If you love the Chicago Blues, you’ll count yourself lucky that Hubert Sumlin is still alive and playing guitar.
His stunningly original and powerful technique, structured unlike any other in recorded blues, has many admirers but no successful imitators. As the lead guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf, he helped create a body of work that formed a distinctive and lasting impression on American music, and has inspired musicians around the world.
Large claims? Yes, but only until you’ve heard the music. The stinging, curling, staccato guitar lines remain in the mind long after the song is over.
But it’s never mere “flash”: Sumlin’s guitar complements and enhances the work of the entire band, which is the hallmark of Chicago Blues at its best.
The above 1964 clip illustrates Sumlin’s memorable live work with Wolf. Willie Dixon is on bass. The drummer is Clifton James and the piano player (visible in the long shot at the end of the clip) is Sunnyland Slim. This is another American Folk Blues Festival production, as evidenced by the polite, well-scrubbed faces of the audience.
PS – Eamonn Walker, the Cadillac Records actor who portrays Howlin’ Wolf almost certainly based his performance of Smokestack Lightning on this AFB clip (see the clip from the movie on Youtube). Did a good job, too.
Here is Hubert Sumlin with Eric Clapton and Robert Cray in 2004:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ylfl_crosroad-festival-2004-hubert-sumli_music
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