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Hoodoo Man Blues 1965
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Hoodoo Man Blues

The album Hoodoo Man Blues, released in November 1965, marks the debut of Junior Wells as a vocalist and harmonica player, accompanied by the Junior Wells' Chicago Blues Band. This work was produced by Bob Koester, founder of Delmark Records, who, despite his doubts about commercial response, granted Wells notable creative freedom. This allowed the album, characterized by its authentic Chicago blues sound, to become a major success for the label, establishing Wells' career and earning recognition as one of the greatest blues records ever recorded.

Year
1965
Songs
12
Duration
40 min 20 seg
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About the album

Hoodoo Man Blues, according to DoReSol

One of the standout tracks is Hoodoo Man Blues, which nearly did not appear on the album due to its initial rejection by radio stations. Wells had recorded this piece years earlier, but it was only thanks to Koester's support that he managed to include it in this project. The album's production took place in a studio environment aimed at capturing the atmosphere of the city's clubs, making it one of the first records to effectively document that ambiance. The participation of Buddy Guy on guitar, initially credited as "Friendly Chap," contributed a distinctive sound, even when his amplifier failed and he had to use a Hammond organ speaker.

The impact of Hoodoo Man Blues was significant, not only for Wells' career but also for the blues genre as a whole. With a total runtime of 46:30, the album includes other memorable tracks such as Good Morning Schoolgirl and Snatch It Back and Hold It, which reflect the essence of Chicago blues. Over the years, this work has repeatedly been cited as one of the most important records in the genre, praised for its ability to capture the energy and style of Chicago's music scene.