I Ain't Superstitious

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"I Ain't Superstitious"
I Ain't Superstitious single cover.jpg
Single by Howlin' Wolf
B-side"Just Like I Treat You"
ReleasedDecember 1961 (1961-12) – 1962
RecordedChicago, December 1961
GenreBlues
Length2:55
LabelChess
Songwriter(s)Willie Dixon
Producer(s)Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Willie Dixon

"I Ain't Superstitious" is a song written by bluesman Willie Dixon and first recorded by Howlin' Wolf in 1961.[1] It recounts various superstitions, including that of a black cat crossing the pathway. The song has been recorded by a number of artists, including Jeff Beck, whose blues rock adaptation in 1968 was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time".

Original song[]

"I Ain't Superstitious" is a mid-tempo stop-time blues song that does not follow the typical chord progression.[2] Musician and writer Bill Janovitz described it as "not merely an electric version of the blues practiced in the Delta; it is something wholly new, a more aggressive and sophisticated Chicago cousin that acknowledges contemporary jazz, R&B, and pop forms".[3]

Backing Wolf (vocal and guitar) are pianist Henry Gray, guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Jimmy Rogers, drummer Sam Lay (drums), and with Willie Dixon on upright bass.[1] "I Ain't Superstitious" is included on several Howlin' Wolf compilation albums, including the 1969 Chess album Evil.

Jeff Beck version[]

English rock guitarist Jeff Beck recorded "I Ain't Superstitious" for the 1968 debut album Truth featuring Rod Stewart on vocals. Called "a well-known classic-rock-radio staple",[3] Beck's version is "an inventive and inspired recording that manages to inject even more power into the updated arrangement".[3] The song's prominent feature is Beck's guitar work: "At every break, Beck's aqueous wah-wah tone makes his instrument sound like it's talking".[4] His version was ranked number 86 on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time".[4]

Recognition[]

In 2017, Howlin' Wolf's original single version was inducted in to the Blues Hall of Fame as a "Classic of Blues Recording".[5] The induction statement described it as "an ominous Willie Dixon composition" and noted the popularity of Beck's version with rock audiences.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Shurman, Dick (1991). Howlin' Wolf: The Chess Box (Media notes). Howlin' Wolf. MCA/Chess Records. p. 29. CHD3-9332.
  2. ^ Hal Leonard (1995). The Blues. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Hal Leonard. pp. 96–97. ISBN 0-79355-259-1.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Janovitz, Bill. "Howlin' Wolf: 'I Ain't Superstitious' – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2003. Archived from the original on May 30, 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "2017 Hall of Fame Inductees: 'I Ain't Superstitious' – Howlin' Wolf (Chess, 1961)". Blues.org. Retrieved January 21, 2018.

External links[]

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