Customer Reviews

Wolf Tracks: A Tribute to Howlin' Wolf

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am shocked at how bad this CD is. While most tribute albums stink, this one is especially bad. You would think that it would be better, much better, than it is with some of the names on board. Not only does it lack any and all enthusiasm and bite, some of the artists try to unsuccessfully emulate the Wolf. With the exception of a couple of acceptable cuts this is no tribute. I am a huge Hubert Sumlin fan, but it is amazing that Sumlin can sound so weak doing his own material. His usually powerful and exciting playing has all but vanished on these recordings. It sounds almost like blues lite. The Debbie Davies cut is unlistenable. Frankly, I am shocked most by Cub Koda's horrible treatment of "Riding In The Moonlight." For a guy whose blues knowledge and taste is usually impeccable, Cub should have passed on this mess knowing that the only reason they wanted him on the CD is to get a favorable AMG review...shame, shame, shame my friend. When I want to hear a Wolf tune, I think I'll stick to the master himself.

This is my first of his work (after hearing him on the Cadillac Records movie). It has great sound and songs, came at a great price with free shipping and received it quickly. Highly recommend it!

Howlin' Wolf often imitated and why not it is all part of doin' Blues. So copy one of the best men of the Blues. So you have all his Vinyls CD's etc. why not see what his peers think of him and the Tribute will do that for you. Saddle My Pony with a lonesome Harp in the back ground what a way to kick off the CD. So ya think only guys want to do some Howlin' check cut 2 with Christine Ohlman. The Little Red Rooster be here also. Cut 4 will have ya dancin' with some hot Harp. Hey look I ain't gonna write about every cut I want to do some listenin'. Cut 13 Lucinda Williams Come To Me Baby will make ya want more and there is more. If you have a computer fotos of Howlin Wolf which are on the CD and worth the price of the CD Tribute. Now I'm starting to sound like Ron P. but there are more fotos of the people that made the CD like James Cotton blowin' his Harp. There is a video surprise also. Anyway I wish I could have given the CD more than just 5 stars. G Hanes from the Blue Wave Radio Show on KECG 88.1 / 97.7 on Sat 7 to 9 AM yes AM when it is really Blue out. Also played on Single's Cafe 5 to 6 PM Sunday. In the East Bay CA.

The presence of original Wolf musicians like Hubert Sumlin, Henry Gray, and Eddie Shaw is primarily what keeps this "tribute" in the realm of music. Several tracks have the feel of in-concert Wolf circa 1967, and one of them is great: "Killing Floor," sung by Wolf's post-Willie-Johnson lead guitarist, Hubert Sumlin. I had considered giving the CD five stars on account of this one track; then I had considered giving the CD one star based on Lucinda Williams' atrocious "Come to Me Baby," an utterly contrived piece of fake-blues of the type often heard on car commercials and/or NPR. I wonder if Williams has even heard the original side in question. Doesn't sound like it. Williams' journey into space notwithstanding, the CD's "guest" musicians mostly behave themselves, though why in the heck couldn't Telarc have allowed Sumlin, et al. to carry the musical load by themselves, seeing as how they are eminently qualified to do so? Not the mess it could have been, which may constitute high praise for a "tribute" CD.