Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightning
In 1969 Howlin' Wolf released the album from which this version of Smokestack Lightning is taken. Actually, that's not quite accurate. His record label released it. Howlin' Wolf wanted nothing to do with it. He didn't like it in the least, something attested to by its cover, which simply read "This is Howlin' Wolf's new album. He doesn't like it. He didn't like his electric guitar at first either." He didn't like the cover either, not least because it was inaccurate. Wolf was one of the pioneers of the electric blues.

So what's wrong with it? Well, plenty to be honest. It took several Howlin' Wolf classics and re-recorded them with some pretty cheesy psyche instrumentation. Just listen to the flute that wanders all over this version of Smokestack Lightning, and you'll see what I mean. The less said about the echo effects on the guitar the better. And yet despite that, this is certainly worthy of interest. The bass vamp is a real burner, and if nothing else this is worth hearing to know that it has been done, whether or not it should have. A real curiosity.

Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightning
(alternate download)