Howlin' Wolf – Moanin' In The Moonlight

Moanin’ in the Moonlight is the debut album by blues legend Howlin’ Wolf, released in 1959 on Chess Records. It compiles singles recorded from 1951 to 1959, capturing the raw power of his early Chicago sessions. Backed by greats like Willie Johnson, Hubert Sumlin and Willie Dixon, Wolf’s booming voice and commanding presence are matched by searing guitar lines, thumping bass and primal harmonica. Songs like How Many More Years, Smokestack Lightnin’ and Evil became cornerstones of electric blues and influenced generations of rock musicians.

The album is notable for its unpolished, urgent sound, a blend of Mississippi Delta roots with the harder edge of Chicago blues. Wolf’s voice is feral and magnetic, cutting through sparse yet potent arrangements. Moanin’ in the Moonlight remains a landmark release, both a perfect introduction to Howlin’ Wolf’s catalogue and a vital piece of blues history.

Reviews

“A blues classic through and through.” — AllMusic

“One of the greatest albums of the 1950s, and essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the foundations of rock.” — Rolling Stone