasha Matson, Stereophile Magazine Record To Die For 2018

Features:

• 45rpm 200g Vinyl
• 2LP
• Mastered by Kevin Gray at AcousTech Mastering
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings
• Gatefold jacket with new artwork
• New additional liner notes by Jim O'Neal, co-founder of Living Blues Magazine

Musicians:

• Junior Wells, harmonica, vocals
• Buddy Guy, guitar
• Jack Myers, bass
• Billy Warren, drums

Selections:

Side A
1. Snatch It Back And Hold It
2. Ships On The Ocean
3. Good Morning Schoolgirl
Side B
1. Hound Dog
2. In The Wee Wee Hours
3. Hey Lawdy Mama
Side C
1. Hoodoo Man Blues
2. Early In The Morning
3. We're Ready
Side D
1. You Don't Love Me, Baby
2. Chitlin Con Carne
3. Yonder Wall