Juicy Lucy – Get a Whiff a This (1971): British Blues Rock’s Underrated Gem
Released in 1971, Get a Whiff a This is the third studio album by Juicy Lucy, the British blues-rock band renowned for their heavy guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and fusion of blues, rock, and psychedelic elements. Following their self-titled debut in 1969 and Lie Back and Enjoy It (1970), this album continues the band’s exploration of gritty, groove-driven rock while highlighting their musical versatility and technical skill.
Although not a commercial blockbuster, Get a Whiff a This solidified Juicy Lucy’s reputation as one of Britain’s most underrated blues-rock acts of the early 1970s, blending hard rock energy with deep blues roots.
Band Background and Formation
Juicy Lucy was formed in 1969 in London, England, by:
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Glenn Ross Campbell – steel guitar, vocals
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Chris Mercer – saxophone, keyboards
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Ray Owen – vocals
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Micky Moody – guitar
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Keith Ellis – bass
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Pete Dobson – drums
The band quickly gained recognition for their blues-infused hard rock sound, highlighted by powerful dual guitars, organ textures, and expressive vocals. Their early albums combined original material with inventive covers, bridging British blues revival and American-style hard rock.
Musical Style and Sound
Get a Whiff a This is characterized by:
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Heavy blues-rock guitar riffs and slide guitar
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Soulful, gritty vocal performances
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Organ and saxophone accents for added texture
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Upbeat rock grooves mixed with blues improvisation
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Psychedelic and jam-influenced arrangements
The production emphasizes raw energy and groove, capturing the band’s live feel while incorporating studio polish to highlight individual musicianship.
Tracklist Overview
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Come and Get Me
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I Got Love If You Want It
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Who Do You Love?
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Lazy Days
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Don’t Turn Your Back on Me
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Could You Get the Feeling?
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Gasoline Alley
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Make Me Laugh
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It’s My Own Fault
The album blends up-tempo rockers, slow blues numbers, and soulful mid-tempo grooves, showcasing the band’s dynamic range and technical proficiency.
Standout Tracks
“Come and Get Me”
A driving opener with gritty vocals and searing guitar riffs, setting the tone for the album’s hard-rocking blues attitude.
“Who Do You Love?”
A cover of Bo Diddley’s classic, Juicy Lucy injects it with harder rock riffs, aggressive vocals, and bluesy improvisation, making it uniquely their own.
“I Got Love If You Want It”
Showcases the band’s soulful side, combining slow, hypnotic grooves with expressive vocal delivery and steel guitar textures.
Lyrical Themes
Get a Whiff a This explores classic blues-rock motifs:
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Love, desire, and heartbreak (I Got Love If You Want It, Don’t Turn Your Back on Me)
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Confidence and swagger (Come and Get Me, Gasoline Alley)
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Self-reflection and resilience (Could You Get the Feeling?)
The lyrics are direct, emotionally resonant, and grounded in blues storytelling tradition, matching the intensity of the instrumentation.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Juicy Lucy was one of the few British blues-rock bands to incorporate steel guitar and saxophone prominently, giving them a distinctive sound.
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Get a Whiff a This was released on Vertigo Records, a label known for progressive and hard rock acts, giving the album wider European distribution.
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Micky Moody, one of the band’s guitarists, later joined Whitesnake, bringing some of Juicy Lucy’s blues-rock sensibilities to a new generation.
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The band frequently covered American blues classics, bridging UK blues revival and U.S. blues traditions.
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Original vinyl pressings of this album are collector’s items among early 70s British blues-rock enthusiasts.
Did You Know?
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Juicy Lucy’s fusion of blues, rock, and psychedelia helped pave the way for bands like Humble Pie and Foghat.
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The band had a reputation for energetic live shows, often extending tracks into improvisational jams, which are reflected on this album.
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“Who Do You Love?” became a staple in live performances, demonstrating their skill in reinterpreting American blues for British audiences.
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The album title, Get a Whiff a This, reflects the band’s confident and irreverent approach to blues-rock.
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Despite limited mainstream success, Juicy Lucy developed a dedicated cult following in the UK and continental Europe.
Commercial Performance and Top-Selling Albums
While Get a Whiff a This was not a commercial blockbuster, it helped Juicy Lucy maintain their reputation in the British blues-rock scene. The band’s earlier album, Lie Back and Enjoy It (1970), had enjoyed modest success, and this release reinforced their position among early 70s blues-rock innovators.
Key Juicy Lucy albums include:
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Juicy Lucy (1969) – Debut, blues-rock roots
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Lie Back and Enjoy It (1970) – Critical acclaim
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Get a Whiff a This (1971) – Hard blues-rock experimentation
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Pieces (1972) – Transitional sound before lineup changes
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Get a Whiff a This exemplifies the vital role of British blues-rock in the early 1970s, highlighting Juicy Lucy’s ability to merge American blues influence with British rock sensibilities. Their innovative instrumentation, blending steel guitar, saxophone, and organ, influenced later hard rock and blues-rock acts across Europe.
Although Juicy Lucy never achieved massive mainstream fame, this album remains a hidden gem for blues-rock enthusiasts and collectors, exemplifying the raw energy and creativity of the British blues revival.
Most Famous Songs by Juicy Lucy
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Who Do You Love?
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I Got Love If You Want It
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Come and Get Me
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Gasoline Alley
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Don’t Turn Your Back on Me
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Lazy Days
These tracks highlight the band’s signature blend of blues, hard rock, and soulful expression.
Full Discography (Selected Studio Albums)
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Juicy Lucy (1969)
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Lie Back and Enjoy It (1970)
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Get a Whiff a This (1971)
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Pieces (1972)
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Who Do You Love (1995 – Reunion album)
Band Timeline
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Formed: 1969, London, England
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Years active: 1969–1972 (original lineup), later reunion attempts
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Status: Disbanded
Keywords
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