Tomas Doncker Band - Moanin' At Midnight: The Howlin' Wolf Project (Album Review)
Monday, 23 June 2014
Written by Sam Hailes
Tomas Doncker has described ‘Moanin’ At Midnight’, his tribute to Chicago blues legend Howlin’ Wolf, as a “hardcore blues record”.
But, as the album kicks off with Evil, there is a fearsome combination of blues, funk and soul on full display. A ferocious guitar solo midway through the track shows that Doncker, who emerged from New York’s no wave scene in the early ‘80s, means business and his band give it their all.
Doncker’s work as a producer, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist over the past 20 years has built the reputation needed to attempt as difficult a project as this. Tribute albums must strike a tricky balance between staying true to the original artist’s sound, while bringing something new and fresh to the table.
Duly, one of the reasons ‘Moanin’ at Midnight’ works is because of the obvious similarities between Howlin’ Wolf and Doncker, who both possess outstanding voices and are masters of their instruments.
Even those who wouldn’t normally pick up a blues record should consider giving ‘Moanin’...’ a spin as it’s a record that will simultaneously help you appreciate both a blues legend and a contemporary musician deserving of wider recognition.
I Ain’t Superstitious and Spoonful stand out for all the right reasons and the production, by Doncker and James Dellatacoma, is, unsurprisingly, much clearer than on any of Howlin Wolf’s recordings. Yet there’s also a charming roughness to the way the tribute tracks have been put together. They are unpolished, raw and passionate and there’s plenty of gusto to be found on Doncker’s latest project.
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