The R&B charts of the Nineteen Fifties had been worthwhile territory for Muddy Waters. After scoring his first high ten hit in that format in 1951, with “Louisiana Blues,” he reached that higher echelon of the countdown on no fewer than 13 additional events up till 1958.
The ninth of these high tenners, as ever on Chess Information, was “I’m Ready,” the Willie Dixon composition of which Muddy’s was the primary recording, taped on September 1, 1954. By late October, it was on the R&B listings and climbing to No.4 in a nine-week keep.
“I’m Ready” was the tune containing Dixon’s basic piece of blues phrasing, “I’m drinkin’ TNT, I’m smokin’ dynamite.” Willie himself was on the session, taking part in bass in a gaggle of all the abilities that included Little Walter on harmonica, Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Otis Spann on piano and Fred Beneath on drums.
Many bluesy covers
Spann himself would document a model of the tune in 1968, because it grew right into a much-covered blues staple with recordings from either side of the Atlantic. Buddy Man and his frequent collaborator Junior Wells every did it, as did Humble Pie on their third, self-titled album in 1970. One other British blues devotee, Lengthy John Baldry, launched his in 1971, and Scottish rock R&B favourite Frankie Miller tackled it in 1973.
Later readings of “I’m Ready” adopted by George Thorogood and the Destroyers; by Paul Rodgers, earlier than his tenure with Queen however with Brian Could on guitar; and by British bandleader and TV character Jools Holland, along with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, on the 2002 album Jools Holland’s Massive Band Rhythm & Blues, with a visitor look by Steve Winwood.
Waters himself returned to the tune because the title monitor and lead tune of his 1978 album, which received a Grammy and was produced by Johnny Winter.
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