Junior Wells – Coming At You – Vanguard MD 79262

This 1988 re-release of an original 1968 collection produced by Sam Charters startles (in all the right ways) with its clear, full sound and high production values that carry Wells’ blues visions to grand heights.  The 11 selections found here include ten cuts authored and attributed to the likes of blues luminaries such as Sonny Boy Williamson I & II, John Lee Hooker, Lefty Dizz, Big Maceo, and Llittle Junior Parker, among others, all made the more vibrant by the cast surrounding Wells.

Wells is in high form here, his vocals rich and vibrant, shifting magnificently between the varying moods of his tunes, his harmonica playing melodically astute, and his general sense of rhythmic proficiencies on the highest summit.  In short, he is definitely at the top of his game.

Recorded in early March, 1968, Wells enjoys the contributions of his blues running mate Buddy Guy on lead guitar duties, Lefty Dizz plying his broad rhythm guitar talents, with Tom Crawford holding the bottom end together with his sterling bass capacities, and Levi Warren a virtual human metronome on drums. 

But what raises this collection above other Wells collections is the inclusion of a punchy, powerful horn section comprised of Douglas Fagen on tenor saxophone, Tom Mcintosh on trombone, and the trio of Clark Terry, Jimmy Owens, and Wallace Davenport on trumpets.  Their drive is wholly influential in making this Wells assemblage highly unique and exceptionally enjoyable.

Below are the running tracks of this essential CD. 

Song Titles

• Stop Breakin’ Down
• Somebody’s Tippin’ In
• Five Long Years
• Mystery Train
• So Sad This Morning
• When My Baby Left Me
• Little By Little
• Tobacco Road
• Worried Life Blues
• I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man
• You Don’t Love Me

This needs to be in any serious blues collection!