The last five tracks are 1968 recordings of Wolf alone with just an acoustic guitar stamping out the rhythm, with some casual talk about his musical roots mixed in. Since he had been performing as a musician at least part time since the early 30's but hadn't started recording until some twenty years later, this is a rare glimpse to what Wolf in his formative years might have sounded like. "Woke Up This Morning" is the best of this short batch, and here he displays the still-nimble acoustic guitar picking he learned first hand from such Delta luminaries as Charley Patton.
After making the decision to hype this record I found out that I was lucky to have found it at the record store some 10 years ago; it's currently out of print and only available as an import (or, of course, used). It's still very much a record to seek out for anyone wanting a solid bedrock in their blues record collection. You still want to start your Howlin' Wolf collection with the Chess box set, but Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog is the logical follow up acquisition. In the meantime, here are a cross section of tracks with which to whet your appetite:
Listen: Howlin' Wolf "Look-A-Here Baby"
Listen: Howlin' Wolf "Midnight Blues"
Listen: Howlin' Wolf "Tail Dragger(alternate take)"
Listen: Howlin' Wolf "I Had A Dream"
Listen: Howlin' Wolf "The Big House"
Listen: Howlin' Wolf "Woke Up This Morning"
Note: Linked tracks are low quality rips available for only about a week.
Article comments
1 - sandy guy schoenfeld
My iconic and rare portraits and concert shots (as well as family pics) of the legendary Howlin' Wolf may be seen on my website.
I was Wolf's friend and harmonica student, as well as chosen photographer. I recently located my additional taped interviews of him and... unique songs by him (and me) playing and singing together that have never yet been published on a CD or record, but are about to be. (Then you can hear how he likely sounded "in the '30s") as it's heavy powerful rocking full acoustic boogie Wolf style country style blues harp as well as me banging drums on the furniture.
2 - Pico
Those are some fantastic pics, Sandy, thanks for sharing those. And some more previously unreleased, done-home recordings of Wolf should be something any blues lover will look forward to.
Joe Morello gave you drumming lessons? Get out! :&)
-P