Willie Dixon Archives
Willie Dixon: Sittin’ And Cryin’ The Blues (1963)
107 years ago today, the great Willie Dixon was born. Here’s a fantastic clip from 1963 with the legend performing “Sittin’ And Cryin’ The Blues”.
Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon: Bye Bye Blues
Time for one of the greats. Here’s Willie Dixon laying it down (and singing) on “Bye Bye Blues”, along with Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and Memphis Slim. Timeless!
Bass Players to Know: Willie Dixon
There comes a point in every bassist’s life when it’s time to play the blues. Perhaps it’s in a garage, where you’re jamming with some friends for the first time and with rudimentary technical skill and limited song knowledge, someone suggests playing a “Blues in E.” Or perhaps it’s during a lesson, where your teacher writes out the 12 bar...
The Most Influential Blues Bassists: Part 2
After reading the previous column in this two-part series, I’m hoping you’ve had a chance to check out some music featuring the playing of Willie Dixon and Duck Dunn. Their old school approaches to playing blues compliments the players they accompanied and reflects how novel full-band blues recordings were in the 1950’s and ’60’s. Early on, blues recordings typically only...
The Most Influential Blues Bassists: Part 1
One of the common bonds between a lot of us bass players is that we learned how to play by ear. Unlike other instruments, such as the clarinet or piano, we didn’t start out by taking private lessons, nor did we play in the fourth grade orchestra at school. Instead, we heard songs on the radio with cool bass lines...
Willie Dixon: I Got My Mojo Working
Bassist, songwriter, vocalist, arranger and producer Willie Dixon shows his stuff in this live recording of “I Got My Mojo Working”. Not sure of the year, or where this took place. If you know, please share in the comments below! (Update: Thanks to Ben, for sharing the info in the comments). Facebook friend Gary Comley shared this with us: “This...
Willie Dixon: Preserving the Legacy
In today’s fast paced world it’s not uncommon for us to overlook the legacies of those who paved the way for so many bassists who came later. Thankfully, a new website dedicated to the life and legacy of Willie Dixon will help ensure the legendary bluesman’s landmark contributions to bass playing, the blues, and helping his fellow musicians will get...
Willie Dixon: Bassology
Todays’ featured video showcases the amazing skills of bassist Willie Dixon, performing in 1966. This clip, filmed by the Canadian television network CBC, was re-discovered 30 years later and released on a DVD entitled . Special thanks to The Blues Blogger, for the tip and the great story.