Cut from the same cloth as Wells’ classic Hoodoo Man Blues LP from the same period, It’s My Life, Baby! captured the Junior Wells-Buddy Guy team in great form, both in the studio and live at Pepper’s Lounge on 43rd Street. This album tends a bit more towards slow blues, including a rare example of Wells’ chromatic harmonica playing on ‘Slow, Slow,’ but there are fine uptempo pieces, including the blues-funk workout ‘Stomach Ache,’ which Vanguard even released as a single, and ‘Checking on My Baby.’ The backup musicians this time around include Leroy Stewart on bass, Fred Below and Little Al on drums, and a second guitarist, Walter Beasley. Two additional tracks from the Pepper’s date were later released on Wells’ Best of the Vanguard Years CD.
Recorded in Chicago, 1966. Released on LP as Vanguard VRS-9231 (mono) and VSD-79231 (stereo) in 1966; on CD as Vanguard VMD-73120 in 1988/1990.
— Jim O’Neal
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