Howlin' Wolf: In Concert 1970

It's a safe bet that the appeal of Howlin' Wolf: In Concert will be limited primarily, if not exclusively, to bluesniks already familiar with the big man's work, as this DVD's technical limitations (which are considerable) will probably put off anyone else. However, those willing to overlook said flaws will find much to admire here, especially considering that there simply isn't a lot of Howlin' Wolf concert footage to be had. Born Chester Arthur Burnett (named after the 21st U.S. president) in Mississippi, the man who became known as Howlin' Wolf (not to mention "the Taildragger," "300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy," and other colorful monikers) was 60 when he appeared here at the Washington, D.C. Blues Festival in November 1970. Following a brief montage of "man on the street" interviews in which young African-Americans are asked if they know who the musician is (most don't), Wolf makes a dramatic first appearance, literally crawling onstage on his hands and knees while his band (including longtime guitarist Hubert Sumlin, drummer S.P. Leary, and pianist Sunnyland Slim) gets into the groove behind him. Thereafter, Wolf performs a few of his better known tunes ("Killing Floor," "Back Door Man," "How Many More Years"), blows some harp, and generally struts, prowls, and mugs shamelessly (if it's possible for a man his size to play the impish coquette —Wolf was at least 6' 3", and reportedly had size 16 feet—he indeed pulls it off) through a thoroughly entertaining gig. Unfortunately, producer-director Topper Carew's black & white film is hampered by dreadful sound and appalling camerawork (the other musicians are seen only rarely, while Wolf himself is often half out of the frame). Still, for larger music history collections, not to mention Wolf fans, this should be considered a strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)