The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions

You will probably want more than one of these --- in the "Deluxe" version. That is the one to seek, as it has some cleaner & tuned re-mixes and some previously unreleased material. Get the Deluxe (or 2-disc) edition of this, the London Sessions of Howlin' Wolf ! It is one of those recording sessions that, to me, is difficult to really quantify the gravity of. A genuine masterpiece.It is that, indeed... a true masterpiece. Cue some of this on Spotify & listen for yourself. The last 4 songs on disc #1 of this 2-disc set are each magnificent, all by themselves. The last 3 songs on disc #1 (of 16 total songs on that disc,) are unbelievable! Those three last songs are not on the other "non-deluxe," single CD version of this release.Those three bonus tracks are from a "newly remixed" release called LONDON REVISITED, composed directly from the original multi-tracks. Disc 2 contains 12 tracks of previously unreleased material, w/alternate takes, remixes, alternate piano, etc., some dialog, too. Disc 2 is beyond easy description. It should grab you. A proper work of art it is. Listen to these discs a few times for yourself on some quality stereo equipment. Then tell me what.I think you'll really want more than one copy of this 2-CD version of The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions. A 5-star rating is not doing this justice. Review posted 9.22.2020.

Good recording of Howling Wolf performing his down to earth blues with an all English assembled members of star bands such as Rolling Stores, Traffic, incl. Eric Clapton and Ian Stewart etc. If you like blues this is a album to add to your collection.

I love this album, it holds much sentimentality for me. On the vinyl of this record, (that's what we had then) I first discovered Howlin Wolf and his music. This was one of the series of recordings produced by Marshall Chess, nephew of Phil Chess, who, with his brother Leonard, started Chess records.I was most attracted to the British rockers on the record because I was familiar with them.Eric Clapton, Stevie Winwood, Bill Wyman, and 19 year old Jeffrey Carp, (who died shortly after this session).were among those appearing on the album.Chess house musicians also contributed such as Phil Upchurch on bass and Lafayette Leaks on piano. The album is really good, in spite of much criticism heaped upon this album and the other Marshall Chess productions of the era, such as Fathers and Sons, which is great by the way, The London Sessions with Muddy Waters. Another of the series, Electric Mud, which featured a psychedelic, electric Muddy Waters was truly awful!

When the original London Howlin' Wolf Session album came out on I was there purchasing the 33rpm vinyl. It was great! I was a big Clapton fan and loved the blues in general. This "rarities" version adds to that session with material that didn't make the original album. I think this makes the picture much more complete.As other reviews described it's important to get the fuller historical perspective of the musical greats playing with Wolf who is a key figure influencing their own early musical development. Kind of a meeting of generations treated with a great deal of musical respect.While I like to additional material I can also see why it was left off the original release. But for me it brings additional enjoyment and lets me appreciate some of the context of the sessions that was not apparent on that original release.The original was a great album and this rarities edition just adds to that. I'm left feeling great after listening to it. Like going back and discovering there was a second CD in the original you somehow never noticed. It completes the journey while bringing it all back home.Gotta give the Rarities edition 5 stars.

This is a good blues album, but it aint the hard driving blues, south Chicago cant sit down stuff. since getting this album I triped across a very special set of albums: BB King with Bobby Blue Bland.The best single blues vocal in my opinion is Howling Wolf doing Smokestack Lightning. then comes about 5 Otis Redding numbers. BUT I totally forgot about Bobby Bland. He is as raw as Howlin Wolf. He only had one Big Hit, Turn On Your Love Light. But this joint effort with BB King (two separate albums actually) is over the top, with lots of live performance jive, and with BB King playing almost like a good rythm section, Bobby screams and snorts in his unique feral style. gotta love it. In comparison I rate the London Wolf at best 3.5 stars, and Bobby & BB Together for the First Time, and Together Again as solid five star, unforgettable blues.

Imagine the Rolling Stones as a rhythm section, Eric Clapton on lead guitar, and Stevie Winwood on keyboards. Heck, even you singing in your shower could sound good. Wang Dang Doodle is such a killer song, Clapton's guitar simply sings, and is so elegantly and tastefully done, you don't know its Clapton, but instinctively look at the CD notes to see who was playing those tastey licks!This vinyl record was one of my all time favorites. When it came out on CD and remastered with bonus tracks, I ignored the stupidly high price and took a leap of faith.If you like Clapton's blues guitar, Stevie Winwood's piano and the solid rhythm of the Rolling Stones (and who doesn't), you will love this album. I'd give it 5 stars, but I'm stingy with stars, so a 4 star it will have to be.

Any Blues lover has to have this in their collection!!

Great CD. I wanted the vinyl record however, Amazon wants to sell it for $80.00 way overpriced for a record they are still making copies of.

I bought this when it first came out and lost it when my whole collection of LP's was stolen in the late 70's. This recording really does stand up as a solid Howlin' Wolf album. The band is fine, no doubt helped along by the presence of Hubert Sumlin. Ringo Starr does a good job with his reading of "I Ain't Superstitious", the only track featuring him with Klaus Voorman on bass. This is one of the few remastered oldies where the inclusion of extras and out-takes is really worthwhile. Probably best known for the inclusion of Clapton's false start and attempt to convince the Wolf that he wouldn't know how to play "Red Rooster" which leads to an "Oh man, come on.." and a brief lesson in the phrasing followed by "All right, let's get on it."And "get on it" is just what they do.

This is an album that has been designed/compiled for folk who already have the main album in remastered form. It contains alternate versions of tracks that are already on the main straight release, some extra dialogue and three songs that failed to make the final cut.The playing throughout is of the highest order and listening to Howlin Wolf trying to teach Eric Clapton etc...is entertaining.Stellar cast - Howlin Wolf, Hubert Sumlin, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts(boy can he drum, superb!), Bill Wyman(again superb playing), Ian Stewart and Steve Winwood.

This is brilliant! Howlin' Wolf is the blues! This is cool, driving, hypnotic blues.My only complaint is the fade-outs just as you are getting mesmerised by the rhythms and the beat. I wish they would re-release this as a 2-CD set but with the extended versions and no fade-outs.

With musicians like this Burnett just had to record with them(My only wonder is why I didn't have this in my collection back in the day)Masterful

I already have most of these tracks covered by other artists, so it was good to hear them being performed by Howlin Wolf, albeit with some of the fore mentioned musicians. The modern recording equipment helps bring the material more up to date, something the purists might take issue with, but it works just fine for me.