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His Best (Howlin' Wolf album)

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His Best
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedApril 8, 1997 (1997-04-08)[1]
RecordedMay 14 or August 1951
May 25, 1954 – August 1964
GenreChicago blues
Length55:41
LabelMCA/Chess
ProducerSam Phillips, Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Willie Dixon, Andy McKaie[2]
CompilerAndy McKaie[2]
Howlin' Wolf chronology
Bluesmaster
(1996)
His Best
(1997)
His Best, Vol. 2
(1999)

His Best is a greatest hits album by American blues musician Howlin' Wolf. The album was originally released on April 8, 1997, by MCA/Chess Records,[1] and was one of a series of releases by MCA for the 50th anniversary of Chess Records that year (see 1997 in music). Ten years later – on April 17, 2007 – the album was reissued by Geffen Records as The Definitive Collection.[3]

The album features several of his most well-known recording including "Smokestack Lightnin'", "Spoonful", and "Killing Floor".

Recording and production

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The first two songs on the collection – "Moanin' at Midnight" and "How Many More Years" – were recorded at Memphis Recording Service on either May 14, or August 1951 and were produced by Sam Phillips, who would later produce Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. The rest of the songs on the album were recorded in Chicago from May 1954 to August 1964.[2] The original recordings were produced by either the Chess brothers (Leonard and Phil) and/or Willie Dixon, who recorded numerous artists for Chess Records. The reissue production was handled by Andy McKaie with digital remastering by Erick Labson.[2]

Artwork, packaging

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The album's art director was Vartan, the album was designed by Mike Fink. The photographs for the album were credited to Brian Smith, Joseph Sia, Frank Driggs, Ray Flerlage, Peter Amft, John Gibbs Rockwood, and the Universal Music Archives. The liner notes for the album were written by Mark Humphrey.[2]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Recording date[2]Length
1."Moanin' at Midnight"Chester BurnettMay 14, or August 19512:56
2."How Many More Years"BurnettMay 14, or August 19512:43
3."Evil (Is Going On)"Willie DixonMay 25, 19542:55
4."Forty-Four"BurnettOctober 19542:49
5."Smokestack Lightnin'"BurnettJanuary 19563:09
6."I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)"BurnettJuly 19, 19562:52
7."Who's Been Talkin'"BurnettJune 24, 19572:24
8."Sitting on Top of the World"Walter Vinson, Lonnie Chatmon; arr. BurnettDecember 19572:34
9."Howlin' for My Darlin'"Burnett, DixonJuly 19592:33
10."Wang Dang Doodle"DixonJune 19602:25
11."Back Door Man"DixonJune 19602:51
12."Spoonful"DixonJune 19602:45
13."Shake for Me"DixonJune 19612:18
14."The Red Rooster"DixonJune 19612:29
15."I Ain't Superstitious"DixonDecember 19612:56
16."Goin' Down Slow"James B. OdenDecember 19614:04
17."Three Hundred Pounds of Joy"DixonAugust 14, 19633:07
18."Hidden Charms"DixonAugust 14, 19632:23
19."Built for Comfort"DixonAugust 14, 19632:39
20."Killing Floor"BurnettAugust 19642:49

Personnel

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References

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  1. ^ a b Koda, Cub. "His Best – Howlin' Wolf: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Humphrey, Mark (2007). The Definitive Collection (CD liner). Howlin' Wolf. Geffen/Chess Records. B0008784-02.
  3. ^ Leggett, Steve. "The Definitive Collection – Howlin' Wolf: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
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