The Real Folk Blues (LP)

Few folks are as aptly named and few albums are as aptly titled as this one. Wolf was a powerhouse of a singer, a blues belter who positively growled his words. Backed by a Chicago blues band of unrestrained force, the result is some of the strongest and long lasting recordings in the history of electric blues. Guitarist Hubert Sumlin deserves much of the credit. His piercing wails punctuate tracks such as "Killing Floor," "Three Hundred Pounds of Joy," and "Sittin' On Top of the World"--yet Wolf is always center stage. These tracks were cut between 1956 and 1966, and include both Wolf's sterling originals as well as a trio of Willie Dixon numbers tailor-made for the big man.