Search - Junior Wells :: Live at Theresa's 1975

Junior Wells
Live at Theresa's 1975
Genres: Blues, Pop

Track Listings (19) - Disc #1
1. Little By Little (4:25)
2. Snatch It Back And Hold It (6:23)
3. Talk (0:27)
4. Love Her With A Feeling (4:11)
5. Juke (3:32)
6. Talk (1:00)
7. Happy Birthday (1:27)
8. Talk (1:45)
9. Scratch My Back (5:42)
10. Help The Poor (3:52)
11. Talk (0:40)
12. Come On In This House (3:23)
13. Talk (0:42)
14. What My Mama Told Me (7:58)
15. Key To The Highway (4:02)
16. Talk (0:12)
17. Goin' Down Slow (8:21)
18. Talk (0:14)
19. Messin' With The Kid (2:21)

CD Details

All Artists: Junior Wells
Title: Live at Theresa's 1975
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Delmark
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 10/17/2006
Genres: Blues, Pop
Styles: Chicago Blues, Electric Blues, Modern Blues, Harmonica Blues
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 038153078720

Synopsis

Album Description

Junior Wells started playing regularly at Theresa's in the late 1950s. There were other small blues clubs in Chicago, and Junior occasionally played them, but only at Theresa's did his immense magnetism come across every time he performed. Wells magnetism. For those of us who heard him at Theresa's, Junior Wells remains the greatest blues man. Not the greatest harmonica player - though he was great at that. Not the greatest blues singer - though he was really great at that. Not the greatest songwriter - mostly he sang others' material. But it wasn't really about an instrument, a voice, or a lyric. It was about a relationship. Theresa's itself was his true instrument. No one else played it as well, and no other place he played gave him as good a sound. As we often had occasion to say in those days, "Man, you should've been there!" Now you can be. Junior Wells, vocals, harmonica
Phil Guy, guitar (except 10)
Byther Smith, guitar (1-10), vocal (10), 2nd vocal (1)
Sammy Lawhorn, guitar (12-19)
Earnest Johnson, bass
Vince Chapelle, drums (1-10)
Levi Warren, drums (12-19)
Unknown, 2nd guitar (10)

CD Reviews

Live Blues Album Should Be A Classic

Terence Allen | Atlanta, GA USA | 06/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Junior Wells' "Live at Theresa's 1975" should grow into a classic live blues recording because it gives you the heart and soul of a live blues performance: great music, great songs, and great patter.

Theresa's was a popular Chicago blues spot in 1975, and it served as one of the chief hangouts of blues harmonica great Wells when he was in town. On the record, he's definitely in his element: laughing, joking, and working the room. The music is great, and Wells' gritty, raw-edged vocals heighten the flaovr of the live performance.

This is a great live recording of an genre, and one that will be fondly remembered."

Good live blues

Jude Pascarelli | CT USA | 10/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A good live blues album featuring Junior Wells. The version of Key to the Highway on this CD is my favorite. If you want to know what it sounds like to be at a live blues gig in Chicago in the 70's then buy this album. However, if you want a live album with good sound quality and performance I would recommend Junior Wells Live at the Golden Bear instead, as he performs better on that CD in my opinion."

Feels like you're in a little Chicago club

Rusty Sharpedge | Redondo Beach, CA | 08/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Other reviewers here have said it as well or better than I can say it so I'll brief. I just had to add my two cents in saying that this is an excellent experience in raw live blues. It feels like you're there, especially when you crank it up a bit on a home stereo or on headphones/earbuds. The music itself is some great 70s blues but it's the between-song banter and the intimate crowd sounds that really give this album it's ambiance and it's life.

The recording quality is not exactly high-fi, and I considered docking the 5th star but then it's the low-fi feel that only contributes to the grit and the immediacy in this performance."