Willie Dixon’s songs have been recorded by artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, but there is little doubt that Howlin’ Wolf was the finest interpreter. His versions of Shake For Me, Back Door Man and Spoonful, among others, helped to define the blues in the 1960s. Not for nothing has Howlin’ Wolf regularly been featured in any list of the 100 Greatest Artists of all Time. This particular album, an eponymous collection first issued in 1962 (the original featured a rocking horse on the cover, leading to the album sometimes being called The Rockin’ Chair Album) was a gathering of some six singles released on Chess Records between 1960 and 1962. It includes all three titles referred to above, as well as two titles written by Howlin’ Wolf in Who’s Been Talkin’ and Tell Me. For the most part, the musicians featured are Howlin’ Wolf (vocals), Hubert Sumlin (guitar), Johnny Jones (piano), Willie Dixon (bass) and Sammy Law (drums), but whoever is playing, the quality remains constant throughout.

1. Shake For Me
2. The Red Rooster
3. You'll Be Mine
4. Who'se Been Talkin'
5. Wang Dang Doodle
6. Little Baby
7. Spoonful
8. Going Down Slow
9. Down In The Bottom
10. Back Door Man
11. Howlin' For My Baby
12. Tell Me