ALEX DIXON
The late legendary Willie Dixon, who could rightfully boast “I am the blues,” began the Blues Heaven Foundation in 1970 to promote the music and musicians of America’s greatest art form. One can only imagine how proud he would be to see that he helped beget a “blues heaven” for all of us with The Vintage Room (Dixon Landing Music) by The Blues Experience featuring Cash McCall. Uniting two generations with the extraordinary talents of the veteran Chess Records sideman and Willie’s grandson, producer/pianist Alex Dixon, it is a magnificent contribution to “vintage” Chicago blues at its contemporary best.
Alex Dixon was literally born to the blues April 23, 1975 on the South Side of Chicago where he was raised by grand pop Willie. On top of that purebred pedigree, young Alex was taught to play the 88s by postwar Chicago luminaries Leonard “Baby Doo” Caston and Lafayette Leake and is at present the only Dixon carrying on the enormous family legacy. Before Willie’s passing in 1992 Alex performed with him many times, including at the Chicago Blues Festival, and co-wrote songs for Hidden Charms. In 2007 he formed Dixon Landing Music and The Vintage Room is the first offering from his label. Along with McCall and Dixon, the historic release also features ace harmonicist Steve Bell, the son of the late Chicago virtuoso Carey Bell, on the 11 outstanding tracks. Save for the deep rocking blues versions of Willie’s classics “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” “I’m Ready” and “Bring It on Home,” seven of the remaining numbers are original compositions by Dixon as McCall chips in with his wistful soul ballad “Mama.” All are driven by Dixon’s rollicking blues piano providing a fat pad for McCall’s stinging guitar and passionate vocals. Showing his grandfather’s wit and wisdom on “Slice of that Pie” that chronicles the workingman’s blues, and sly, carnal braggadocio on “One Touch,” perhaps it is the opening track that says it all for this landmark recording: “Helluva Time”.
