Recorded at two separate gigs in January 1975 but not issued until 2006, this captures
Junior Wells on-stage at
Theresa's, one of the most esteemed
Chicago blues clubs. It's a little rawer than most live albums; the sound is good, and
Wells is in good form, but his band is a little rough (and, particularly on the tracks with guitarist
Sammy Lawhorn, a little off-key). But the flaws really aren't too significant, as this is a pretty enjoyable set of
electric Chicago blues in its unadulterated vintage form.
Wells offers his trademark exuberant
blues with touches of
rock,
soul, and
funk, performing a few of his most popular tunes (
"Messin' with the Kid," "Snatch It Back and Hold It") and a bunch of classic covers that are more identified with other performers (
Slim Harpo's
"Scratch My Back," Big Bill Broonzy's
"Key to the Highway," St. Louis Jimmy Oden's
"Goin' Down Slow," Little Walter's
"Juke," Tampa Red's
"Love Her with a Feeling," and
"Help the Poor," the last popularized by
B.B. King). It might have been good to hear more
Wells' originals, but on the other hand it's cool to hear him bring his persona to that group of outside material, and a few five-minute-plus numbers allow him to stretch out more than he did in the studio. There's also some entertaining banter with the audience (and a version of
"Happy Birthday") that adds to the intimate, earthy club ambience, though you do feel that a talent as major as
Wells should have had slightly tighter backup musicians than the ones (including
Buddy Guy's brother,
Phil Guy, on guitar) playing on this CD. ~ Richie Unterberger
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