Before Junior Wells became an icon of Chicago blues, with his outrageous pimp-inspired outfits and self-conscious vocal tics, he was an eager young Sonny Boy Williamson protégé who played a mean harp and had a naturally powerful voice. "Calling All Blues" features sides cut after Wells signed with Chief and Profile label producer Mel London.
With the fiery feel of a late-night jam session, Wells mostly leaves his harp alone and instead sings, shouts and wails his way through these 24 selections. On "Come On In This House," Wells swoops and hollers like Little Richard. You can hear the blueprint for the metallic Chicago blues sound Wells would forge with Buddy Guy only two years later.
