Chances are the first Blues tune you ever heard was written by Willie Dixon. The Chicago Blues master wrote hit after hit for Blues icons, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, and many others. Tonight, thousands of musicians will play Willie's music in clubs around the world as they have, and will, for decades. Here are ten of his best that came from the Blues Genius, Willie Dixon.
1. I Just Want to Make Love to You
You can't put a musical message more simply than this. A no beating around the bush, cutting right to the chase, what-part-of-this-don't-you-understand kind of message. Written for a Muddy Waters session, the song has had three commercial lives: Muddy Waters slower sultry version, the Rolling Stones' fast version, and Foghat's rock version that became the biggest commercial success for the song.Listen:
2. Hoochie Coochie Man
Over the years this tune has been covered by a wide array of artists like The Allman Brothers, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Dion, Jimi Hendrix, Motörhead, and The New York Dolls, The catchy moniker along with a deep-down groove make this track irresistible. Muddy once again made this tune his own with his classic performance.Listen:
3. Wang Dang Doodle
Arguably the greatest party song of all time. The priceless cast of characters, Automatic Slim, Butcher Knife Totin' Annie, Abyssinian Ned, and Kudu-Crawlin' Red make it easy for you to imagine the party that went down. Howlin' Wolf had the first hit with it but Koko Taylor made the biggest splash with this party anthem. "....all night long...all night long."Listen:
4. I'm Ready
This ultra-swinging tune was first made famous by Muddy Waters and it has gone on to become a Blues standard played in clubs and bars every night around the world. The you-better-get-out-of-my-way-sucka lyrics reek of bulletproof youth and immortal confidence. Covered extensively by many Blues artists, Aerosmith added the tune to their repertoire.Listen:
5. Built for Comfort
Howlin' Wolf's massive image and this Dixon tune combined for gold. A hulk of a man, Wolf (Chester Burnett) found the perfect vehicle for his build. Some folk built like this, some folk built like that But the way I'm built, you shouldn't call me fat. Covered by Lightnin' Hopkins, Taj Mahal, and rocker Pat Travers.Listen:
6. Three Hundred Pounds of Joy
Howlin' Wolf's once again used his physique to compliment the tune. Wolf's version has got to be one of the low-down funkiest grooves of all time. With Hubert Sumlin's nasty guitar lines and Wolf's attitude, it's like someone hit your with, well, 300 pounds.Listen:
7. Spoonful
Howlin' Wolf nailed this tune. The medium tempo swing groove has a unique pulse on the beat, propelled by a strong bass line (Dixon was a bass player). Covered in the 1960's by Canned Heat and Cream, the groove screams Wille Dixon. "...That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful."Listen:
8. Little Red Rooster
Recorded by dozens of artists including: Howlin' Wolf, The Rolling Stones, Otis Rush, The Doors, Big Mama Thornton, Grateful Dead, and Sam Cooke. This slow groove seems to have a cross-over appeal as many people unfamiliar with the Blues seem to be familiar with the song.Listen:
9. Back Door Man
Dixon's anthem to infidelity. The term "Back Door Man" along with "Midnight Creeper" live deep within the language of the Blues. The Door version turned the most heads as Jim Morrison was a natural "Back Door Man". Lock your doors!Listen:
10. I Ain't Superstitious
Several of Willie Dixon's songs have dealt with witchcraft and Voodoo. Howlin' Wolf's version hit to the bone as his voice was the perfect vehicle to get the chills running though your spine. Interesting cover by Rod Stewart with Jeff Beck on guitar.Listen:
