| The Howlin' Wolf Story - The Secret History of Rock & Roll | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 27 reviews)
Sales Rank: 21128
Category: DVD
Actor: Howlin' Wolf
Publisher: RCA
Studio: RCA
Manufacturer: RCA
Label: RCA
Format: Black & White, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Number Of Items: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.5
MPN: 56631
UPC: 828765663199
EAN: 0828765663199
ASIN: B0000DJZ81
Release Date: November 4, 2003
Theatrical Release Date: November 4, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
What better way to cap off 2003, the "Year of the Blues," than with this eminently watchable documentary about Chester A. Burnett, better known as Howlin' Wolf? Arguably second only to Muddy Waters among the Mississippi Delta singers who traveled north and pioneered urban electric blues (their supposed rivalry is the subject of one of this DVD's bonus features), Wolf was a big, imposing man with an inimitable, booming voice and a lasting influence on generations of rock & rollers--all of which comes across in the 90-minute film. Not only do we get a history of his life (told by family members, musical associates like longtime guitarist Hubert Sumlin, and Wolf himself) that's far more entertaining than the norm for this genre, we also get some history of the blues in general. And not only do we hear snippets of Wolf's music, we hear several complete songs, including some priceless filmed performances. Quite simply, this one should become a touchstone for documentaries of its kind. --Sam Graham
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| Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...
 The Hour Of The Wolf September 21, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have reviewed several of Howlin' Wolf's CDs in this space previously and had expected that this documentary about the life, the times and the influence of this incredible blues performer would merely be an appetizer for further reviews of his music. Not so. This well-done, lovingly put together and extremely informative documentary is a worthy viewing for the novice and old Wolf aficionados like me. Thus, rather than placing this commentary as a tail to some other Wolf entry it is worthy of separate entry here.
In this presentation filled, as always in this kind of work, with the inevitable "talking heads" we go from Wolf`s roots down in the Mississippi Delta, cotton country and nothing else, in the 1920's and 1930's through to the first stop up the Mississippi at Memphis on to the Mecca Chicago in the post- World War II period and finally to international renown in the blues revival started by the likes of The Rolling Stones in the mid-1960s. In short we are treated to a view of the trajectory of Wolf's life; unlike let us say Son House with whom Wolf worked with in the old days who stuck with the country roots, from country blues of the back road jukes to the electricity of the urban ghetto that made those old blues jump for at first migratory urban blacks and then young whites like this reviewer. Along the way many of the musicians that worked with Wolf like Hubert Sumerlin, a blues guitarist legend in his own right, and Sam Lay as well as Wolf's daughters, the Chess Record producer Marshall Chess and others give some amusing stories and anecdotes on the life of the great bluesman. And seemingly as always when blues or rock and roll are mentioned little segments with the ubiquitous Sam Phillips of the well-known Sun Recording studio in Memphis.
I do not generally comment on (or for that matter look at) the special features sections of DVD. Not doing so here would be a mistake. There is some nice home movie footage, some interesting Wolf stories by his companions and rivals, a nice segment on the rivalry between Wolf and Muddy Waters to be "King of The Chicago Blues" and a recording of a radio broadcast of Wolf doing Little Red Rooster. Damn, I flipped out the first time I heard that song when it was covered by The Rolling Stones in the early 1960's. I also flipped out when I first heard a Wolf recording of it. I don't know what I would have done had I heard it on my radio then. Probably started hitchhiking for Chicago.
All of this information is nice but I am sure the reader is just as interested to know about the music. Oh yes there is some great footage of classic Wolf efforts. Of course for this reviewer number one is always Wolf's Little Red Rooster. Christ, he is practically eating the harmonica by the end of the song. Lovin' Spoonful, Moaning at Midnight and a host of other songs get their usual Wolf professional treatment. That is a point to be underscored, he was a professional in his approach to the music, its presentation and the way that he could influence a genre that he practically build (along with his competitor Muddy Waters) from scratch. If you need an hour of the Wolf doin' his Midnight Creep then you really have to see this documentary. Kudos to the filmmakers on this one.
Great archival footage and information April 14, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
One of the finest bluesmen in history, the real father of rock and roll, is brilliantly captured on this DVD. Excellent choice for anyone interested in this amazing man.
"When you thinkin' evil, you thinking 'bout the blues."
The Howlin'Wolf Story- The Secret of Rock & Roll March 9, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Essential part of Blues history! A simply must have!
pleased as punch March 9, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I thoroughly enjoyed the DVD. It told the story of his life, with great music, and included his family and friends. It made him come to life for me, and was informative of his life and relationships with those close to him.
 Review of the Howlin' Wolf Story February 20, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was generqally pleased with the music on this DVD. However, it did not meet my objective to obtain video footage of the Howlin' Wolf performing before a live audience. The recordings of him sitting in a chair in an empty room was not what I was searching for.
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