Without this guy several rock genres would look quite different! So many music that I love is inspired by Willie Dixon's playing and songwriting, I'm sure you have a few songs of him in your heart too. I didn't placed this thread in the blues or rock 'n roll section with purpose by the way, because the diversity of the musicians he inspired are huge! From folk rock to blues, and of course rock. So, what are you favourite songs by him and which covers and different versions? I wanna know!
I really dig "Spoonful" by Cream! And "When The Lights Go Out" done by another bluesman (cant think of his name right now) and "Little Red Rooster " - dig the Stones version and The Yardbirds and " I cant Quit You Baby" Zep's version...... wow! great thread...cant believe no one else has posted here yet.....if they only knew that they we are all willie dixion fans inadvertently......
For sure! Spoonful is a really good one indeed. I like Crossroads even more though, but that's of another blues master. :tongue: Howlin' Wolf's version of Spoonful is equally great as Cream's I think. It's really hard to choose, since there are so unbelievable many enjoyable takes on songs of him! One of my favourites is of course Back door man by the Doors. There are a lot of bands that played this song pretty good, but the Doors really hit it on the head in my opinion. Second one I adore is Bring it on home by Hawkwind, but surely closely followed by Led Zeppelin's take on it. Both absolutely great. and although I kind of heard it too much Whole lotta love has to be mentioned as well. It's just too great to leave it out. I also think Bakerloo's version of Bring it on home is worth mentioning as well, love it! Ah well, it seems this song is hard to ruin, cause there are several more that I enjoy. Another one I'm totally in love with is a folk rock tune (!) by Davey Graham called My babe. Now, I haven't heard the original, but this version feels so great to me . He also does a sublime version of I'm ready! Well, I love that old folk blues, but I highly dig that early mix of blues and rock as well. Howlin Wolf does that really good with Dixon's songs like Do the do and Wang Dang Doodle. Bo Diddley is the master of blues rockin for me personally, but his covers of Willie Dixon aren't among my favs of him.. Last one I need to add is of course the Hoochie coochie man, of which exist countless great versions . I appreciate the ones of John Kay & the Sparrow (which is really good in a different way then Steppenwolf), Steppenwolf (check out that guitar!), Muddy Waters and last but not least Davey Graham (folk rock version!) the most.
LOVE Howlin' Wolf! His voice in "Spoonful" is incomparable! And Back Door Man - how could I have left that one out! It is one of my alltime favorite Doors tunes..... I said it once, Ill say it again.....I cannot believe no one else has posted here yet!
The Chocolate Watchband did a great live version of 'I just want to make love to you' ,and i like the Lou Rawls version too
I just checked out versions of My babe by Diddley and Little Walter, both great as well! Although I still like Grahams version more, pretty different take on it.
Great thread. I have 3 favorites. 1. You Cant Judge a Book by it's Cover-Roy Buchanan 2. Spoonful-Cream 3. Wang Dang Doodle-Savoy Brown
I just take the track list from his album called "I Am The Blues" and add an artist that covered it. 1. Back Door Man - Doors 2. I Can't Quit You Baby - Led Zeppelin 3. The Seventh Son - Johnny Rivers 4. Spoonful - Cream 5. I Ain't Superstitious - Jeff Beck w/Rod Stewart 6. You Shook Me - Led Zeppelin 7. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man - Allman Brothers 8. The Little Red Rooster - Doors 9. The Same Thing - Allman Brothers
