Well

Charlie Musselwhite wrote 12 of the 13 tracks on the album, sharing a writing credit with Zoe Wood on “Dig The Pain.” The liner notes he wrote for the record suggest The Well might be among the most personal projects of his career. “Dig The Pain” and “The Well” both reference his struggle with alcoholism and the events in his life that helped lead him to 22 years of sobriety. “Cook County Blue” recalls one of the times he was arrested in Chicago and was sentenced to jail time. Mavis Staples provides backing vocals on “Sad And Beautiful World,” a song inspired by his mother’s 2005 murder in Memphis.

The Well is deeper than those deep troubles and hurts with songs like “Where Hwy 61 Runs” and “Clarksdale Getaway” recalling fondly Musselwhite’s youth in the Delta and “Sonny Payne Special,” dedicated to his longtime friend and famous DJ of the venerable King Biscuit radio show.