I'm So Glad
| "I'm So Glad" | |
|---|---|
| SinglebySkip James | |
| B-side | "Special Rider Blues" |
| Released | February 1931 |
| Recorded | 1931 |
| Genre | Blues |
| Length | 2:47 |
| Label | Paramount |
| Songwriter(s) | Skip James |
"I'm So Glad"is aDelta blues-style song originally recorded by American musicianSkip Jamesin 1931. Blues historian Gerard Herzhaft notes "This spiritual probably dates back to the beginning of the blues".[1]Blues writerStephen Caltdescribes it as "a Two-Step piece marked by fiendishly fast playing [in] an eight bar arrangement comprised of single measures."[2]Calt also adds the song is not related to an earlierLonnie Johnsontune with a similar title.[2]
Paramount Recordsreleased James' "I'm So Glad" on the then-standard10-inch 78rpmshellac phonograph record in 1931.[1]It is included on various compilations as well asHard Time Killing' Floor(2005), a CD collecting all of James's known recordings, issued byYazoo Records.[2]
James's version is noted for itsirony,as the upbeat melody and repeated refrain of "I'm so glad" are set against lyrics that describe restlessness and romantic anguish.
James' song has been recorded by early blues artists, includingFred McDowell.[1]
Cream adaptation
[edit]
BritishrockgroupCreamreworked "I'm So Glad" using an electricblues rockarrangement. In September 1966, they recorded it for their debut album,Fresh Cream.[3]The song was a feature of their live performances and a recording from October 1968 is included on the albumGoodbye(1969).[3]An album review included: "it's the rampaging 'I'm So Glad' that illustrates how far they've come; compare it to the original studio version onFresh Creamand it's easy to see just how much further they're stretching their improvisation. "[4]
As a result of Cream's albums and performances, "I'm So Glad" gained a much wider audience and other artists often based their versions on Cream's.[3]Skip James was pleased with the new interpretation of his song and remarked: "That piece is absolutely gonna stand."[2]Deep Purpleadded an intro and titled the song "Prelude: Happiness/I'm So Glad" for their first albumShades of Deep Purple(1968); "Jon Lord's organ flourishes, weaving classical riffs, and unexpected arabesques into "I'm So Glad," which sounds rather majestic here ", according to AllMusic's Bruce Eder.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abc Herzhaft, Gerard (1992). "I'm So Glad".Encyclopedia of the Blues.Fayetteville, Arkansas:University of Arkansas Press.pp.454–455.ISBN1-55728-252-8.
- ^abcd Calt, Stephen(2005).Hard Time Killing' Floor(Album notes).Skip James.Yazoo Records.pp. 4, 8. 2075.
- ^abc Roberty, Mark (1993).Slowhand: The Complete Life and Times of Eric Clapton.New York City:Crown Trade Paperbacks.pp.30, 40–41.ISBN0-517-88118-7.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Cream:Goodbye– Review ".AllMusic.RetrievedJanuary 24,2021.
- ^.Van Halendid a live rendition of the song at there legendary U.S. festival performance. Eder, Bruce."Deep Purple:Shades of Deep Purple– Review ".AllMusic.RetrievedJanuary 24,2021.
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