Junior Wells Reissue Adds Another Tone to Chicago Blues

The reissue of Junior Wells’ Coming At You is like a sister release to the reissue of Buddy Guy’s debut album, A Man & The Blues. Both albums were originally released in 1968 via Vanguard Records and then rereleased on the same day this year by Craft Recordings to celebrate their 50th anniversaries. Both albums were re-pressed on 180-gram vinyl and culled from the original analog master recordings. However, the same frustrations apply to both reissues of A Man & The Blues and Coming At You: They offer sonically pristine repressings, but lack in supplemental information or history. 

One highlight of this reissue is simply its availability. Coming At You, which is Wells’ fifth release, hasn’t appeared on vinyl in 40 years. Most of the songs on Coming At You are recognizable blues standards, ranging from “Tobacco Road” (written by John D. Loudermilk, popularized by the Nashville Teens, and covered by Lou Rawls, Jefferson Airplane, Eric Burdon, etc.) to “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” (written by Willie Dixon, first recorded by Muddy Waters, adapted by Bo Diddly, brought mainstream by Eric Clapton, and more). Additionally, Guy shreds a mean lead guitar all over Coming At You (especially on “Little by Little and “Five Long Years”), contributing a dueling melody for Wells’ own howling harmonica fills and solos (like on “Somebody’s Tippin In”). But coming into a reissue somewhat blind presents and interesting opportunity for recontextualizing its place in the canon of Chicago blues and American roots music. 

Wells, who was born in Memphis (although it’s unconfirmed on which side of the Mississippi River), came to be known as the “Godfather of the Blues.” His virtuosic yet tastefully placed harmonica riffs and solos helped expand what electrified blues could sounds like. Additionally, Wells was an emotive vocalist, and his growls, whines, and moans can be heard all over Coming At You. This blend of traditional blues structure and signing, amplified mouth harp, and occasional brass accompaniment helped Wells gain fans in various rock, funk, and soul circles.

The most interesting element of these reissues then might just be the ways in which Wells and Guy supports each other with these albums and throughout their careers. Record stores will sell these releases individually, but taken as a pair (which Craft Recordings offers at a slight discount), Coming At You and A Man & The Blues offer a dual narrative of some of the best of the electric blues.