Howlin' Wolf

[mikeweil]

I know there's the Chess box - but anyone got the two Bear Family reissue CDs and can compare? how's the sound, and which selection would you recommend?

As always, many thanks!

[J.A.W.]

Like the title says, the Bear Family set Memphis Days - The Definitive Edition, Vols.1-2 has Wolf's Memphis recordings, while The Chess Box also covers his Chicago years. You'll need both in my opinion, they're essential.

Edited September 11, 2004 by J.A.W.

[Chuck Nessa]

The Bear Family discs include material issued on RPM, Modern, Crown, etc as well as the early Chess sides. I think they are essential. The Chess box is more a "career survey".

[Joe]

On a related note...

Has anyone seen the Wolf DVD? Opinions?

[John L]

Ace Records just released all of the Modern (RPM) recordings in superior sound. They actually found new acetates.

I haven't heard the Bear Family releases, but the Chess Box sounds good to my ears. The Chess Box also makes a good selection from the cream of almost all of Wolf's recordings. I believe that Bear Family releases only the earlier (Memphis) recordings that were not licensed to either Modern or Chess. (Chuck: I don't think that the Bear Family discs actually contain any of the Modern (RPM) material, although they do contain a number of alternate takes from sessions at Sun that were the source of some of the first Modern sides. All of the tracks on Bear Family were also included on a Charly box set of all of Wolf's Chess records (with alternates) and there was no duplication with the Modern (RPM) stuff.)

There is another 2-disc set that supplements the Chess Box with no duplications: "Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog." Those 5 Chess CDs and the Ace CD are the cornerstones of a Wolf collection (IMO).

As for the DVD, it's fantastic. Get it!

Edited September 14, 2004 by John L

[mikeweil]

Great info, thankx!!!

[J.A.W.]

Ace Records just released all of the Modern (RPM) recordings in superior sound.  They actually found new acetates. 

I haven't heard the Bear Family releases, but the Chess Box sounds good to my ears.   The Chess Box also makes a good selection from the cream of almost all of Wolf's recordings.   I believe that Bear Family releases only the earlier (Memphis) recordings that were not licensed to either Modern or Chess.   (Chuck: I don't think that the Bear Family discs actually contain any of the Modern (RPM) material, although they do contain a number of alternate takes from sessions at Sun that were the source of some of the first Modern sides.   All of the tracks on Bear Family were also included on a Charly box set of all of Wolf's Chess records (with alternates) and there was no duplication with the Modern (RPM) stuff.)

There is another 2-disc set that supplements the Chess Box with no duplications:  "Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog."   Those 5 Chess CDs and the Ace CD are the cornerstones of a Wolf collection (IMO). 

As for the DVD, it's fantastic.  Get it!

Thanks for the research, John.

The recent Ace CD Howling Wolf Sings the Blues (ACE CDCHM 1013) is actually a reissue of the older Ace CD Howling Wolf Rides Again (Ace CDCHD 333). The reissue probably has better sound since (like you said) the original acetates were used.

Edited September 16, 2004 by J.A.W.