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In the last few years some of the best, most authentic-sounding blues being recorded on the West Coast is being cut in Kid Anderson's Greaseland studio in San Jose and this record that celebrates the Chess recordings of the great Howling' Wolf (Chester Burnett) is very much in that tradition. The album features songs sang by Tail Dragger, Henry Grey, John Blues Boyd, Alabama Mike, Terry Hanch and Lee Donald with backing from amongst others Kid Anderson, Chris James, Johnny Cat Soubrand and Rockin’ Johnny Burgin on guitars, Rick Estrin and Aki Kumar on harp, Jim Pugh, Lorenzo Farrell or Henry Grey on piano, Patrick Rynn, Mike Phillips, Vance Ehlers and Joe Kyle Jr. on bass and Alex Petterson, Omar Martin and June Core on drums.
As well as the music we also get Tail Dragger, Terry Hanch and John Blues Boyd speaking about their personal memories of Wolf. Taildragger (77 years old) took his stage name from a Howling' Wolf song and has spent his career doing similar sounding blues and he probably has the voice that sounds most like Wolf, albeit the older Wolf. John Blues Boyd is pianist Eddie Boyd's cousin and came to blues singing late in life but his voice is strong and clear (belying his 71 years of age) on his three classic Wolf songs, even if it doesn't have Wolf's grit and menace. One of my favourite tracks was "Little Red Rooster" with just 92 year old (!) one time Wolf pianist Henry Grey and Kid Anderson, not reminiscent of Wolf's version but very moving all the same. The other tracks all feature nice reminders of some of Wolf's most well-known songs with very authentic backing and great ensemble playing but to be perfectly honest no one that I've ever heard can duplicate the power, drive and intensity of Wolf's voice.
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Gerry Byron
Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on July 24, 2018Verified Purchase
