Various Artists
Howlin’ at Greaseland
2017 –West Tone Records
Release Date : 2017
By Phillip Smith;
Dec 30, 2017
Howlin’
Wolf has always been one of my favorite bluesmen and I
was quite excited to hear this new compilation of the Wolf’s music masterminded
by producer Stephanie Tice and Christopher ‘Kid’ Andersen. Howlin’
at Greaseland was recorded at Andersen’s Greaseland Studio in
San Jose, California, and features a terrific crew of blues singers consisting
of Alabama Mike, John Blues Boyd, Tail Dragger Jones, Henry
Gray, Aki Kumar, Terry Hanck, and Lee Donald. The band has a rotating cast of notable Bay
area blues artists on hand too. With Andersen
himself on guitar for the majority of the songs, others include: Rick Estrin(harmonica),
Aki Kumar(harp), Rockin’ Johnny Burgin(guitar), Johnny Cat
Soubrand(guitar), Vance Ehlers(bass), Jim Pugh(piano), Dmar
Martin(drums), Lorenzo Farrell(piano), Alex Pettersen(drums), Robby
Yamilov(bass), Joe Kyle Jr.(bass), June Core(drums), Henry
Gray(piano), Patrick Rynn(bass), Chris James(guitar), Eric
Spaulding(sax) and Mike Phillips(bass).
The album wonderfully begins with the infectious
hook of “Meet Me in the Bottom”. Alabama
Mike pours himself into his performance. Kid Andersen’s slide guitar sounds so
nice, especially paired with the harp playing of Rick Estrin. It’s a terrific way to start the record. This really has a way of warming the listener
up for the killer rendition of “Smokestack Lightnin’” sung by John Blues
Boyd. This one features both Kid and
Rockin’ Johnny Burgin on guitars, as well as Estrin on harp,
delicately accented by the piano prowess of Jim Pugh(Robert Cray Band).
Tail Dragger delivers the goods
on “Don’t Trust No Woman”, as he belts the tune out with tons of experience. Rockin’ Johnny Burgin splendidly keeps
the song rolling on guitar while Aki Kumar delivers a big juicy
performance on harp. I love Henry
Gray’s remarkable piano and vocal delivery of “Little Red Rooster”. It is blues at its purest. The album comes to a close with sweet
recording of “Spoonful” sung with conviction by John Blues Boyd. Players
on hand for this track include Kid Andersen and Rockin’ Johnny on
guitars, with Rick Estrin on harp, Joe Kyle Jr. on bass, Jim Pugh
on organ, and Eric Spaulding on sax. They sound so great together; I certainly would
be up for hearing more of these compilations from Greaseland.
