Remastered From the Analog Tapes

An imposing figure who sang with a fierce growl and rasp, Howlin' Wolf's debut album was fittingly titled Moanin' In The Moonlight. All of Wolf's best qualities came together on the 1959 Chess Records release which collected together singles from 1951-59, including his eerie and powerful first hit "Moanin' At Midnight" and the stupendous "Smokestack Lightnin'." The entirety of Moanin' In The Moonlight is a gritty delight. Inventive and elegant guitarist Willie Johnson adds tone and rhythm to Wolf's voice while drummer Willie Steele bashes away with unremitting power. Hubert Sumlin also appears on lead guitar along with Otis Spann on piano and esteemed songwriter Willie Dixon on bass. The striking cover artwork was done by Don Bronstein, who later became the first staff photographer for Playboy, and in-house art director at Chess. The huge and unsettling masterpiece is ranked 154th on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.