Howlin' For My Baby Review

07/13/2005 4:45 AM, AMG


Producer Sam Phillips recorded several sides with bluesman Howlin' Wolf in Memphis before Wolf moved to Chicago in the early '50s under contract to Chess (which had already released some of Wolf's recordings with Phillips). This collection features some (but not all) of those sides: three songs released by Chess -- "My Last Affair," "Oh Red," and "Howlin' for My Baby" (which was retitled "The World Is at Your Door") -- and 16 that were unreleased at the time. These early recordings do not represent the peak of Wolf's creativity, but the material is still worthwhile and provides an interesting glimpse into the early development of his unique sound. Much can be heard here: the influences of Charlie Patton, Robert Johnson, and Sonny Boy Williamson I (the source of the songs "Bluebird Blues" and "Decoration Day Blues"); Phillips' experiment with instrumentation (e.g., the trombone on "Oh Red"); and the fierce bellow of a voice that characterized Wolf's subsequent recordings. So while this is not the perfect introduction to Wolf, a collection of his greatest hits, or even a complete overview of his work with Phillips, it is still a good listen. ~ Todd Kristel, All Music Guide