The Back Door Wolf

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2007-08-04 rating:
Wolf's last
Everyone one knows how great Howlin' Wolf had been in the previous two decades, but how did he sound in 1973 on his final album, at the age of 63, in poor health and with less than three years to live? The contents of The Back Door Wolf, recorded on August 14th and 17th 1973, seem ignored on all the compilations by which most of us now know his work. br / br /Actually, he is in great voice and contributes some nifty harmonica work to boot. Regular accompanists SP Leary and the legendary Hubert Sumlin are all over the record, abetted by Willie Harris on rhythm guitar and either James Green or Andrew McMahon on bass. The baroque harpsichord-like sounds of Detroit Junior's electric keyboards on four of the tracks have put off some listeners but didn't trouble me, though on balance I prefer his piano work on the other tracks, particularly on Stop Using Me. An alternative take of St Louis Jimmy's Speak Now Woman is added to the CD on which the harpsichord is replaced by background piano and Hubert Sumlin's guitar lead. The tenor sax player Eddie Shaw wrote five of the tunes but plays only on the instrumental title track, also the single from the album, which has Wolf moaning and howling in the background. br / br /In some ways this is a retrospective album, with Wolf frequently back-referencing his earlier recording in the lyrics and in his harmonica playing, and also quoting lines from early influences such as Charley Patton, though there are also topical songs about the Watergate hearings and about African-American integration. At times the playing can seem slightly subdued and to lack fire, but this minor criticism aside this is a fine body of work. br /


review by: date: 2004-05-20 rating:
The last of the Wolf
Finished in August, 1973, "The Back Door Wolf" comprises Howlin' Wolf's very last recordings for MCA/Chess. His last recordings for anybody, actually, since Wolf was a very sick man at the time, and he passed away less than 2½ years later at the age of 65.pBut it is by no means the last, barely audible gasp of a dying legend. Even at 63, plagued by kidney failure and serious heart problems, Wolf could rock the house, and this album, while not quite the equal of his output during the 50s and early 60s, is more than worth a listen. brIt opens with the tough, pulsating "Killing Floor"-like "Moving", an autobiographical song penned by Wolf himself, and containing references to many of his old hits, and it ends on a high note as well, with bassist Andrew McMahon's swaggering shuffle "Can't Stay Here". brOther highlights include the piano-driven "Stop Using Me", the swinging "Leave Here Walkin'", and Wolf Gang saxist and bandleader Eddie Shaw's wonderful "Coon On The Moon", an easy, loping blues tune set to Shaw's proud lyrics about the misfortunes and triumphs of the blacks of America, and delivered with power, dignity and conviction by the Wolf:br"You know they call us coons / Said we din' have no sense / You know you gonna wake up one morning / And the old coon gon' be the president - things have changed!"pThe band, anchored by drummer S.P. Leary, is great as always, although I could easily have done without Detroit Junior's harpsichord which pops up here and there. But guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Willie Harris are excellent, with Sumlin getting off some fiery solos, and Wolf's harmonica playing is sparse but just right as always.pNot the place to start your Howlin' Wolf collection, perhaps, but a great place to end up. brHighly recommended.

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