A massive act of hubris to make a multi-part video series about a 42 year old album that failed. Just because you can doesn't always mean you should. At least I'm aware of my own self-indulgence... 🙄
One of the most underrated album of all time. I own two copies-one for listening and the other still sealed in its original shrink wrap after all these years. 🙌🏻
Oh my God Bill!? 8000 units!? Well I was one of them. As a metro Detroit resident kid born in 1967, I remember riding my bike to the record store to buy your album in 1982 knowing nothing about your history or involvement with so many of my other favorite artists (Stevie especially). I just heard your stuff on WJLB93.1 and WLBS 102.7 in Detroit. I still have your vinyl to this day and have NO plans on getting rid of it! In fact, I put your songs from that album on SOOOOO many playlists even today to share with people. That album is an absolute CLASSIC!!! I also purchased your next two albums (?) and to this day, as a keyboard player/producer, still regard "And It Rained All Through The Night" as a near per perfect song. So glad to have found you on TH-cam. NEVER under estimate the power your music has had an effect on people! Such an honor to be able to tall you directly. Jon
Ooooooooooh! One of my all time favorite discoveries when I was in college. My brother and I listened to it constantly. Also led me to Finis Henderson and his following release.
Are you sure that it only sold 8000 copies back then / that the record company was honest with you? I was born in 1984 and bought my copy of “Wolf” as second-hand vinyl here in Switzerland. A German pressing. I bought it because of Michael Jackson's vocal contributions and I can say: of all the recordings on which MJ is featured, it's one of my favorites. It's currently ready for my next monthly volunteer radio show (unrelated to this TH-cam channel) on a local station. My favorite songs are “Call Me” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”. And actually also the complete side B. Nice, you realized the album! Thanks for the video, I'm looking forward to Part 2. The anecdote with the “stolen” melody from Stevie Wonder is great and exciting, because all composers can be influenced in some way... It's nice and interesting how Stevie Wonder supported you. Everyone speaks so positively about him.
@@Thr3-Words The rights are with another company in Europe. I'm trying to figure out that part because Solar Records sold their catalog some years ago, and things are kind of mixed up. Thanks for letting me know that they aren't on the streaming services there. 'Hard Way' is missing everywhre, except as so-called bonus tracks to a CD Unidisc Music put out.
I wish he would discuss how he got roped into producing Vanity's debut release, "Wild Animal," on Motown in 1984. Now that's a story Prince fans and fans of Bill would like to hear!!! What was it like working with her in the studio?
@@billwolfer4020 Hi Bill Just a thought as your channel evolves, do you think you would ever consider critiquing some songs of today as I have as an independent songwriter/producer released and doesn't get many streams. The band I write for gig locally in UK pubs who mostly want to hear covers these days rather than original stuff?
@@nickpmusic I doubt anything I did would help. The music scene is so very different now. It's a harder world now--we are drowning in 'content' and sometimes it seems to me that people aren't really all that interested in listening to music. My own music only videos on my channel get far less views than the story videos. You just have to be persistent and find you niche.
I programmed the drums on the album. I enjoyed the breakdance movement at the time, but I don't know if I was influenced by it. Who knows, maybe, it's hard to say.
A massive act of hubris to make a multi-part video series about a 42 year old album that failed. Just because you can doesn't always mean you should. At least I'm aware of my own self-indulgence... 🙄
No, I can be but it isn’t automatically hubris to do it. You seem anything but hubristic while doing it
I found this album after hearing "so shy" on youtube somewhere, now its one of my favorites!
Proud to be one of the 8,000 👍
One of the most underrated album of all time. I own two copies-one for listening and the other still sealed in its original shrink wrap after all these years. 🙌🏻
I guess I'm a bit late to the party (42 years late!), but I'm here and I'm listening and loving this!
i gotta say , Call me is one of the songs i listen to all the time. PURE FUNK
Oh my God Bill!? 8000 units!? Well I was one of them. As a metro Detroit resident kid born in 1967, I remember riding my bike to the record store to buy your album in 1982 knowing nothing about your history or involvement with so many of my other favorite artists (Stevie especially). I just heard your stuff on WJLB93.1 and WLBS 102.7 in Detroit. I still have your vinyl to this day and have NO plans on getting rid of it! In fact, I put your songs from that album on SOOOOO many playlists even today to share with people. That album is an absolute CLASSIC!!!
I also purchased your next two albums (?) and to this day, as a keyboard player/producer, still regard "And It Rained All Through The Night" as a near per perfect song.
So glad to have found you on TH-cam. NEVER under estimate the power your music has had an effect on people!
Such an honor to be able to tall you directly.
Jon
Thank you, Jon, those are very kind words indeed!
I can’t wait for part ii.
Hey bill I love the introduction before after 2x is so real
Ooooooooooh! One of my all time favorite discoveries when I was in college. My brother and I listened to it constantly. Also led me to Finis Henderson and his following release.
Are you sure that it only sold 8000 copies back then / that the record company was honest with you? I was born in 1984 and bought my copy of “Wolf” as second-hand vinyl here in Switzerland. A German pressing. I bought it because of Michael Jackson's vocal contributions and I can say: of all the recordings on which MJ is featured, it's one of my favorites. It's currently ready for my next monthly volunteer radio show (unrelated to this TH-cam channel) on a local station.
My favorite songs are “Call Me” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”. And actually also the complete side B. Nice, you realized the album!
Thanks for the video, I'm looking forward to Part 2. The anecdote with the “stolen” melody from Stevie Wonder is great and exciting, because all composers can be influenced in some way... It's nice and interesting how Stevie Wonder supported you. Everyone speaks so positively about him.
Yes, they were being honest at that time. It just didn't sell, for whatever reason. That happens sometimes. Thanks for the kind words!
I wish WOLF was available on Apple Music
It is. Search using my name. They don't have the so-called 'bonus tracks,' but they have WOLF.
@ maybe not in Europe. ‘Hard Way’ and ‘Wolf’ are both missing here. They’re not on Spotify either
@@Thr3-Words The rights are with another company in Europe. I'm trying to figure out that part because Solar Records sold their catalog some years ago, and things are kind of mixed up. Thanks for letting me know that they aren't on the streaming services there. 'Hard Way' is missing everywhre, except as so-called bonus tracks to a CD Unidisc Music put out.
I wish he would discuss how he got roped into producing Vanity's debut release, "Wild Animal," on Motown in 1984. Now that's a story Prince fans and fans of Bill would like to hear!!! What was it like working with her in the studio?
Stay tuned--I'm going chronologically here...
@@billwolfer4020 Hi Bill Just a thought as your channel evolves, do you think you would ever consider critiquing some songs of today as I have as an independent songwriter/producer released and doesn't get many streams. The band I write for gig locally in UK pubs who mostly want to hear covers these days rather than original stuff?
@@nickpmusic I doubt anything I did would help. The music scene is so very different now. It's a harder world now--we are drowning in 'content' and sometimes it seems to me that people aren't really all that interested in listening to music. My own music only videos on my channel get far less views than the story videos. You just have to be persistent and find you niche.
@ I totally agree and I feel the same way. It is what it is. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Love the arrangement in "call me" what drum machine was used on that? Was it a line drum or a DMX?
@@issiewizzie Thx. It was a Linn LM-1.
With the song, Camouflage, who did the Linn Drum Programming ? Were you influenced by the breakdance movement in LA at the time, with this track ?
I programmed the drums on the album. I enjoyed the breakdance movement at the time, but I don't know if I was influenced by it. Who knows, maybe, it's hard to say.
Is it on any streaming platform??
It is. Just saw it.
@@marcoaraujo2817 Yah, it's on all of them as far as I know.
Cliffhanger?!?!??!!!
Ha! You won't have to wait long.