"This collection of Wells' debut recordings for the States label adds four previously unheard tracks along with the original 13-track vinyl lineup. Wells' legacy begins with these landmark sides, featuring Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Johnnie Jones, Otis Spann, Willie Dixon, and the Aces in the lineup at various points. Whether it's a slow one like his original take on "Hoodoo Man" or a jump number like "Cut That Out," the grooves are classic Chicago and a mile deep. Most telling are the acoustic duets with Louis Myers recorded between the 1953 and 1954 studio sessions and the fine instrumentals like "Junior's Wail" and "Eagle Rock." Although at the start of a long career, it's obvious that Junior Wells was already a young man with a style all his own, ready to make blues history. File under essential." (Allmusic)
"Elmore James didn't live long enough to garner mainstream attention: a heart attack in 1963 sent him to the grave at the much too early age of 45. But regardless, by the time of his death James was already a blues legend, his influence inestimable, as his signature slide guitar style affected not just the blues and R&B scenes but the rock world as well. For all its "Dark and Dreary" title, this sumptuous two-CD set gloriously revisits James' early years, paying a superb tribute to the singer/guitarist across 56 tracks. An expansive, well-researched, career-spanning biography tells James' story with obvious devotion and delight, while the track listing carefully notes the place, date, and musicians featured on each recording. Proceeding chronologically, the set begins in Jackson, MS, in August 1951, and traces a myriad of James' recordings before drawing to a close in Culver City, CA, in September three years later." (Jo-Ann Greene, Allmusic; klik op link voor gehele tekst)
Overzicht van het, veelal swingende, werk van deze Rhythm & Blues-artiest, die vooral met zijn slidegitaar opviel. De bottleneck-riff uit 'Dust My Broom' is misschien wel de meest geïmiteerde in de R&B.
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