Moanin’ in the Moonlight

The man born Chester Arthur Bennett idolized folk and country singers, but his unmistakable delivery was too powerful for a blue yodel. “I couldn’t do no yodelin’,” he said, “so I turned to howlin’.” Howlin’ Wolf’s voice, combined with his blistering guitar and harmonica, helped put Chess Records and Chicago blues on everyone’s radar. Moanin’ in the Moonlight, Wolf’s first long-playing album from 1958 collected a dozen singles he had recorded over the preceding decade, including the favorites “Smokestack Lightnin’,” “Evil” and “How Many More Years.”

Bring home the sound of America’s greatest blues label in high fidelity with the Chess Records 75th Anniversary Series. These audiophile reissues of classic albums and compilations from the Chess discography are remastered from the original analog tapes and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings (QRP). Each disc is packaged in tip-on gatefold sleeves printed on high-grade board.

ABOUT CHESS RECORDS 75th ANNIVERSARY SERIES

Like America itself, the story of Chess Records is a tale of opportunity in new lands, crossing lines of color and culture to create rhythm and blues music that influenced listeners the world over. Chess’ stunning roster – and its canny founders – enhanced and transformed the blues from folk music to popular sound. 

Founded in 1950 by Polish immigrant brothers Leonard and Phil Chess, Chess Records emerged from the south side of Chicago, but its influence is felt across the world and generations of popular music – from the British Invasion acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton citing Chess artists as influences to today’s marquee acts that include Beyoncé, Jack White, Questlove and Bruce Springsteen

In 2025, Chess Records celebrates its 75th anniversary. To mark this historic milestone, Chess will launch a comprehensive 75th anniversary series this October with a curated selection of audiophile vinyl reissues, kicking off with Muddy Waters’ The Best of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf’s Moanin’ in the Moonlight.

The ongoing monthly series will showcase releases from legendary artists spanning across the renowned Chess roster, including Chuck Berry’s Berry Is on Top and Etta James’ At Last on November 21st, and Little Walter’s The Best of Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson II’s The Real Folk Blues on December 12th

PRODUCT DETAILS

• 1LP Wide

• Acoustic Sounds audiophile vinyl reissues from the legendary Chess Records catalog 

• Mastered from the original analog tapes

• Manufactured at Quality Record Pressings (QRP) on 180-gram vinyl

• Tip-On gatefold sleeves printed on high-grade board