Howlin' Wolf, Smokestack Lightning

Posted in Howlin' Wolf, Youtube Favs on June 5th, 2011 by Willie

Back to rock and roll with part 81 of my youtube countdown.  Today I have the fierce Howlin’ Wolf with his immortal classic, Smokestack Lightning.  Wolf, born Chester Arthur Burnett, was a massive imposing man with a growling blues roar.  He didn’t get his name from his size, but rather his fear.  His grandfather used to warn him that the howling wolves in the country side would come get him if he misbehaved, which is sort of a lot like Batman’s origin if you think about it.  Hah, anyway, Smokestack Lightning is a one chord vamp of a blues song, featuring Wolf’s distinctive vocal delivery.  In this amazing clip, you get a real sense of Wolf’s incredible persona and serious attitude as he blows through the tune preacher like mysticism.  Not to be missed.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones

Posted in Muddy Waters, The Rolling Stones, Youtube Favs on April 14th, 2011 by Willie

In part 35 of my youtube favorites countdown, we take a trip to rock school.  In our lesson we’ll look at two thunderously classic clips.  The first features the immortal Muddy Waters leading his band through his genre defining blues cut “Rollin’ Stone.”  This song, as you probably know, was the original inspiration for the Rolling Stones’ name, as well as Bob Dylan’s classic “Like a Rolling Stone.”  Beyond that bit of history making, the song itself, which many people aren’t familiar with, is a snarling bit of cool contained electric blues.  Muddy kicks it off with a peculiar wish, to be a catfish, swimming in the deep blue sea, where presumably, a whole bunch of sexy ladies will be fishing after him…Hmm, pretty strange, yet awesome imagery.  The second clip unites Muddy with his disciples, the Stones, hammering out a nasty good version of “Mannish Boy.”  Now “Mannish Boy” is probably where you’ve heard Muddy proclaim his Rolling Stone status more famously then the actual “Rollin’ Stone” song, where the proclamation was more of a throwaway.  This video is a lot of fun.  Muddy sounds fantastic, and looks like he’s having a great time grooving with his “children.”  I like that Muddy seems more bemused, and not annoyed as Mick dances, struts, and vamps all around him.  When Mick takes the mic, his vocal interactions with Muddy are just too cool, as Muddy cheers him on in the slickest way possible.  Thus endeth the lesson.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,