Notes from YouTube;
Howlin' Wolf performs "Highway 49" at the Washington D.C. Blues Festival, November 1970. Band includes Sunnyland Slim (piano), Hubert Sumlin (guitar), Randy Joe Fullerton (bass) and S.P. Leary (drums). From the recent Vestapol DVD release "Howlin Wolf: In Concert 1970".
Howlin' Wolf @Amazon.com
Books about Howlin' Wolf
Howlin' Wolf @ SqueezeMyLemon
5 comments:
Looks like the Wolf was hittin the sauce that night...
At first i thought it was the 'London Sessions' band (Clapton, Wyman, etc) but the guitar and piano players are black guys, and they barely show them...
I wonder who they are.
Jeff, thanks so much for leaving a comment. You prompted me to add more info to this wonderful clip.
While I don't doubt that Wolf, may have had a drink or two prior to performing here, it is really a typical performance up to that point in his career, he was known for putting on a very dynamic show.
The crawling on stage, the booming voice, the growling menacing looks at the audience, it was just all part of the act.
You can see photographers in the back ground scramble to get shots of him at his antics.
Please note the musicians listed in the post. The piano player, Sunnyland Slim and the lead guitarist, Hubert Sumlin should be familiar to most blues fans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubert_Sumlin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunnyland_Slim
S.P. Leary is also a noted blues drummer.
I don't know much about the bass player Randy Joe Fullerton, maybe some of my readers may know more about him.
And your comment about them being black guys cracked me up, just so we are clear, I'm a black guy myself. And they are always barely showing us... LOL.
A note on the musicians. Hubert Sumlin played guitar for Wolf for years and was perfect. There was no need for anything fancy. It was all about the song and Sumlin and Wolf were awesome together. This band was also fortunate enough to have the great Sunnyland Slim playing piano. Slim was a fine headliner in his own right. I've posted some video of his performances on this site.
In my opinion, one glance from Wolf, one little howl, one gesture, is way more powerful than the best licks many blues players have to offer. I think young players would do well to watch and listen and study everything they can get hold of by this guy. He was just that good.
A while back I was listening to Bob Dylan's radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour, and he played a cut by Wolf - it might have been Evil, I'm not sure. Anyway, Dylan's comment about the song was that it was "flawless". I think Dylan wasn't exaggerating. Wolf was just that good.
Agreed. Howlin Wolf was one of the greatest bluesmen to ever step up to a microphone.
And Fitz: As a white guy, i ought to lear nmore about that bass player Randy Joe eh. ;)
I know a little about the bass play Randy Joe Fullerton. I actually worked with him! He is an amazing soul and bass player! He actually just passed away today and we are all celebrating his life today and remembering him with all of the wonderful memories we have!!!May you rest in peace Randy Joe Fullerton(bass player on "Highway 69" song) We love you and will miss you!!!!
Post a Comment