John Littlejohn: & Carey Bell (1981)

By 1981, the blues world was shifting. Synthesizers were creeping into everything, and the "raw" sound was being cleaned up for radio. But when Littlejohn and Bell teamed up for their Japanese tour—where this material was captured—they ignored the trends.

The Raw Magic of 1981: When John Littlejohn Met Carey Bell In the world of Chicago blues, there are "studio polish" records, and then there are records that sound like they were cut in a basement filled with cigarette smoke and overpriced bourbon. The 1981 collaboration between slide guitar master and harmonica wizard Carey Bell (often released as Blues Show! Live at the Pit Inn ) is firmly the latter. John Littlejohn & Carey Bell (1981)

A disciple of Elmore James, Littlejohn was one of the few who could make a slide guitar scream with aggression while maintaining a haunting, melodic soul. His technique was precise, but his delivery was pure grit. By 1981, the blues world was shifting

They stuck to the fundamentals: Standout Vibes The Raw Magic of 1981: When John Littlejohn

If you haven't spun this lately, go find it. Your speakers will thank you (even if your neighbors don't).

If you’re looking for the definitive bridge between the old-school Delta roots and the electrified energy of the 80s Chicago scene, this is your soundtrack. The Players