Buddy Guy, Vocals *, 6- and12-String Guitar
Junior Wells, Vocals #, Harmonica
Produced by Didier Tricard
Recorded May 15, 1981 at Sysmo Studio, Paris, France
Cover photo by Peter Amft

Buddy Guy, Vocals *, 6- and12-String Guitar
Junior Wells, Vocals #, Harmonica
Produced by Didier Tricard
Recorded May 15, 1981 at Sysmo Studio, Paris, France
Cover photo by Peter Amft
Back cover photos by Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve
Cover design by Matt Minde
Originally issued in France on Isabel Records 900.510 under the title Going Back
Additional material for North American release chosen by Bruce Iglauer
Mastered by Dr. Toby Mountain at Northeastern Digital, Southborough, MA
Photographed harmonica courtesy Lee Oskar Harmonicas
Photographed guitar courtesy Andy Aledort

Special thanks to I.M.L. (representing Guild Guitars in France) and National Music of Paris
Very special thanks to Marty Salzman and Scott Cameron

 

Liner Notes

BUDDY GUY AND JUNIOR WELLS are doubtlessly the best known duo in contemporary blues. Buddy is a groundbreaking, fiery electric blues guitarist and Junior is one of Chicago blues' master harmonica stylists. Both have been recording since the 1950s, and their best records are amongst the cream of modern blues recordings. They have toured all over the world, playing loud, tough, electric Chicago blues, accompanied by hot and hard rhythm sections. In 1981, Buddy and Junior spent a day in a studio in Paris, in the midst of a European tour, getting back to their roots. Instead of their usual electric guitar and amplified harmonica, both played acoustic instruments. Instead of accompaniment by a full band, they were accompanied only by each other.

The results were an hour of intimate, relaxed blues, with many of the lyrics improvised on the spot. Together they paid homage to the Deep South acoustic blues tradition from which their contemporary music sprang, and to some of the bluesmen who inspired them. Buddy offered three originals and three John Lee Hooker classics. Junior sang two originals and paid tribute to his mentor, Muddy Waters, performing one of Muddy's own songs and two traditional Delta blues that were Waters' favorites. They played and sang acoustic versions of songs that had been made famous as electric blues by Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Rogers and Ricky Allen.

We at Alligator Records are very pleased to finally make these wonderful, very personal recordings available in North America. In addition to the songs which appeared on the original French release, Isabel Records has provided five previously unissued performances for our re-release.

-- Bruce Iglauer

"A treasure"
- MUSICIAN

"Damn good news for the blues…compelling originals and traditional standards performed in the raw Delta style Guy and Wells gew up with"
- ROLLING STONE

"A revelation...unrelentingly entertaining"
- PULSE