Junior Wells – Live At Theresa’s 1975 – Delmark Records DE 787

I was so very fortunate to have seen Wells in various venues over the years, whether they be in the north side Chicago clubs, Buddy Guy’s joint in the city’s South Loop area, on the stages of Chicago’s annual massive Blues Festival, and in south side spots such as The Checkerboard Lounge.  And without a doubt, Wells was a blues performer who always knew his audience and adjusted his act within whatever site he was playing to meet the “feel” of the scene and the folks who comprised his listeners.  With Wells, it was always about the songs, how he relayed their sentiments, and their dynamics given the stage he was in charge of. 

This 12-track 2006 Delmark Records release (with one track being titled “Happy Birthday,” and that’s just what it is; a birthday shout-out), plus spoken interludes by Wells to his south side Chicago home turf Theresa’s patrons, is a fascinating glimpse into both his comfort and commanding presence on the club’s stage, and the way his act was different from that at venues diverging from the big city’s south side area.

The superlative tracks captured here were gathered over the course of two different shows, and they completely seize the raw, intense, and classic Chicago south side blues show with all its many highs and, as is always the case with any “live” blues performance, the rough spots, as well.  But that’s the luster here in that this blues encapsulation is the “real deal,” front-to-back.

Many of Wells’ definitive cuts are here including “Little By Little,” “Snatch It Back And Hold It,” “Messin’ With The Kid,” and “Come On In This House,” along with some very tasty covers of works by the likes of swamp blue king Slim Harpo, blues harmonica titan Little Walter, and even the highly influential early Chicago bluesman and folk music revivalist Big Bill Broonzy. 

The running time of certain of these songs permits Wells to expand on his musical musings, providing interesting glimpses into those moments when he would just follow his heart and mind.

Not to only speak of Wells’ grand authority across the landscape of this astounding collection, he is accompanied on this outing by some of the very best Chicago players at the time such as Sammy Lawhorn, Byther Smith, Phil Guy, and another unknown artist on guitar, both Levi Warren and Vince Chapelle on drums, and Earnest Johnson on bass.

This is a recording that commands to be in the library of any blues fan.  A collection is weaker for not having it.  Strengthen your collection with it, then, should you not have it!

This is significant, historic work, indeed!  Essential!