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London Howling Wolf Sessions

I just picked up a 1989 vinyl reissue of this record and I dig it. Ordinarily I can't stand either Clapton or Winwood, but you can't argue with the rest of the band and I am a huge Wolf fan. With him singing it almost has a third-stream thing going on, a little Pigpen-Blues Dead sounding. Plus, its actually a pretty good recording. The one thing that's a bit lame is that whoever edited the record cut off any jamming at the end of the tunes. My question is, is there an expanded vinyl reissue with the full track length, or even an expanded cd? For that matter, are there any additional tracks not included on the original album?
grimace
11 responses Add your response
grimace OP
624 posts
 
I picked up a copy of Muddy Waters Plays Big Bill Broonzy on Chess yesterday. Its a 1986 reissue of an early 60's date. I was very surprised by how good the recording is. Certainly equal to any contemporary RVG jazz recording and the stereo imaging is better.
chashmal
605 posts
 
Wolf, Sonnyboy Williamson, Muddy, Little Walter, Elmore James: one of the true a highlights of American music. Tragic lives those guys had with very little reward until it was too late, and for Elmo none at all.

I think the CD's really can't do it justice. Only the vinyl does it for me, and the original 45's in particular. The 70's reissue LP's can be great too.
grimace OP
624 posts
 
I'd have to go with Chashmal on this one. There is a huge difference between a real Chicago backup band and a bunch of enthusiastic, but ultimately lilly-white british kids.

I listened to a couple of all-American Chess recordings and there's just no comparison.
siliab
362 posts
 
While I agree that this recording is a pale (pun intended) reflection of the original Chess sides, the truth is that the Wolf was ailing during these sessions. While much less funky and hard hitting than the original crew his accompaniment is able if plodding. The bigger problem was that Chester sounded like he was mailing it in.
chashmal
605 posts
 
IMO, the British bluesmen and their influence only drag Wolf down.
Give me the mid 50's-early 60's Chess material over that ANYTIME.
grimace OP
624 posts
 
Oh, its definately an attempt to get white suburban kids, many of whom thought Eric Clapton WAS the blues, to hear some originals. It is a shame that the greats like Muddy and Wolf didn't get that recognition on their own.

Funny story: When I got married my wife was looking for a wedding song and she came to me with this "great" Art Garfunkle song, "I only Have Eyes For You" under the assumption that Art had written it. Yeesh! I have a new wife now btw.
casey33
260 posts
 
What was actually going on was Marshall Chess trying to get more white kids to buy blues records."Electric Mud" and "This is Howlin' Wolf's new record...." are also examples of the same sales ploy.These LPs are all from the period when Marshall took over from the originators Phil and Leonard Chess.These LPs are a pathetic attempt to make the artists more hip and with it,in an attempt to cash in on the youth market.
jdlepera's avatar
jdlepera
234 posts
 
Muddy Waters also has a London Session album..."clearly something was going on" ... with Clapton and the gang pulling their heros together.......

Yes something was going on,Clapton and others were turning on Americans to their own music.That Music was called The "Blues".After British Musicians introduced American Blues Musicians to America They could actually make a good living in the USA and Europe for which many were very thankfull.Ask BB King.We also know who Robert Johnson is. JD
grimace OP
624 posts
 
EAGLES!!!??? I hear McNabb wears dresses and plays with dolls.

Go Steelers.
chadlesko
94 posts
 
Grimace...I too am a huge fan of Wolf's...in fact the London sessions was the first album to turn me on to Wolf.

I have what I believe is the original pressing...70's...no date on the album. There are 13 tracks if you include the intro of "Little Red Rooster" as a seperate track from the title song.

Muddy Waters also has a London Session album...clearly something was going on with Clapton and the gang pulling their heros together.

In any regard, I do not think there is any long length LP out there...my album has songs cut short as well.

By the way...Go Eagles!
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,769 posts
 
There was a remastered, two cd set that came out a few years ago. CD Details .

Regards, Rich
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