Willie Dixon: Preacher of the Blues (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage) by Mitsutoshi Inaba (2011)

In this detailed study the genius of Willie Dixon, legendary musician and composer for artists such as Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, Howlin’ Wolf and others on the Chicago Chess label is revealed.
Not only was Dixon, born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1915, convinced of the unity of music, spirit, message and performance; he also served as some particular “minister” of the power, the intensity and the conclusions and wisdom of the blues as translated into lyrics. Hence the book’s title “Preacher of the Blues”.
Collected from many interviews, both published and unpublished and through laborious research within the musician’s community (so to speak) and from countless hours of conversation with relatives and friends Mitsutoshi Inaba’s study for the first time shows the enormous influence of Dixon’s work. He penned such blues classics as “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “I’m Ready,” “Wang Dang Doodle” and many others. Maybe it is not completely wrong to speak of him as the equivalent to, well…., let’s say a certain Ellington or Davies, when it comes to composing the genre’s classics.
Dixon also became famous as the most important man behind Chess Records, working as both bassman, producer and arranger. Starting out with his small trio “The Big Three,” Willie Dixon forever left his mark on the sound, style and reception of modern blues in history. Writing for both top selling artist Waters and Burnett (Howlin’ Wolf), he also was caught somewhat in the middle of their ongoing competition, giving us the pleasure of having various excellent versions of his powerful songs.
In connecting the religious beliefs and experiences of Dixon and his environment with the earthy sound of his blues lyrics Inaba’s shows Dixon’s skill for the presentation of one important issue: both secular and religious beliefs and performances are actually not that far apart, though they are believed to be.
A very good read.

Review by Dr. A. Ebert (c) 2012

Mitsutoshi Inaba. Willie Dixon: Preacher of the Blues (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage). Scarecrow Press, 2011, 224 p.