Buddy Guy & Junior Wells – Play The Blues

Buddy Guy & Junior Wells – Play The Blues

A landmark collaboration between two giants of Chicago blues, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells – Play The Blues captures the raw energy, soulful musicianship and electric intensity that made both artists so influential. Originally released in 1972 on Atco Records, the album brings together the powerhouse guitar playing of Buddy Guy and the distinctive harmonica and vocals of Junior Wells in a set that bridges traditional Chicago blues with the soul and R&B influences of the early 1970s.

Play The Blues has an especially fascinating recording history. The main sessions took place at Criteria Studios in Miami in 1970, with Eric Clapton heavily involved as producer and guitarist, alongside producer Tom Dowd and Atlantic co-founder Ahmet Ertegun. Dr. John contributes piano, while A.C. Reed adds tenor saxophone, creating a stellar supporting cast around Guy and Wells. Two further tracks were recorded with the J. Geils Band in 1972 to complete the album for release.

The album opens with the soulful “A Man Of Many Words,” immediately demonstrating the more R&B-influenced direction of the sessions. Junior Wells' harmonica and vocals then come to the forefront on “My Baby Left Me (She Left Me A Mule To Ride),” while the medley “Come On In This House / Have Mercy Baby” delivers the kind of intimate, hard-driving Chicago blues for which the duo were renowned.

One of the major highlights is the superb interpretation of T-Bone Walker's “T-Bone Shuffle,” with Buddy Guy's guitar taking centre stage. Elsewhere, “Messin' With The Kid” remains one of Junior Wells' signature songs, while “This Old Fool,” “I Don't Know” and “Bad Bad Whiskey” showcase the relaxed but exceptionally accomplished interplay between the musicians. The closing “Honeydripper” rounds out a set packed with classic blues repertoire and outstanding performances.

Eric Clapton's presence makes Play The Blues particularly interesting to collectors of blues and blues-rock, reflecting the deep connection between the Chicago blues musicians of Guy and Wells' generation and the British blues musicians who drew heavily from them. Clapton's guitar contributions and production involvement add another layer of historical significance to an already important blues collaboration.

For collectors of Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Chicago blues, electric blues, blues guitar, blues harmonica and Eric Clapton, Play The Blues is an essential album. It captures two Chicago legends at the centre of an impressive ensemble, combining gritty traditional blues with the soulful studio sound of the early 1970s.

Tracklist

Side A

1. A Man Of Many Words – 4:00
2. My Baby Left Me (She Left Me A Mule To Ride) – 3:07
3. Come On In This House - Have Mercy Baby – 4:19
4. T-Bone Shuffle – 4:16
5. A Poor Man's Plea – 3:11

Side B

1. Messin' With The Kid – 2:11
2. This Old Fool – 4:43
3. I Don't Know – 4:26
4. Bad Bad Whiskey – 4:12
5. Honeydripper – 3:29