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Album Thoughts

This album is definitely my gateway to a whole new genre!  Before this, I hadn’t really explored blues music. I knew all the classics like BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton. However, back in 2020 when I was trying to broaden my musical horizons, I stumbled upon an essential blues playlist. The song “Hoodoo Man Blues” came on and I was instantly hooked. 

From the very first second, the album’s full band intro seamlessly transitions into a groovy riff, perfectly encapsulating the title. It immediately captures your attention, urging you to “Snatch It Back And Hold It”. Then, out of nowhere, bursts the most essential instrument in blues music: the harmonica! This spectacular instrument can produce a full, resonant sound or a deep, soulful tone. In this song, it fully transforms the track into a jazzy masterpiece. The rolling keys and the interplay of breath control perfectly complement the ride cymbal’s steady beat. 

“Ships On The Ocean” really sways like you’d be on a rocking ship. The pause between beats really swings the song through. Junior Well’s vocal grunt contrasts beautifully with the sweet sound of his band, almost like a vocal cry throughout the song. While his vocals convey the emotion, it’s the harmonica solo halfway through that truly captures the things he couldn’t articulate. 

Let’s tackle the elephant in the room: “Good Morning Schoolgirl” would be practically impossible to record and release today.  The opening lines, “Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl, Can I Go Home With You? / Tell Your Mother And Your Papa I’m A Little Schoolboy Too,” are genuinely reminiscent of 60s music. Beyond the subject matter, this bouncy track is a real toe-tapper. His seductive voice as he sings his love for this girl is very prominent. 

This iconic song, originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton and most famously performed by Elvis Presley, takes on a different flavour with Junior Well’s sped-up version. It offers a unique perspective on this usually guttural tune. However, I feel the speed-up version somewhat diminishes the song’s passion. The original intent seems to be to confront someone, but at speed, it feels like he’s rushing through his pain rather than allowing it to fully sink in and hurt. 

This instrumental tune, “In The Wee Hours”, truly showcases Buddy Guy’s brilliance. The progression begins with a seductive guitar riffing accompanied by harmonica, gradually building into a slow, captivating guitar solo that culminates in a poetic flourish. 

This rocking blues blend has a vibe that makes me think people would love to dance rock and roll to it. The way the sticks tap off the high hat with little accents just gets you wanting to swing someone around the dance floor! “Hey Lawdy Mama” feels absolutely right to me!

If the hoodoo man represents how much I love this song, then yes, as Junior Wells sings, “Someone Done Hoodoo To The Hoodoo Man.” There’s something incredibly satisfying about everything about it: the pulsating rhythm behind his vocals, the way he elongates the “Hand” lyric, and the melody itself – pure perfection. It’s what captivated me about blues music. If you’re new to blues, I highly recommend starting with this masterpiece.

“Early In The Morning” is a smooth and seductive song featuring harmonica solos throughout. Similarly, “We’re Ready” uses the harmonica as a prominent instrument in this instrumental piece, demonstrating the control over his craft, likely honed over years of playing.

Buddy Guy’s bouncy guitar playing in “You Don’t Love Me Baby” is a refreshing change this far into the album. While the last few songs were enjoyable, they started to feel repetitive. This stylistic shift reignited my interest. 

The rock and roll sway on “Chitlin Con Carne” adds a lovely touch. The smooth swing around the drum kit builds momentum and creates a beautiful travelling instrumental. This, along with the bluesy sway on “Yonder Wall”, makes for a great album finale.

The alternative takes at the album’s end are interesting. “Hoodoo Man Blues (Alternative Take)” offers a slowed, seductive version that I personally think loses some of the song’s joy. “Chitlin Con Carne (Alternative Take)”, however, maintains the generic sway but removes the rock and roll feel.

Overall, while some songs are repetitive and similar, this album was a great introduction to blues for me. It’s simple and effective enough to encourage me to explore more. 

Track List

1. Snatch It Back And Hold It
2. Ships On The Ocean
3. Good Morning Schoolgirl
4. Hound Dog
5. In The Wee Hours
6. Hey Lawdy Mama
7. Hoodoo Man Blues
8. Early In The Morning
9. We’re Ready
10. You Don’t Love Me Baby
11. Chitlin Con Carne
12. Yonder Wall
13. Hoodoo Man Blues (Alternative Take)
14. Chitlin Con Carne (Alternative Take)