Buddy Guy/Junior Wells - Going Back To Acoustic

Pure Pleasure Analogue Records PPAN001($26-)

If you like acoustic blues, you can stop reading and go buy this album right now.  It is that good.

Recorded May 15, 1981, and originally released in France on Isabel Records 900.510 (which I am actively shopping to compare sonics-such is my mania) and Alligator Records ALCD 4802.  These two legends came to Sysmo Studios, Paris, France. without their respective bands for an impromptu magical session. This record goes down so, sosmooth, very similar to the Muddy Waters - Folk Singer audiophile chestnut, but lacking that recording's big echo.  This recording is simply two relaxed masters at the top of their games.

This disc is DEAD quiet, even after traveling from Fresno, California, where I bought it from Spinners Records (www.spinnersrecords.com) about three or four years ago.  My brother and I were in Fresno for a family business trip, and, of course, I just had to go looking for records! I saw it, remembered something about it being good, and went to the counter.  I said a silent, kind word to whom/whatever is in charge of airline baggage, and boarded my flight home. Got home, unpacked, everything looked good, and I promptly forgot all about it, until about an hour ago. What the hell was I thinking? I could have been listening to this delightful record all this time!

It begins with John Lee Hooker's "Boogie Chillun" and improves from then on, through "High Heel Sneakers" in the most relaxed back-porch way, you'd never think these songs had ever been recorded electric. Definitely a desert island disc. Go buy this album.  It really makes me wish I still had the Onion...I'd be on a soapbox out front, playing the HELL out of it!