An accomplished slide guitarist, singer-songwriter and harmonica player from the Windy City, quadruple threat Studebaker John Grimaldi shows the gritty influence of Chicago legends like J.B. Hutto and Hound Dog Taylor on slide and Little Walter on blues harp on Howl With the Wolf, his eighth recording as a leader. Backed by his tight band, The Hawks, Studebaker John rocks out on “Juke Joint Jump” and wails with power on the menacing “Nothing for Nothing” and the instrumental “Harpology,” all great vehicles for his unrestrained, amplified Hohner honking. Then he turns around and rips it up with his ax on the shuffling “Meant to Be” and the Elmore James-ish roadhouse rocker “Rich Man” while singing with gritty elan throughout. A strong offering from a first-rate talent deserving of wider recognition.
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