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Tuesday 29 November 2011

"I Miss You” by HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (2010 Big Break Records (BBR) 'Expanded Edition' CD Remaster with Four Bonus Tracks) - A Review by Mark Barry...




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"…Yesterday I Had The Blues…"

Released October 2010 in the UK - this CD reissue of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ 1972 classic debut album “I Miss You” on Philadelphia International is a peach - properly fabulous Seventies Soul - and its bolstered up with 4 excellent bonus cuts too.

Here are the sensual details for "I Miss You" by HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES on Big Break Records CDBBR 0018 (Barcode 5013929031821) - an 'Expanded Edition' CD that plays out as follows (51:49 minutes):

1. I Miss You [Full Album Version]
2. Ebony Woman
3. Yesterday I Had The Blues
4. If You Don’t Know Me By Now [Side 2]
5. Be For Real
6. Let Me Into Your World
7. Let It Be You
Tracks 1 to 7 are the album "I Miss You" released September 1972 in the USA on Philadelphia International KZ 31648 and February 1973 in the UK on CBS Records S 65350 as "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes" (with the same track list). It was reissued again in 1974 as “Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes” on Philadelphia International S PIR 65934 in the UK.

BONUS TRACKS:
8. I Miss You (Part 1) (7" Single Edit Version)
9. Yesterday I Had The Blues (7" Single Edit Version)
10. Be For Real (7" Single Edit Version)
11. If You Don't Know Me By Now (Live In San Francisco, 1973) - this version (featuring Teddy Pendergrass) first appeared on the 2004 Legacy reissue of the album as a previously unreleased bonus track

At the time of release the album produced 3 singles in the USA and 2 in the UK with an album track edit of "Be For Real" later used as a B-side in 1975. There were also reissues of the two big hits "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and "I Miss You (Part 1)" in 1974 and 1975 on both sides of the pond. This reissue will allow fans to sequence on CD all of these 7" single tracks for the first time:

USA:
1. I Miss You (Part 1) b/w (Part 2)
(May 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3516)
2. If You Don't Know Me By Now b/w Let Me Into Your World
(September 1972, Philadelphia International ZS7 3520
 - also issued on Epic 8453 with a Picture Sleeve)
3. Yesterday I Had The Blues b/w Ebony Woman
(March 1973, Philadelphia International KS7 3525)
4. Hope That We Can Be Together Soon b/w Be For Real
(October 1975, Philadelphia International ZS8 3569)
5. If You Don't Know Me By Now b/w I Miss You (Part 1)
(1975 Reissue on Philadelphia International ZS8 3752)

UK:
1. If You Don't Know Me By Now b/w Le Me Into Your World
(January 1973, CBS Records CBS S 8496)
2. I Miss You (Part One) b/w (Part Two)
(April 1973, CBS Records S CBS 8291)
3. If You Don't Know Me By Now b/w Let Me Into Your World
(1974 reissue on Philadelphia International S PIR 2210)

Some history on the original LP is needed. The title of this release and its artwork will seem unusual even to the most ardent of soul fans - that's because this BBR CD reissue cleverly uses the original US album artwork for the first time. The story goes like this - released in August 1972 as "I Miss You" with the smiley faces cover presented here - the breakthrough single "If You Don't Know Me By Now" finally charted big in October of that year and was essentially the beginning of success for Gamble and Huff's heavily subsidized Philadelphia International label. The torch ballad's classy soulful feel caught the public's attention and affections immediately - eventually rising to Number 1 on the US R'n'B charts (it reached No 9 in the UK Pop charts in January 1973 also). On the back of this success both nationally and internationally - and to present a more sophisticated front - the album's name was changed to simply "Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes". The reissue however (released November 1972 using the same US catalogue number) came in a new sleeve - the far-better and now familiar 'blue' photo artwork where the boys stand in classier suits and stare out at us in a more sombre and soulful way. The 'blue' sleeve artwork (which the British issue only ever used) is featured on the inside flap of the booklet. It's a nice touch...spot-checking the original....

The 12-page booklet has an informative and detailed essay on the album and the beginning of the Philadelphia International label by STUART WEST. In between text is pictures of US 45's, band photos and full discography info. It's very well done and the jewel case is one of those new rounded-corner affairs - very tasty. But the really great news is the SOUND...

As with other BBR releases - this remaster uses the 'original tapes' and has been carried out by WAYNE A. DICKSON at the BBR Studios. The results are wonderful. I've had the 2004 Legacy issue to have the music - but this transfer is 'so' much better. There is slight hiss on the opener "I Miss You" but it's absolutely negligible because once into the lengthy ballad - the AUDIO IS GORGEOUS. And of course the virtually uncredited presence of TEDDY PENDERGRASS on Lead Vocals lifts the Gamble & Huff songs and lush production values into the stratosphere (six of the 7 songs are penned by them). His monologue on "Be For Real" about social inequality and inner city divides - feels very Marvin Gaye circa "What's Going On" - but with that Philly string sound thrown in.

In fact it should be mentioned that two of the 3 songs on Side 1 - the big smoochers "I Miss You" and "Yesterday I Had The Blues" (lyrics above) - are 'Full Album Versions' which stretch out to 8:39 and 7:33 minutes respectively. For me, they've always overstayed their welcome a bit too much - so it's a blast to get their 7" single edits for the first time as bonus tracks. They are so lovely - and without the overkill of the LP versions. 

So there you have it - another winner in an impressive cannon of reissues for Big Break Records. Fans of the band and the Philly Sound will need to own this. And from here you go straight to the albums "Black And Blue" (1973) and "Wake Up Everybody" (1975) - two more gems from that extraordinarily creative team and time period (see reviews).

To sum up - I'm glad to say that the dedication in the liner notes by BBR staff to their Soul heroes - Harold Melvin and Teddy Pendergrass - is genuine - and Big Break have honoured their musical legacy with this superb sounding CD…

PS: Other Big Break Records (BBR) CD Remasters I’ve reviewed:
1. Is It Still Good To Ya – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1978)
2. Stay Free – ASHFORD and SIMPSON (1979)
3. Central Heating – HEATWAVE (1977)
4. Hot Property - HEATWAVE (1979)
5. Candles - HEATWAVE (1980)
6. Turnin' On - HIGH INERGY (1977)
7. Harvest For The World - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1976)
8. Go For Your Guns - THE ISLEY BROTHERS (1977)
9. In The Heart – KOOL & THE GANG (1983)
10. I Hope We Get To Love On Time - MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS (1976)
11.  I Miss You - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1972) [known as "Harold Melvin The Blue Notes" in the UK]
12. Black & Blue - HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES (1973)
13. Love Is The Message - MFSB (1973)
14. Universal Love – MFSB (1975)
15. All The Faces Of... - BUDDY MILES (1974)
16. For The First Time – STEPHANIE MILLS (1975)
17. I Can See Clearly Now - JOHNNY NASH (1972)
18. In Philadelphia - O'JAYS (1969)
19. Back Stabbers - O'JAYS (1972)
20. Ship Ahoy - O'JAYS (1973)
21. Down To Love Town – THE ORIGINALS (1977)
22. Ebony Woman - BILLY PAUL (1970 and 1973)
23. 360 Degrees Of Billy Paul - BILLY PAUL (1972)
24. War Of The Gods - BILLY PAUL (1973)
25. Platinum Hook – PLATINUM HOOK (1978)
26. Love For What It Is - ANITA POINTER (of The Pointer Sisters) (1987)
27. Live: Stompin’ At The Savoy – RUFUS and CHAKA KHAN (1983)
28. Summernights – SILVER CONVENTION (1977)
29. Smoked Sugar - SMOKED SUGAR (1975)
30. Spinners – SPINNERS (1973)
31. Soul Master – EDWIN STARR (1968)
32. Involved - EDWIN STARR (1971)
33. Switch - SWITCH (1978)
34. Watercolors – THE WATERS (1980)
35. Just As I Am - BILL WITHERS (1971)
36. Heartbeats – YARBROUGH & PEOPLES (1983)

Thursday 24 November 2011

“Third Star”. A Review Of The 2011 Film Now On DVD.


"...Third Star On The Left...Straight On 'Til Morning..."

The affection afforded this British movie by other UK reviewers is absolutely on the money - "Third Star" is a superbly realised little film with a huge beating heart. I was very moved...

The story goes like this - James' lifelong but hapless pals decide that one last adventure will be a hoot and morale booster for their mate who is dying from an incurable disease - so they drag his three-wheeler chair loaded up with tents, drug suplies and a potted tree they will plant at journey's end - across fields, forest and coastal terrain. Their destination is Barafundle Bay - a stunning, secluded inlet in Wales that James adores. And you can see it in James' face too. He thinks that if he can just get there 'intact' - everything will be all right somehow. But of course nothing goes to plan and despite the odd belly-laugh along the way, the journey tests their friendship and loyalties to the absolute limit...

First up - praise has to go to HATTIE DALTON for her warmth and steady Direction in what could have been awfully cheesy material that's been done to bits too many times before. She's given this buddy-buddy story a lightness of touch that feels real and isn't forced. In fact, the constant wit and pranks reflect just how guys are when they're in real emotional turmoil - downright childish even. Kudos should also go to the four male leads who had to gel together convincingly, muck in on the arduous trek and physically brave the coastal weather - none of which can have been easy - or in the case of the freezing Irish sea - deeply unpleasant. And when the reality of their friend's terminal illness slowly begins to kick in and intrude on their 'fun' - they're skills as good actors make you 'feel' the heaviness of what their characters are all trying to block out.

Principal lead Benedict Cumberbatch has many fans - and on the strength of his acting chops both here and on "Sherlock" (the UK TV series) - it's easy to see why. His James is a demanding lead-role - a frustrated 29-year old who is being eaten-alive by cancer. His longing to live - to have more time - to realise at least some of his dreams - are always at the surface - and you ache for him as he slips in and out of a morphine-induced stupor that is numbing his escalating physical agony. As well as the pain - James has to also contend with his squabbling, tetchy pals - who are trying to be cool about it all but are freaked out inside and increasingly awkward with his now impending loss.

His fellow travellers consist of Adam Robertson as the witty and yet dependable Bill, Tom Burke as the needy but sincere Davy and JJ Feild as the handsome devil-may-care Miles (surely a new Jude Law in the making). They will even encounter Hugh Bonneville (of Downton Abbey fame) as a nutty Beachcomber looking for rare Star Wars toys. The dialogue is playful, smart and confrontational when it's needed. And then they're faced with the ultimate true-friendship decision - but can any or all of them - actually go through with it? Even with this much sadness at its core and end, "Third Star" remains hopeful - a sign of a great film rather than just a good one.

EXTRAS include a brief 'Making Of' and two shorts by Hattie Dalton called "The Banker" and "One Of Those Days". The only real let down for me is that it's on DVD only - and not BLU RAY - where all that great camera work would surely shine even more.

There are moments in "Third Star" when you genuinely ache for James' loss - when you hurt at the arbitrary cruelty of life - snubbing out one person, but letting another live. This is a very good movie - one that celebrates life and makes you think about it too.

Put it high on your rental/to buy list...

Tuesday 22 November 2011

"Smokestack Lightning – The Complete Chess Masters 1951-9160" by HOWLIN' WOLF (2011 Hip-O Select 4CD Book Set - Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...


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"…Well Don't You Hear Me Cryin’…"

This rather lovely 'book-shaped' set is the first in a series of CD retrospectives documenting Chester Arthur Burnette (his real name) and his stay at the legendary Blues label 'Chess'. There's an awful lot of Howlin' Wolf to document here, so let's get to the details...

Released Monday 21 November 2011 in the UK (September 2011 in the USA) on Hip-O Select/Geffen/Universal B0015309-2 (Barcode 602527627342) - "Smokestack Lightning - The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960" by HOWLIN’ WOLF is a 97-Track 4CD Book Set and breaks down as follows (Discography follows):

Disc 1, 26 Tracks, 1951 to 1953 (73:08 minutes):
1. Moanin' At Midnight (1951 78”, Chess 1479, A-side)
2. How Many More Years (Alternate)
3. How Many More Years (1951 78”, Chess 1479, B-side)
4. The Wolf's At Your Door (Howlin' For My Baby) (1952 78”, Chess 1497, B-side)
5. California Boogie
6. Smile At Me
7. Howlin’ Wolf Boogie (1952 78”, Chess 1497, A-side)
8. California Blues No. 1
9. Look-A-Here Baby
10. Worried All The Time (1952 78”, Chess 1515, B-side)
11. Getting’ Old And Grey (1952 78”, Chess 1510, B-side)
12. Mr. Highway Man (1952 78”, Chess 1510, A-side)
13. Everybody’s In The Mood
14. Color And Kind
15. Bluebird (Blues)
16. Saddle My Pony (1952 78”, Chess 1515, A-side)
17. Dorothy Mae (Alternate Take)
18. Dorothy Mae
19. Sweet Woman (a/k/a I Got A Woman)
20. Well That’s All Right
21. Decoration Day (Blues)
22. Oh Red (1952 78” and 7” [1st release on 45], Chess 1528, A-side)
23. My Last Affair (1952 78” and 7”, Chess 1528, B-side)
24. I’ve Got A Woman
25. Just My Kind
26. Work For Your Money
[Notes: Tracks 2, 5, 6, 17, Previously Unreleased In The USA
Tracks 8, 9, 13, 14, 18 and 21 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349
Tracks 15 and 20 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332
Tracks 24 to 26 are 1953 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP “More Real Folk Blues” on Chess LP 1512]

Disc 2, 25 Tracks, 1953 to 1956 (73:42 minutes):
1. I’m Not Joking
2. Mama Died And Left Me
3. All Night Boogie (All Night Long) (1953 78” and 7”, Chess 1557, A-side)
4. I Love My Baby (1953 78” and 7”, Chess 1557, B-side)
5. Highway My Friend
6. Hold Your Money
7. Streamline Woman
8. California Blues No. 2
9. Stay Here Til My Baby Comes Back
10. Crazy About You Baby
11. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1566, A-side)
12. You Gonna Wreck My Life (No Place To Go) (Alternate Take) (1959 7”, Chess 1744, B-side)
13. Neighbors
14. I’m The Wolf
15. Rockin’ Daddy (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1566, B-side)
16. Baby How Long (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1575, A-side)
17. Evil (Is Goin’ On) (1954 78” and 7”, Chess 1575, B-side)
18. I’ll Be Around (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1584, A-side)
19. Forty Four (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1584, B-side)
20. Who Will Be Next (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1593, A-side)
21. I Have A Little Girl (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1593, B-side)
22. Come To Me Baby (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1607, A-side)
23. Don’t Mess With My Baby (1955 78” and 7”, Chess 1607, B-side)
24. Smokestack Lightning (1956 78” and 7”, Chess 1618, A-side)
25. You Can’t Be Beat (1956 78” and 7”, Chess 1618, B-side)
26. I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) (1956 78" and 7", Chess 1632, A-side)
27. So Glad (1956 78" and 7", Chess 1632, B-side)
[Notes: Tracks 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349
Tracks 2, 7, 10, and first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332
Tracks 13, 14 and are 1954 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP “More Real Folk Blues” on Chess LP 1512]

Disc 3, 25 Tracks, 1956 to 1958 (76:41 minutes):
1. Break Of Day
2. The Natchez Burning (1959 7”, Chess 1744, A-side)
3. Going Back Home (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1648, A-side)
4. Bluebird
5. My Life
6. You Ought To Know
7. Who’s Been Talkin (1960 7”, Chess 1750, A-side)
8. Tell Me (1960 7”, Chess 1750, B-side)
9. Somebody In My Home (Alternate Take)
10. Somebody In My Home (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1668, A-side)
11. Nature (Takes 1/4/6)
12. Nature (Alternate Take)
13. Nature (1957 78” and 7”, Chess 1668, B-side)
14. Walk To Camp Hall
15. Poor Boy (Alternate Take)
16. Poor Boy (1958 78” and 7” [Last 78” on Chess], Chess 1679, B-side)
17. My Baby Told Me
18. Sittin’ On The Top Of The World (1958 78” and 7” [Last 78” on Chess], Chess 1679, A-side)
19. I Didn’t Know
20. I Better Go Now (Howlin’ Blues) (Alternate)
21. Howlin’ Blues (I’m Going Away) (1959 7”, Chess 1726, A-side)
22. I Better Go Now (Multiple Takes) (1959 7”, Chess 1726, B-side)
23. I Didn’t Know (1958 7” [1st 7” only release], Chess 1695, B-side)
24. Moaning For My Baby (Midnight Blues) (1958 7” [1st 7” only release], Chess 1695, A-side)
25. Moaning For My Baby (Midnight Blues) (Takes 3 & 4)
[Notes: Tracks 1 first released on the 1993 US 4CD Box Set by Various Artists called “Chess Blues” on Chess CHD4-9340
Tracks 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 25 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349
Tracks 9, 11, 19, 20, 22* and 25* Previously Unreleased In The USA
[Tracks 22 except includes Chess single 1726; Track 25 except includes Alternate Take on “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” 2CD set on Chess CHD2-9349]]

Disc 4, 19 Tracks, 1958 to 1960 (68:50 minutes):
1. I’m Leaving You (Alternate Take)
2. I’m Leaving You (Takes 7-10)
3. I’m Leaving You (1959 7”, Chess 1712, A-side)
4. Can’t Put Me Out (Alternate)
5. Can’t Put Me Out (Alternate)
6. (You) Can’t Put Me Out (Includes Additional Dialogue)
7. Change My Way (1959 7”, Chess 1712, B-side)
8. Getting Late
9. I’ve Been Abused (Takes 4-12)
10. I’ve Been Abused (1959 7”, Chess 1735, B-side)
11. Howlin’ For My Baby (Takes 1-7)
12. Howlin’ For My Darling (Or Baby) (1960 7”, Chess 1762, B-side)
13. Wolf In The Mood (Instrumental) [Includes Outtakes & Dialogue]
14. My People’s Gone
15. Mr. Airplane Man (Takes 1-2) [Plus Outtakes & Dialogue]
16. Mr. Airplane Man (1959 7”, Chess 1735, A-side)
17. Wang-Dang-Doodle (1961 7”, Chess 1777, A-side)
18. Back Door Man (1961 7” (recorded 1960), Chess 1777, B-side)
19. Spoonful (1960 7”, Chess 1762, A-side)
[Notes: Tracks 1, 2, 5, 9 and 11 Previously Unreleased In The USA
Track 4 first released on the 1982 US 2LP set “Chess Blues Rarities” on Chess CH2-9230
Track 15 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set “Howlin’ Wolf – The Chess Box” on Chess CD3-9332
Tracks 6, 8, 13 (with Outtakes Dialogue) and 14 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog” on Chess CD2-9349]

The hardback book packaging matches the look and feel of the MUDDY WATERS "Hoochie Coochie Man..." Hip-O Select 2CD set of 2004 (not as wide, but it's taller). "Smokestack Lightning..." has an embossed matt cardboard effect on the front cover with similarly textured pages within and is a non-numbered worldwide Limited Edition of 5000 copies. The 42-page booklet inside has an essay on Wolf (Pages 3 to 9) by PETER GURALNICK who is the award-winning Author of 2 books on Sam Cooke and Elvis Presley - with a forthcoming Biography on Sam Phillips. In fact Guralnick's entry here is a highly personal interview with SAM PHILLIPS on how the legendary and visionary Producer of Sun Records first tried to record the great bluesman and his band in 1951. Phillips warmly remembers the sheer impact of Wolf's powerhouse of a voice and physical presence (6' 3", 275 Pounds). Sam is full of passion and awe for the man who sang "...with his damn soul..." - bowled over even now - some 60 years after the event.

Not to be outdone, the liner notes on the project itself by DICK SHUMAN on Pages 11 to 19 are equally entertaining as they concentrate on the key musicians and recording dates. I particularly love the page that pictures "The New 708 Club" card invite for the Chicago Blues Club that tells you - you can see Muddy Waters on Mon, Wed and Thurs with Otis Rush on Fri, Sat and Sun but Howlin' Wolf is only available on Tues! Now there's a week of Blues gigs I want to attend! Pages 20 to 42 picture Trade Adverts, Black & White photos of his group, photos of his rare "Moanin' In The Moonlight" album from 1958 (front and rear) and end on a full track-by-track Discography. The 4CDs are held in individual leaves at the back - each disc colour scheme reflecting the original shellac and vinyl labels (Blue and White for the 78's - Blue and Silver for the famous Chess 45's).

As with so much of the enormous Chess catalogue - the remastering has been carried out by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON - a man with over 900 mastering and audio restoration credits to his name. This stuff is ROUGH - brutal even in places - and the remaster brings out that raw power. Some of the alternate takes are very crackly - but he has allowed them to breath and there's huge presence in every track.  Most of the songs on Disc 1 to 3 are self-penned like the staggering "Smoke Stack Lightning" (lyrics above), but by the time we get to the tail end of Disc 4 the catalyst of WILLIE DIXON arrives - sending everything into the stratosphere ("Spoonful" and "Wang Dang Doodle"). The combo of Wolf's voice and Dixon's witty tunes will undoubtedly dominate Volume 2.

Niggles - the packaging is lovely, but it's over too soon. Very few 78's or 45's are pictured and you can't help thinking that if Bear Family or Ace had handled this - it would be twice the size and truly beautiful in every way. And musically - the repetition of tracks and takes is hard to take - so a "Best Of" would suffice for the merely curious (or even a Willie Dixon set with HW tracks on it). Die-hard fans, however, of Howlin' Wolf, Chess Records and the Blues in general will have to own this.

To sum up - despite the slightly disappointing packaging - this is lovely evocation of a genuine force of nature - a singer who shaped so much of what we listen to and adore to this day. And if you want to know why so many white rock guys worshipped at his feet and regularly tried to kiss the hem of his garment - here is the place to start...

Like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Muddy Waters - how I wished I'd seen this giant live...

HOWLIN' WOLF DISCOGRAPHY referencing 
"Smokestack Lightning - The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960"
2011 4CD Book Set on Hip-O Select/Geffen/Universal B0015309-2

Layout: [1/7] = Disc 1, Track 7 - [2/1] = Disc 2, Track 1 etc
(Year Of Release, Label & Catalogue Number)

HOWLIN' WOLF CHESS 78"s ONLY:
1. Moanin' At Midnight [1/1] b/w How Many More Years [1/3] (1951, Chess 1479)
2. Howlin' Wolf Boogie [1/7] b/w The Wolf Is At Your Door [1/4] (1952, Chess 1497)
3. Mr. Highway Man [1/12] b/w Getting' Old And Grey [1/11] (1952, Chess 1510)
4. Saddle My Pony [1/16] b/w Worried All The Time [1/10] (1952, Chess 1515)

HOWLING WOLF CHESS 78"s and 7"s:
5. Oh Red [1/22] b/w My Last Affair [1/23] (1952, Chess 1528) – his first US 7” single on Chess
6. All Night Boogie (All Night Long) [2/3] b/w I Love My Baby [2/4] (1953, Chess 1557)
7. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) [2/11] b/w Rockin' Daddy [2/15] (1954, Chess 1566)
8. Baby How Long [2/16] b/w Evil (Is Goin' On) [2/17] (1954, Chess 1575)
9. I'll Be Around [2/18] b/w Forty Four [2/19] (1955, Chess 1584)
10. Who Will Be Next [2/20] b/w I Have A Little Girl [2/21] (1955, Chess 1593)
11. Come To Me Baby [2/22] b/w Don't Mess With My Baby [2/23] (1955, Chess 1607)
12. Smoke Stack Lightning [2/24] b/w You Can't Be Beat [2/25] (1956, Chess 1618)
13. I Asked For Water [2/26] b/w So Glad (1956, Chess 1632) [2/27]
14. Going Back Home [3/3] b/w My Life [3/5] (1957, Chess 1648)
15. Somebody In My Home [3/10] b/w Nature [3/13] (1957, Chess 1668)
16. Sittin' On Top Of The World [3/18] b/w Poor Boy [3/16] (1958, Chess 1679)

HOWLIN' WOLF CHESS 7"s ONLY:
17. Moaning For My Baby [3/24] b/w I Didn't Know [3/23] (1958, Chess 1695)
18. I'm Leavin' You [4/3] b/w Change My Way [4/7] (1959, Chess 1712)
19. Howlin' Blues (I'm Going Away) [3/21] b/w I Better Go Now [3/22] (1959, Chess 1726)
20. Mr. Airplane Man [4/16] b/w I've Been Abused [4/10] (1959, Chess 1735)
21. The Natchez Burning [3/2] b/w You Gonna Wreck My Life (No Place To Go) (Alternate Take) [2/12] (1959, Chess 1744)
22. Spoonful [4/19] b/w Howlin' For My Darling (Or Baby) [4/12] (1960, Chess 1762)
23. Wang-Dang-Doodle [4/17] b/w Back Door Man [4/18] (1961, Chess 1777)

HOWLIN' WOLF CHESS LPs:
"Moanin' In The Moonlight" - 1958 USA MONO album on Chess LP-1434
Side 1:
1. Moanin' At Midnight [1/1]
2. How Many More Years [1/3]
3. Smokestack Lightning [2/24]
4. Baby How Long [2/15]
5. No Place To Go [2/11]
6. All Night Boogie [2/3]
Side 2:
1. Evil [2/17]
2. I'm Leavin' You [4/3]
3. Moanin' For My Baby [3/24]
4.  I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) [2/26]
5. Forty-Four [2/19]
6. Somebody In My Home [3/10]

"Howlin' Wolf" – January 1962 USA MONO LP on Chess LP 1469
Side 1:
1. Shake For Me
2. The Red Rooster
3. You'll Be Mine
4. Who's Been Talkin' [3/7]
5. Wang Dang Doodle
6. Little Baby
Side 2:
1. Spoonful
2. Goin’ Down Slow
3. Down In The Bottom
4. Back Door Man
5. Howlin’ For My Baby [4/12]
6. Tell Me [3/8]
Tracks 5 on Side 1 and Tracks 1 and 4 on Side 2 recorded June 1960
Tracks 1, 2 and 6 on Side 1 and Track 3 on Side 2 recorded May 1961
Tracks 3 on Side 1 and Track 2 on Side 2 recorded December 1961
The other three cuts are from Fifties sessions as covered by Discs 3 and 4 of this Book Set

"The Real Folk Blues" - January 1966 USA MONO album on Chess LP 1502
Side 1:
1. Killing Floor
2. Louise
3. Poor Boy [3/16]
4. Sittin' On Top Of The World [3/18]
5. Nature [3/13]
6. My Country Sugar Mama
Side 2:
1. Tail Dragger
2. Three Hundred Pounds Of Joy
3. The Natchez Burnin' [3/2]
4. Build For Comfort
5. Ooh Baby Hold Me
6. Tell Me What I've Done
Tracks 1, 2 and 6 on Side 1 were recorded August 1964
Track 1 on Side 2 recorded September 1962
Tracks 2 and 4 on Side2 recorded August 1963
Tracks 5 and 6 on Side 2 recorded August 1965 – the other four songs on the LP are Fifties recordings covered by Disc 3 of this 4CD set as noted above.

"More Real Folk Blues" – January 1967 USA MONO LP on Chess LP 1512
Side 1:
1. Just My Kind [1/25]
2. I've Got A Woman [1/24]
3. Work For Your Money [1/26]
4. I'll Be Around [2/18]
5. You Can't Be Beat [2/25]
6. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) [2/11]
Side 2:
1. I Love My Baby [2/4]
2. Neighbors [2/13]
3. I'm The Wolf [2/14]
4. Rockin' Daddy [2/15]
5. Who Will Be Next [2/20]
6. I Have A Little Girl [2/21]

See also my review for the March 2002 CD reissue that combines the two Real Folk LPs onto 1CD Remaster - "The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues" by HOWLIN’ WOLF on Universal/MCA/Chess 088 122 820-2 (Barcode 008811282028).

INDEX - Entries and Artist Posts in Alphabetical Order