The Mighty Wolf

It's been a long time, readers, I know, but I've been intending to tell you that I recently spun two Howlin' Wolf platters--"Howlin' Wolf" and "More Folk Blues." The gigantically headed Mr. Chester Arthur Burnett is possibly my favorite blues singer. A force of nature, a blast of demonic frenzy, etc. It's hard to believe such giants walked the earth. Listen to him sing "Spoonful"; "Back Door Man"; "Down in the Bottom." Probably best heard on the Chess label with his musical soulmate, Hubert Sumlin, backing him on guitar. Still haven't heard his reportedly unhinged Sun sides. Memo to self.

I've bought so many records and CD's lately, it's hard to filter through all of them. I will tell you that some of my recent favorites have been Jenny Lewis's "Rabbit Fur Coat"; Van Morrison's "Pay the Devil" (a real pleasant surprise); Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb's "Reunion" (Jimmy Webb is a major project for this year--more on him to come, I'm sure); Curtis Mayfield's "Ain't No Place Like America Today"--one I'd been searching for a couple of years. The latter one has got me listening to my seventies Curtis Mayfield recordings. As solid an output as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye put out in that time (not as Poppily great as Stevie, but way more consistent than Marvin) in my opinion.

Recently read "In Cold Blood." The book reminded me how much I dig the movie, and that got me thinking about my childhood fascination with Robert Blake (he starred in the film version of "In Cold Blood", as you probably know). I think I'm going to write an essay about eleven year-old me, the Robert Blake fan. I'll either put it in the next 'zine or in this space.

Anyway, I'll try to post more often.