Willie Dixon- What a man! (1915-1992)

Subject: Willie Dixon- What a man!
From:
Date: 05 Oct 98 - 03:27 PM

Just before we were interrupted, I had been informed that the song I had requested the words for was yet another fine song written by Willie Dixon. I don't think that he gets the recognition he deserves for a body of work so universally played by just about everybody. What are your favorites?

Subject: RE: Willie Dixon- What a man!
From: Roger Himler
Date: 05 Oct 98 - 09:12 PM

Dear Anon: (And you have written your own fair share of songs).

Being king-sized myself, "Built for Comfort" has a permanent place in my repertoire. I have added a Blind Lemon Jefferson verse that I heard once so it is thoroughly folk-processed:

Some like the Cadillac, some like the T-Model Ford, Ford got the chassis, but it can't haul no heavy load.

Of course, I like to do "Little Red Rooster" whenever I break out my slide.

I, too, think Willie does not get the credit he deserves. I suspect in part it is because Willie, was blatantly commercial and successful. In general, this is not how blues players act. Certainly, some of his contemporaries were also successful, but their roots were deeper in the Delta.

At times, his work is almost a parody of the blues style. But he had a fine sense of humor, he could turn out wonderful double entendre's, and could hit a four-four beat with the best of them. God bless Willie Dixon.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Willie Dixon- What a man!
From: Art Thieme
Date: 05 Oct 98 - 11:04 PM

I'm another "large" guy.

"300 Pounds of Joy" is a fine one. "Nervous" too. Geez, there's so many that Wolf used to do every Tuesday night at Big John's on Wells St. in Chicago. Muddy was on Monday night's. Wednesday was Little Walter until he passed on...

Ah, nostalgia !

Subject: RE: Willie Dixon- What a man!
From: Jon W.
Date: 06 Oct 98 - 01:15 AM

Hootchie Cootchie Man, of course. Also Wang Dang Doodle - I'm not sure he wrote that one but I heard him play it once on TV.

Subject: RE: Willie Dixon- What a man!
From: The Shambles
Date: 06 Oct 98 - 09:32 AM

Sorry about the anon, thing, I forgot to write in the box.

Hey Art, talk about nostalgia not being what it used to be. Muddy on Monday, Wolf on Tuesday and Little Walter on Wednesday! Sweet home Chicago! Did Willie write that one too? This thread is in danger of becoming like a weight-watchers column.

Subject: RE: Willie Dixon- What a man!
From: Earl
Date: 06 Oct 98 - 10:09 AM

There is an excellent 2CD boxed set from Chess of songs written by Willie Dixon, recorded by the original artists. It includes everyone you would expect, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Bo Diddley and a couple dozen lesser known Chess artists. It is not only a good source for his songs but a great sampler of Chicago blues.

For another, less commercial, side of Willie Dixon, check out his album "Mighty Earthquake and Hurricane." The songs tend to be more cynical looks at society, religion and death. Less memorable but very interesting.

Subject: RE: Willie Dixon- What a man!
From: Jon W.
Date: 06 Oct 98 - 10:42 AM

Willie Dixon didn't write "Sweet Home Chicago" unless it was when he was very young. Robert Johnson recorded it in 1936 or 37, Scrapper Blackwell recorded a very similar song called "Kokomo Blues" in the late 1920s I think.