Howlin Wolf / Moanin in the Moonlight

This reissue (which, unlike most of the MCA catalog, doesn't seem to have been updated since it's initial appearance in the late 80's) combines to classic LP's together. Both are essentially "best of" items, combining many great recordings Howlin' Wolf released in the 50's. There's a number of songs here that you've probably heard covered by other artists in later years. Both the Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones recorded Little Red Rooster (the Dead also frequently played Wang Dang Doodle and Smokestack Lightning), Cream turned Spoonful into one of their jamming vehicles, The Doors tackled Back Door Man, etc.Note that though it's stipulated in the liner notes that two songs had to be cut to keep this to a single CD release, all information from sites such as Discogs.com and AMG seem to suggest this isn't true. Both LP's appear in their full glory here, and EVERYONE should own this.

Great deal at just several bucks and you get two albums. Contains Howlin' Wolf's greatest work. Nobody sang like Howlin' Wolf and nobody has since. I'm a white boy, like apparently most Blues fans these days (that's another story). Being where I come from musically one thing I noticed is how much this stuff straight-up **rocks**. Yeah it is technically post-war Chicago electric Blues. Put whatever technically correct label ya want. It kicks ---. Sun Record founder Sam Phillips discovered Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ray Orbison, BB King, Jerry Lee Louis, Charlie Rich, and Howlin' Wolf. Phillips said Elvis was his *second* greatest discovery and Howlin' Wolf was his greatest. Sam Phillips: "When I heard Howlin' Wolf, I said, 'This is for me. This is where the soul of man never dies'. The greatest sight you could see would be Howlin' Wolf doing one of those sessions in my studio. God, what it would be worth to see the veins on his neck, and buddy there was nothing on his mind but that song. He sang with his damn soul!..."

The album is amazing, and only $24 on vinyl! What a deal. 180Gram, four records - I would have paid double for this. These records sound amazing, and it has a great - classic looking cover. Most importantly, this has so many great songs by the always stellar Howlin' Wolf. He has always been one of my favorites, and this has all of my favorite hits, and then some. A must buy for blues fans. Howlin' Wolf is one of the all-time greats, and this album incorporates all of his greatness!

A fantastic CD that combines two of the earliest Howlin' Wolf releases in one bargain-priced CD. I don't think the music needs any reviewing--Howlin' Wolf is one of the cornerstones of any beginner's blues collection, and these two albums are an excellent place to start. Like a lot of people in my generation, I was first turned on to Wolf through the "London Sessions" album with Clapton, Winwood and other start of the British blues-rock galaxy, and I still love that album, but these albums are the ones that those guys listened to before starting their own bands. Essential listening.

It's hard to over rate the impact these early HW recordings have had on rock and roll. As is well known HW and his contemporaries were hugely influential on the 60s giants like Hendrix, Clapton, the Stones, Led Zeppelin and John Mayall but countless other lesser known lights have also sprung from HW's fertile loins. Even now, 50 or so years later, these two platters still stand up to scrutiny. HW's voice is one of the most distinctive in modern music and he uses it to great effect on every track here. The lyrics are superb too, always lascivious, frequently laugh out loud funny. It's a stone classic in every way and anyone with even a remote interest in the evolution of rock music should own a copy. Also good for shaking your thang to... "We're gonna wang dang doodle ALL night long..!"

My dad truly enjoyed this for his Christmas gift! It was just like old times at home in the living room back home in Jackson MS! He played old records for my siblings & I as we danced around!

The pressing sounds really good once you turn the bass up on your system. All of the instruments and Howlin Wolf's vocals are all there in warm detail and are very nice to listen to. Some of the songs seem a little slowed down from other versions I have heard, and with good effect. A nice way to get this amazing music on vinyl.

A classic. A must for any collector of Howling Wolf/Chicago blues. If you are a fan of Howlin' Wolf you probably all ready have it, bit it's also a good start for someone interested in an introduction to Howlin' Wolf or a start to a larger collection or filling out a collection of Chicago blues that is perhaps heavy on Muddy Waters.

Having visited Tennessee on holiday a few years prior and visiting Sun Studios, MCA Studios and the County & Music Hall of Fame I eventually decided to investigate Howlin' Wolf. This was due in part to a friend playing me Smokestack Lightnin', and also because I knew that he heavily influenced two of my all-time favourite artists (Tom Waits and Clutch). It's easy to see why. The blues on display here is primal and raw in some instances, but still hugely memorable and catchy. The musicianship ain't bad either.This CD proved how great Chester Burnett (AKA Howlin' Wolf) truly was. I can imagine that watching him live must have been truly awesome; videos are readily available on Youtube that attest to his phenomenal stage presence.Anyway, on to the CD. As is mentioned in all the other reviews, this CD comprises of his first two LP releases (though I believe a few tracks have been sacrificed). Given that this disc contains the original recordings, the music does not have the immaculate sheen that those raised in the 90s and 2000s may have come to expect. However, in my opinion this does nothing to detract from the quality music. In fact in many ways it suits the dirty blues being played.Personally I prefer the first half of this CD, though I do enjoy it in its entirety. Particular highlights: shake for me, red rooster, who's been talkin', wang dang doodle, little baby, spoonful, howlin' for my darlin/baby, smokestack lightnin', evil.Highly recommended to those of us who enjoy the more rough and rugged side of the blues.

From the opening track which still sounds fresh, this is a glorious CD and a house favourite here. Wolf is THE bluesman and a lifelong entertainer who overcame unbelievable hardship to become a world-feted performer, yet he never forgot his roots and his original audience.Can't recommend it too highly. Magic.

Two classics in one double lp. Sound wise this is a great, clear print

Now I have a copy of the first ever LP I ever bought back in 1962 - excellent stuff from my favourite bluesman.

This album is crammed with classics that became the basis that modern music is derived from. I absolutely love it.