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Smokestack Lightning /The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960 [Box set, Import]

Howlin' Wolf | Format: Audio CD
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Biography

The blues has been a wellspring for rivers of pop, rock and R&B and there's nothing quite like returning to the source. In the mid-'60s, Chess Records released a series of legendary "best of" albums for Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin' Wolf. Under each artist's name, The Real Folk Blues was issued in 1966 and a More Real Folk Blues ... Read more in Amazon's Howlin' Wolf Store

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Product details

  • Audio CD (21 Nov 2011)
  • Number of Discs: 4
  • Format: Box set, Import
  • Label: Import Music Services
  • ASIN: B005JLN9V2
  • Other Editions: MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 80,090 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         


Disc 1:

Samples
Song Title Time Price
Listen  1. Moanin' At Midnight (Single Version) 2:53£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  2. How Many More Years (Alternate) 2:46£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  3. How Many More Years (Single Version) 2:40£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  4. The Wolf Is At Your Door (Single Version) 2:56£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  5. California Boogie 2:57£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  6. Smile At Me 2:04£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  7. Howlin' Wolf Boogie (Single Version) 2:37£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  8. California Blues #1 (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:55£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  9. Look-A-Here Baby (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:08£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen10. Worried All The Time (Single Version) 3:06£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen11. Gettin' Old And Grey (Single Version) 2:36£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen12. Mr. Highway Man (Single Version) 2:46£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen13. Everybody's In The Mood (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:57£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen14. Color And Kind (Album Version) 3:09£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen15. Bluebird (1991 Chess Box Version) 2:48£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen16. Saddle My Pony (Single Version) 2:32£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen17. Dorothy Mae (Alternate Take) 2:42£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen18. Dorothy Mae (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:35£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen19. Sweet Woman (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 3:23£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen20. (Well) That's All Right (1991 The Chess Box Version) 3:00£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen21. Decoration Day (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 3:15£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen22. Oh! Red (Single Version) 2:35£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen23. My Last Affair (Single Version) 2:56£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen24. I've Got A Woman (Album Version) 2:52£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen25. Just My Kind (Album Version) 2:57£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen26. Work For Your Money (Album Version) 2:16£0.89  Buy MP3 


Disc 2:

Samples
Song Title Time Price
Listen  1. I'm Not Joking (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:55£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  2. Mama Died And Left Me (1991 The Chess Box Version) 3:11£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  3. All Night Boogie (All Night Long) (Single Version) 2:12£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  4. I Love My Baby (Single Version) 2:55£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  5. Highway My Friend (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:15£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  6. Hold Your Money (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:19£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  7. Streamline Woman (1991 Chess Box Version) 2:43£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  8. California Blues #2 (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:20£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  9. Stay Here Til My Baby Comes Back (1994 Chess Collectibles) 2:37£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen10. Crazy About You Baby (1991 Chess Box Version) 2:19£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen11. No Place To Go (You Gonna Wreck My Life) (Single Version) 2:53£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen12. You Gonna Wreck My Life (Alternate Take) 2:34£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen13. Neighbors (Album Version) 2:43£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen14. I'm The Wolf (Album Version) 2:50£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen15. Rockin' Daddy (Single Version) 3:01£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen16. Baby How Long (Single Version) 2:54£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen17. Evil (Is Going On) (Single Version) 2:53£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen18. I'll Be Around (Single Version) 3:11£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen19. Forty Four (Single Version) 2:48£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen20. Who Will Be Next (Single Version) 2:32£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen21. I Have A Little Girl (Single Version) 2:33£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen22. Come To Me Baby (Single Version) 2:26£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen23. Don't Mess With My Baby (Single Version) 2:37£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen24. Smokestack Lightnin' (Single Version) 3:06£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen25. You Can't Be Beat (Single Version) 3:10£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen26. I Asked For Water (Single Version) 2:49£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen27. So Glad (Single Version) 2:07£0.89  Buy MP3 


Disc 3:

Samples
Song Title Time Price
Listen  1. I'm Leaving You (Alternate Take) 2:43£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  2. I'm Leaving You (Takes 7-10) 7:39£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  3. I'm Leaving You 2:57£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  4. Can't Put Me Out (Alternate 1) 1:59£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  5. Can't Put Me Out (Alternate 2) 2:57£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  6. (You) Can't Put Me Out 3:09£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  7. Change My Way (Single Version) 3:31£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  8. Getting Late (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 3:04£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  9. I've Been Abused (Takes 4-12) 5:01£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen10. I've Been Abused 2:15£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen11. Howlin' For My Baby (Takes 1-7) 5:39£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen12. Howlin' For My Darling (Or Baby) 2:30£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen13. Wolf In The Mood (Instrumental) 5:48£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen14. My People's Gone (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:22£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen15. Mr. Airplane Man (Takes 1 & 2) 6:07£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen16. Mr. Airplane Man (Single Version) 2:43£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen17. Wang Dang Doodle (Single Version) 2:22£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen18. Back Door Man (Single Version) 2:48£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen19. Spoonful 2:42£0.89  Buy MP3 


Disc 4:

Samples
Song Title Time Price
Listen  1. Break Of Day 2:44£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  2. The Natchez Burnin' (Single Version) 2:09£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  3. Going Back Home 2:39£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  4. Bluebird (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 3:31£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  5. My Life (Single Version) 3:01£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  6. You Ought To Know (Single Version) 3:20£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  7. Who's Been Talking? (Single Version) 2:21£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  8. Tell Me (Single Version) 2:56£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  9. Somebody In My Home (Alternate Take) 2:34£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen10. Somebody In My Home (Single Edit) 2:25£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen11. Nature (Takes 1/4/6) 6:35£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen12. Nature (Alternate Take) 2:54£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen13. Nature (Single Version) 2:45£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen14. Walk To Camp Hall (1994 Chess Collectibles Version) 2:49£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen15. Poor Boy (Alternate Take) 2:26£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen16. Poor Boy (Single Version) 2:33£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen17. My Baby Told Me (Alternate Take) 2:46£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen18. Sitting On Top Of The World (1958 Single Version) 2:32£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen19. I Didn't Know 2:26£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen20. I Better Go Now (Howlin' Blues) (Alternate) 3:11£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen21. Howlin' Blues (Single Version) 2:44£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen22. I Better Go Now (Multiple Takes) 4:23£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen23. I Didn't Know (Single Version) 2:34£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen24. Moaning For My Baby 2:47£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen25. Moaning For My Baby (Midnight Blues) (Takes 3 & 4) 4:49£0.89  Buy MP3 

Product Description

(1951-60 'Chess')(293:12/97) Er war mächtig, massiv und auf der Bühne Furcht einflössend: Chester Burnett alias Howlin' Wolf zählte zu den größten Persönlichkeiten des Blues aus Chicago. Diese Edition (gebundenes Buch mit vier CDs) faßt alle Aufnahmen seiner erfolgreichsten Phase zusammen und liefert etliche neue biografische Details und jede Menge teils unbekannter Fotos aus jener Zeit - ein liebevoll gestaltetes Werk. Die neu gemasterten Aufnahmen klingen klar und authentisch. Ausgezeichnete, limitierte Edition! / He was a mighty man, huge, big, with a terrifying stage presence. One of the greatest Chicago blues stars, ever this awesome book/CD collection is paying tribute to the Wolf. Four CDs in a hardcover book, beautifully illustrated with rare photos, ads and clippings. The sound of the newly re-mastered masters is superb, pristine and warm. Excellent, limited edition.

Customer Reviews

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4.2 out of 5 stars
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4.2 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars "...Well Don't You Hear Me Cryin'..." 22 Nov 2011
By Mark Barry, Reckless Records, London HALL OF FAME TOP 50 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
This rather lovely 'book-shaped' set is the first in a series of CD retrospectives documenting Chester Arthur Burnette (his real name) and his stay at the legendary Blues label 'Chess'. There's an awful lot of Howlin' Wolf to document here, so let's get to the details...

Released Monday 21 November 2011 in the UK (September 2011 in the USA) on Hip-O Select/Geffen/Universal B0015309-2 - "Smokestack Lightning - The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960" is a 97-Track 4CD Book Set and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1, 26 Tracks, 1951 to 1953 (73:08 minutes):
Tracks 2, 5, 6, 17, Previously Unreleased In The USA
Tracks 8, 9, 13, 14, 18 and 21 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation "Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog" on Chess CD2-9349
Tracks 15 and 20 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set "Howlin' Wolf - The Chess Box" on Chess CD3-9332
Tracks 24 to 26 are 1953 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP "More Real Folk Blues" on Chess LP 1512
I've provided all other track info in the 'comment' section attached to this review as well as a 78". 7" and LP Discography

Disc 2, 27 Tracks, 1953 to 1956 (73:42 minutes):
Tracks 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, and first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation "Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog" on Chess CD2-9349
Tracks 2, 7, 10, and first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set "Howlin' Wolf - The Chess Box" on Chess CD3-9332
Tracks 13, 14 and are 1954 Mono recordings 1st released on the 1966 USA LP "More Real Folk Blues" on Chess LP 1512
Other track info - see 'comment' section attached to this review

Disc 3, 25 Tracks, 1956 to 1958 (76:41 minutes):
Tracks 1 first released on the 1993 US 4CD Box Set by Various Artists called "Chess Blues" on Chess CHD4-9340
Tracks 4, 6, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 25 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation "Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog" on Chess CD2-9349
Tracks 9, 11, 19, 20, 22* and 25* Previously Unreleased In The USA
[Track 22 includes Chess single 1726; Track 25 includes Alternate Take on "Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog" 2CD set on Chess CHD2-9349]
Other track info - see 'comment' section attached to this review

Disc 4, 19 Tracks, 1958 to 1960 (68:50 minutes):
Tracks 1, 2, 5, 9 and 11 Previously Unreleased In The USA
Track 4 first released on the 1982 US 2LP set "Chess Blues Rarities" on Chess CH2-9230
Track 15 first released on the 1991 US 3CD Box Set "Howlin' Wolf - The Chess Box" on Chess CD3-9332
Tracks 6, 8, 13 (with Outtakes Dialogue) and 14 first released on the 1994 US 2CD compilation "Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog" on Chess CD2-9349
Other track info - see 'comment' section attached to this review

The hardback book packaging matches the look and feel of the MUDDY WATERS "Hoochie Coochie Man..." Hip-O Select 2CD set of 2004 (not as wide, but it's taller). "Smokestack Lightning..." has an embossed matt cardboard effect on the front cover with similarly textured pages within and is a non-numbered worldwide Limited Edition of 5000 copies. The 42-page booklet inside has an essay on Wolf (Pages 3 to 9) by PETER GURALNICK who is the award-winning Author of 2 books on Sam Cooke and Elvis Presley - with a forthcoming Biography on Sam Phillips. In fact Guralnick's entry here is a highly personal interview with SAM PHILLIPS on how the legendary and visionary Producer of Sun Records first tried to record the great bluesman and his band in 1951. Phillips warmly remembers the sheer impact of Wolf's powerhouse of a voice and physical presence (6' 3", 275 Pounds). Sam is full of passion and awe for the man who sang "...with his damn soul..." - bowled over even now - some 60 years after the event.

Not to be outdone, the liner notes on the project itself by DICK SHUMAN on Pages 11 to 19 are equally entertaining as they concentrate on the key musicians and recording dates. I particularly love the page that pictures "The New 708 Club" card invite for the Chicago Blues Club that tells you - you can see Muddy Waters on Mon, Wed and Thurs with Otis Rush on Fri, Sat and Sun but Howlin' Wolf is only available on Tues! Now there's a week of Blues gigs I want to attend! Pages 20 to 42 picture Trade Adverts, Black & White photos of his group, photos of his rare "Moanin' In The Moonlight" album from 1958 (front and rear) and end on a full track-by-track Discography. The 4CDs are held in individual leaves at the back - each disc colour scheme reflecting the original shellac and vinyl labels (Blue and White for the 78's - Blue and Silver for the famous Chess 45's).

As with so much of the enormous Chess catalogue - the remastering has been carried out by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON - a man with over 900 mastering and audio restoration credits to his name. This stuff is ROUGH - brutal even in places - and the remaster brings out that raw power. Some of the alternate takes are very crackly - but he has allowed them to breath and there's huge presence in every track. Most of the songs on Disc 1 to 3 are self-penned like the staggering "Smoke Stack Lightning" (lyrics above), but by the time we get to the tail end of Disc 4 the catalyst of WILLIE DIXON arrives - sending everything into the stratosphere ("Spoonful" and "Wang Dang Doodle"). The combo of Wolf's voice and Dixon's witty tunes will undoubtedly dominate Volume 2.

Niggles - the packaging is lovely, but it's over too soon. Very few 78's or 45's are pictured and you can't help thinking that if Bear Family or Ace had handled this - it would be twice the size and truly beautiful in every way. And musically - the repetition of tracks and takes is hard to take - so a "Best Of" would suffice for the merely curious (or even a Willie Dixon set with HW tracks on it). Die-hard fans, however, of Howlin' Wolf, Chess Records and the Blues in general will have to own this.

To sum up - despite the 'slightly' disappointing packaging - this is a classy reminder of a genuine force of nature - a singer who shaped so much of what we listen to - and whose influence can still be felt to this day. And if you want to know why so many white rock guys worshipped at his feet and regularly tried to kiss the hem of his garment - here is the place to start...

Like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Muddy Waters - how I wished I'd seen this giant live...
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars If you hear me howlin' 21 Feb 2013
By Johnboy
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
You can understand why the man is a legend. What a voice! It's like being in the room with him, he has real prescence.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars going down slow 11 Jan 2013
By Mr. R. D. King
Format:Audio CD
when i was a young grammar school kid of about 12 or 13 in 1964/65 completely in the grip of mod and everything happening in the music and youth culture of the time,i asked one of the coolest mod type 5th formers what he thought was the best record record at the moment.expecting him to suggest a stones,animals,pretty things,kinks,who or maybe yardbirds tune,he took my question seriously thought for what seemed like several minutes and replied smokestack lightning howlin wolf..who?what?was it a group called smokestack or howlin wolf,i had no idea,. but if mac sadowski(that was his name)said it was good that was all i needed to know, anyway saturday i was straight down to sloughs best record shop in the indoor market i think it was called daves(im really getting into this memory now)all the mods of the area would be there on saturdays.snd found an ep with a rocking chair on the cover by howlin wolf featuring the song.i couldnt believe what i was hearing when i got home and played it.unlike anything id ever heard,it grooved it rocked the haunting atmosphere of its sound actually scared me. totally and utterly brilliant.as is virtually everythinc the wolfman has ever done,however on that ep were 2 songs, going down slow and youll be mine(ripped off by narc bolan and called jeepster)that were just as great,but dont seem to be on this. so how is it called complete masters with these omissions.howlin wolf is a god and i will be eternally grateful to mac.
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