Willie Dixon’s reputation rests primarily with his incomparable catalogue of compositions and secondarily with his outstanding work as a producer. During his early recording career he made some sides as a vocalist, with the Big Three Trio, the Four Jumps of Jive, or under his own name, but when he found his niche supplying material and session direction for the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and Otis Rush, he pushed his own career as a featured artist to the background. When blues revival audiences of the 1960s grew savvy enough to recognize Dixon’s enormous behind-the-scenes contributions, Dixon was also astute enough to realize that now, rather than trying to market his songs to other singers, he could step out front and reap some glory and additional financial rewards for himself. I Am the Blues was one of the catalysts for his new venture as a singing bandleader. With his aptly named Chicago Blues All Stars behind him (including Walter Horton, Johnny Shines, and Mighty Joe Young), the maestro put his own stamp on nine of his songs made famous by Wolf, Muddy, Rush, and Willie Mabon (and, by this time, also in cover versions by the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Mose Allison, Johnny Rivers, Jeff Beck, Cream, the Rolling Stones, and others). While many critics were quick to agree with Dixon himself that he was not as strong a vocalist as the artists he had produced the songs for, the album became something of an instant monument as a portfolio of masterworks straight from the originator, and became a favorite among many Dixon fans.
Tracks:
1. Back Door Man
2. I Can’t Quit You, Baby
3. Seventh Son
4. Spoonful
5. I Ain’t Superstitious
6. You Shook Me
7. (I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man
8. Little Red Rooster
9. Same Thing
Willie Dixon, vocals & string bass with Walter Horton, harmonica; Lafayette Leake, piano; Mighty Joe Young and Johnny Shines, guitars; Sylvester Boines, electric bass; Clifton James, drums. Recorded in Chicago, 1969. Released as Columbia CS 9987 (LP) in 1970.
–Jim O’Neal
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