Howlin' Wolf (album)

Howlin' Wolf is the second studio album from Chicago blues singer/guitarist/harmonicist Howlin' Wolf.[6] It is a collection of twelve singles previously released by the Chess label from 1960 through 1962.[7][8] Because of the illustration on its sleeve (by Don S. Bronstein), the album is often called The Rockin' Chair Album, a nickname even added to the cover on some reissue pressings of the LP.

Howlin' Wolf
Compilation album by
Howlin' Wolf
ReleasedJanuary 11, 1962
Recorded1959-1962[1]
GenreChicago blues
Length31:57
LabelChess
ProducerRalph Bass[1]
Howlin' Wolf chronology
Moanin' in the Moonlight
(1959)		 Howlin' Wolf
(1962)		 Howling Wolf Sings the Blues
(1962)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [2]
Mojo[3]
Rolling Stone [4]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[5]

Legacy and awards

In 1966, fellow Chess artist Koko Taylor recorded a cover version of "Wang Dang Doodle" which reached No. 4 on the Billboard's R&B Charts and became a minor crossover hit by making No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9] Earlier in 1963 Sam Cooke released a single of "Little Red Rooster" making No. 7 on the R&B Singles chart and No. 11 on the Hot 100.[10] In 1964 "Little Red Rooster" was released by the Rolling Stones, and became the first and only time that a blues record reached No. 1 in the UK charts (see Little Red Rooster#Rolling Stones version). In 1966 Cream recorded "Spoonful" on their debut album Fresh Cream, and included a live, 17-minute version on their 1968 album Wheels of Fire. In 1969 the songs "Shake for Me" and "Back Door Man" were used in the lyrics to the Led Zeppelin song "Whole Lotta Love".

In 1985 the album won a Blues Music Award by The Blues Foundation for 'Classics of Blues Recordings—Album'.[11] In 2012, the album was ranked No. 238 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time and described as "an outrageous set of sex songs written by Willie Dixon."[12] It was named the third greatest guitar album of all time by Mojo magazine in 2004.[13]

Reissue

In 1984 this album was reissued by Chess as CH-9183. The cover picture was changed slightly adding an elliptical logo beneath the album title that reads "CHICAGO 26 Golden years Single Album", and the "Chess LP 1469" trademark was replaced with the "CH-9183" identifier.

Critical response

When reviewed on its 50th anniversary in 2012 by Pig River Records, the record was highly praised, receiving a score of 8.6/10.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Willie Dixon; except where indicated

Side one
  1. "Shake for Me" – 2:12
  2. "The Red Rooster" – 2:22
  3. "You'll Be Mine" – 2:25
  4. "Who's Been Talkin'" (Howlin' Wolf) – 2:18
  5. "Wang Dang Doodle" – 2:18
  6. "Little Baby" – 2:45
Side two
  1. "Spoonful" – 2:42
  2. "Going Down Slow" (St. Louis Jimmy Oden) – 3:18
  3. "Down in the Bottom" – 2:05
  4. "Back Door Man" – 2:45
  5. "Howlin' for My Darlin'" – 2:28
  6. "Tell Me" (Howlin' Wolf) – 2:52

Personnel
Performers[2]
Production[1]

References
  1. "Howlin' Wolf - Howlin' Wolf (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  2. Cook, Stephen. "AllMusic review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  3. Brown, Geoff (November 2014). "Howlin' Wolf Howlin' Wolf". Mojo. p. 112. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  4. "223) Howlin' Wolf : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2010-04-12. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  5. Larkin, Colin (2007). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
  6. Both Sides Now: Chess Album Discography, Part 1: LP-1425 to LPS-1553 accessed September 19, 2019
  7. Wirz' American Music: Howlin' Wolf Discography accessed September 19, 2019
  8. Howlin' Wolf Sessionography accessed September 19, 2019
  9. Huey, Steve. "Koko Taylor - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  10. Whitburn, Joel (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942-1988, Records Research, Inc., ISBN 978-0-89820-069-0.
  11. "The Blues Foundation - Past Hall of Fame Inductees". Blues.org. Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  12. "Howlin' Wolf, Rolling Stone Music, Lists". rollingstone.com. April 5, 2010 (Updated Version). Retrieved September 11, 2010. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. Barnes, Anthony (21 July 2003). "Hendrix heads list of 100 guitar greats with 'Are You Experienced'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
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