Here's a great clip of Howlin' Wolf, with lots of harp. Wolf is looking trim and sharp--almost hipsterish in a tight black turtleneck. Chaos rules within the band; it's not a tight ship. Great performance, though:
Now I could be wrong here but I think I hear what Adam means.
It could be down to the recording / playback levels but to me it sounds like the guitar player and sax player are really battling as to who's turn it is to take a solo - often playing over each other and even over Wolf.
The guitar seems a lot jazzier and busier than usual for the Wolf band (is it Hubert Sumlin or not?). I'd have to argue the sax is just plain overplayed - take a breath or a break maybe?
For my personal taste, the guitar here (to a certain extent) and the sax for sure are both too self centered / solo based and not integrating into the unity of the band.
Far be it for me to knock the Wolf's band - I'm a huge fan of his music and harp playing but that guitar and sax? Sheesh, less is more and all that!
I gave a listen and I'd say Adam's critique is right on. Given The Wolf's reputation, I wonder what, if any, were the reprecussions for the band members after this. I mean the sax and guitar were so busy stepping all over him......yikes Wolf couldn't have been a happy cat after that.
I agree - I'm a huge wolf fan, and the background doesn't sound tight and controlled like his usually is, but yes Adam he definitely dominates, and I love hearing this much harp from him.
Honkin On Bobo - I'm currently reading 'Moanin' at Midnight - The Life and Times of Howlin' Wolf' by Segrest / Hoffman. A running theme seems to be Wolf trying to run a tight ship - keeping the band sober and smartly dressed (and not sounding like Muddy's band). Wolf was definitely the boss who wouldn't tolerate anything he saw as unprofessional.
All musical mistakes and any bad behaviour were punished by fines, sackings (and occasionally fights).
I wouldn't want to face an angry Wolf!
(I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is a Wolf or blues fan in general by the way).
This video was taken while he was sick and suffering from kidney dialysis and all of his gigs had to be near a VA hospital so he could get treatment (that usually meant being at the clinic 3 times a week, which before I got a kidney transplant, I went thru the same thing) and his weight at this moment was way down.
This was his band on an off night, having seen him several times before he passed away. His stage presence was at times kinda scary but you KNEW who was the boss on that bandstand when he was there.
One of the nights I saw him, SP Leary was his drummer (one of the best blues drummers ever) and he was talking some weird s**t and Wolf gave a glare at him that absolutely scared me out of my draws.
Here's a perfect example of his sound and that classic slow, deep vibrato he had (and that's a tough one to master) and it shows you that having an amp ain't necessary for great tone, which he had in spades. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
If you're looking into someone for tons of licks, Wolf ain't your guy, as what he learned from came mainly from lessons from SBWII, but what seperates him is his tone and that slow, deep vibrato, both of which are tough nuts to master. He also played guitar, often times slide guitar, but his main instrument was always his vocals. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
And he plays BLUES! Every note says something. He (and others like Jimmy Reed or Jerry McCain, to name just a couple) are often overlooked in the world of speed, multiple positions and overblows. These guys are the real thing and we would do well not to look at the "limited" solos and move on.
Last Edited by Little roger on Feb 26, 2015 2:51 PM
It's not the limited solos I am speaking of. It's the EXACT harp solo, lick for lick on 95% of his playing. I agree with the ethos of your statement, but some variety seems vital imo. Steak diners are GREAT! But if eaten everyday, steak becomes benign and tastless , no matter how well served or presented.
Last Edited by CarlA on Feb 26, 2015 3:12 PM
You should check out his concert DVD from 1970. It is in black and white so you'll have to deal with that. He enters the stage on all fours. LOL! ---------- snakes in Snohomish
