Willie's Blues is Willie Dixon's debut album, released in 1959. Given almost equal credit on the album was his piano accompanist, Memphis Slim, who played on all of the tracks, and wrote the two numbers that were not penned by Dixon.

The album was issued on the Prestige Bluesville record label in the vinyl format. According to the original liner notes, the album was recorded during a two-hour recording span, in between flights. It was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Willie's Blues

The album was re-issued on CD in June 1992 on Charly - catalog reference CDCHD 349.

Willie's Blues

Critical reception

The Rolling Stone Album Guide wrote: "Imbued with a dark, after-hours ambience, the album is Dixon's strongest solo recording."

Willie's Blues

Track listing

All songs written by Willie Dixon, except where indicated. "Nervous" 3:15 "Good Understanding" 2:15 "That's My Baby" 3:22 "Slim's Thing" (Memphis Slim) 3:24 "That's All I Want Baby" 2:15 "Don't You Tell Nobody" 2:09 "Youth to You" 3:24 "Sittin' and Cryin' the Blues" 3:23 "Built for Comfort" 2:32 "I Got a Razor" 4:14 "Go Easy" (Memphis Slim) 5:52 "Move Me" 3:20

Personnel

Willie Dixon - double bass, vocals

Memphis Slim - piano

Gus Johnson - drums

Wally Richardson - guitar

Al Ashby - tenor saxophone

Harold Ashby - tenor saxophone

Technical

Esmond Edwards - supervisor

Dale Wright - liner notes

References

1959 debut albums

Bluesville Records albums

Willie Dixon albums

Albums produced by Esmond Edwards

Albums recorded at Van Gelder Studio