Although this clip looks as if it had been filmed at a Chicago Blues club, it actually took place at the Newport Folk Festival in 1966.
The folklorist Alan Lomax had set up a faux juke joint where he could film blues players in a “realistic” club setting. Performers included Skip James, Bukka White, and Howlin’ Wolf.
The setting may have been staged but what takes place on this remarkable clip was not. On hand as an inebriated spectator is that elder statesman of the blues, Son House. Wolf tries at first to ignore his mumbling, but finally in exasperation tells him exactly what he thinks of him. It is a searing moment, made all the sadder because Wolf in his youth had so much admired the older bluesman.
Some people feel that Wolf was a little hard on House, but part of the reason was Wolf’s own hard-won struggles with the bottle and with his temper. Wolf always put great emphasis on self-restraint and self-respect. He couldn’t kill the demons in him, but he wouldn’t be their slave. Wolf, when in his sixties, went to night school to improve his reading and writing. An unforgettable man.
Accompanying Wolf are Sam Jones on sax, Hubert Sumlin on guitar, Andrew McMahon on bass, with S.P. Leary at the drums. Howlin’ Wolf played slide guitar sparingly, but beautifully. He does so here.
Thanks to Mark Hoffman for invaluable help with the details. Mark is the co-author of Moanin’ at Midnight: The Life and Times of Howlin’ Wolf. I recommend it without reservation.
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Post Script from East Portland Blog: EPB encourages you to purchase Moanin’ at Midnight and all your books, used and new, from John Siscoe at Globe Books, 218 First Avenue South, near Pioneer Square, Seattle, Washington, (206) 682-6882. (If you don’t find what you’re looking for on the shelves, John can order it for you.) Independent retailers provide you with service, knowledge and love for subject matter unavailable in other commercial settings. Please support local, independent stores, particularly book dealers, and particularly book sellers who happen to also be one of East Portland Blog’s team of expert contributors. đ
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