Howlin' Wolf Live CD Preview

At a height of 6-feet-3-inches, and weighing in at almost 300 pounds, Chicago blues legend Howlin' Wolf was a heavyweight by any standard. Throughout the 1950s, the Wolf recorded a string of hits for labels like Sam Phillips' Sun Records, RPM and Crown. It was with Chess Records, however, that Wolf earned his legendary status as one of the greatest Chicago bluesmen, the bluesman recording for the label until his death in 1976.

On November 11, 2008 Acrobat Records will be releasing Howlin' Wolf's Rockin' the Blues: Live In Germany 1964. A document of a previously-unreleased performance that showcases the larger-than-life bluesman at the top of his game, Wolf is backed by a veritable all-star blues band that featured guitarist Hubert Sumlin, bassist Willie Dixon, pianist Sunnyland Slim, and drummer Clifton James.

Howlin' Wolf was in Europe during the fall of 1964, touring as part of the third American Folk Blues Festival along with Sonny Boy Williamson, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Sugar Pie DeSanto. Rockin' the Blues: Live In Germany 1964 includes raucous performances of classic Wolf blues like "Shake It for Me," "I Didn't Mean To Hurt Your Feelings," "Rockin' the Blues," "Howlin' for My Darling," and the Elmore James classic, "Dust My Broom."

Howlin' Wolf's 1964 European visit couldn't have come at a better time for the bluesman. The Rolling Stones had just scored a #1 hit with their cover of Wolf's "Little Red Rooster" a couple of weeks previous to this German performance and interest in Wolf's music was high. A few months later, Howlin' Wolf appeared on the American TV show Shindig, at the insistence of the Stones, who were scheduled to perform on the program.

Rockin' the Blues: Live In Germany 1964 will be a real treat for fans of classic Chicago blues, providing listeners with a strong performance from one of blues music's greatest artists.

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Photo courtesy Acrobat Records