Known for his raucous live shows and larger than life figure (it’s been said that he weighed 300 pounds during “his salad days”, which is frankly a helluva quote) 6 foot 3 Chester “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett was an imposing presence in the early days of acoustic Delta Blues and played a pivotal role in transforming the genre to an electric guitar rendition that would eventually turn into the celebrated Chicago Blues.
1959’s Moanin’ in the Moonlight is his debut album, featuring a collection of singles that were recorded and previously released from August 1951 through March of 1959. The venerable Buddy Guy once said of Howlin’ Wolf, “That man was the natural stuff. His fists were as big as a car tire” and the album reflects that statement, with the fierce growl of “Smokestack Lightin’” to the helter skelter ragtime of “How Many More Years”.
Standout Songs: “Smokestack Lightin’”, “How Many More Years”, “I Asked For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)”
