STLBlues Reviews

By Cornbread

THE SONGS OF WILLIE DIXON
{1999 | Telarc}

Do you know the name Willie Dixon? If not, you should. Dixon is one of blues music’s greatest songwriters, composer and bass player. Willie Dixon was born in Mississippi, was a huge part of the Chicago blues scene and passed away in 1992.

Dixon has been inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Just about everybody has covered his tunes; Clapton, the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and many, many more.

The Performers and Guests:

Tab Benoit - vocal and guitar on song 4
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - vocal and guitar on song 14
Deborah Coleman - vocal and guitar on song 12
Ronnie Earl - lead guitar on song 11
John Ellison – vocal on song 8
Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson – vocal on song 11
Calvin Jones - bass
Eddie Kirkland - vocal and guitar on song 3
Sonny Landreth – guitar on song 7
David Maxwell - piano
John Mooney - vocal and guitar on song 2
Kenny Neal - vocal, guitar, and harmonica on song 5
Christine Ohlman – vocal on songs 7 and 8
Jerry Portnoy - harmonica
Eddie Shaw - saxophone, vocal
Willie Smith - drums, vocal
Doug Wainoris - guitars, vocal

The Songs:

1. Spoonful – It’s a little weird hearing this instrumental version by Doug Wainoris without the vocals of Jim Morrison. We get a bit of dobro or slide guitar.

2. When the Lights Go Out – a heaping helping of bass shuffle, piano and slow soulful vocals served up just the way Cornbread likes it.

3. Do Me Right – an excellent swingin song. You can feel the mojo in the sax solo.

4. Mellow Down Easy – a bit mellow for Tab Benoit although we do get a decent guitar solo, good harmonica playing.

5. Bring It On Home – excellent slow blues, slow vocals and slow harmonica. The song had a steady beat, mighty fine y’all.

6. I Ain't Superstitious – Listen to Eddie Shaws vocals on this song and he’s a saxophone player. Deep, raspy bluesy vocals over piano. An awesome version.

7. Crazy for My Baby – not crazy about the vocals, the piano makes up for it, add in the guitar solo and it's still a good song.

8. Wang Dang Doodle – I guess I can relate to a wang dang doodle, interesting version with male and female vocals. Howlin’ Wolf still does it best.

9. The Same Thing – a bit delta bluesesque from drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, I liked it a lot!

10. Shakin' the Shack – a fast paced instrumental with dueling piano and harmonica.

11. My Love Will Never Die – a great song wrapped around loads of guitar snippets.

12. Good Understanding – sexy low vocals and a swinging shuffle feel.

13. If the Sea was Whiskey – cool song title. Well done harmonica playing.

14. I Just Want to Make Love to You – (as long as your wang dang doesn’t doodle)
this song has been covered and re-covered more than grandma’s couch. All that
being said this is a good version. Gatemouth sounds good.