Howlin' On the 4th

Happy 4th of July to everyone who recognizes the 4th as a holiday!

About a week ago, someone requested that I post a very rare Howlin' Wolf album. Ask and ye shall receive.

Here is a review I posted during March on Ear Fuzz that hopefully gives you an idea of what it sounds like.



Howlin Wolf was persuaded to record This is Howlin' Wolf's New Album for Cadet Concept in 1969. This label also released Muddy Water's Electric Mud which has a similar electric rock-n-roll blues sound designed to pull in bigger audiences for both bluesmen. Wolf's opinion of this record was emblazoned on the cover in bold letters- This Is Howlin Wolf's New Album. he Doesn't Like It. He Didn't Like His Electric Guitar At First Either. The idea of creating this album came to Marshall Chess after he toured with the Rolling Stones and realized that they were making money off of the blues legends who influenced them. He brought in the same band that was used in the Electric Mud sessions: Pete Cosey and Phil Upchurch- guitars, Louis Satterfield on bass and Morris Jennings on drums to create the psychedelic blues-funk- rock-n-roll fusion that was becoming popular at the time.



The whole album is funky with chicken scratch wah-wah guitar and funky basslines that would make Bootsy Collins blush. The rhythm section is tight as a vice and Wolf's bluesy vocals work well with the funky backbeat and acidic guitars. On this version of Smokestack Lightning, a funky Yusef Lateef style flute complements Wolf's gruff vocals while the band switches up from a midtempo funky jam to a psychedelic hazy dream filled with wah-wah guitars. Down in the Bottom gets a groove going that reminds me of the Meters mixed with the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The rest of the album is just as funky and gritty as these two tracks, so keep an eye out for this one at your local record store. It is a definite must for fans of fuzz guitar blues psychedelia.


















Howlin Wolf- This Is Howlin Wolf's New Album
[Cadet Concept, 1969]


Your comments are always appreciated!

Comments

planckzoo said…
Thanks for posting this lp. I regret not picking it up in stores when it was easy to find.
Nik said…
Unbelievable! Thank you so much! I've been wanting to hear this album for five years. I will listen to everything you ever put on this site from now on. Thanks again!
Anonymous said…
Thank you!

I love "Electric Mud" and can hardly wait to hear this one!!Thanks for the share! :) we're at 34%!!

John
Anonymous said…
I'm with John here, can't wait to hear this!
Peter said…
me too. never knew it existed. cosey is a god!
Anonymous said…
This has been released in Japan on CD this year.
Anonymous said…
One of the more successful Chess makeover's, in my opinion. I've been looking to replace my old copy of this.
Anonymous said…
I must be dead...the album was re-issued in CD format? Thanks for the rip...you have no idea what this means to me, peace
Anonymous said…
This Howlin' Wolf album was released in a very limited CD version this year in Japan and seems to be deleted now so the only place it seems to be available is eBay for around $50.
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