I'm So Glad

"I'm So Glad"
Single by Skip James
B-side"Special Rider Blues"
ReleasedFebruary 1931 (1931-02)
Recorded1931
GenreBlues
Length2:47
LabelParamount
Songwriter(s)Skip James

"I'm So Glad" is a Delta blues-style song originally recorded by American musician Skip James in 1931. Blues historian Gerard Herzhaft notes "This spiritual probably dates back to the beginning of the blues".[1] Blues writer Stephen Calt describes it as "a Two-Step piece marked by fiendishly fast playing [in] an eight bar arrangement comprised of single measures."[2] He adds it is not related to an earlier Lonnie Johnson tune.[2] Paramount Records released James' "I'm So Glad" on the then standard 10-inch 78 rpm shellac phonograph record in 1931.[1] It is included on various compilations as well as Hard Time Killing' Floor (2005), a complete collection of James' recordings on compact disc, by Yazoo Records.[2] James' song has been recorded by early blues artists, including Fred McDowell.[1]

Cream adaptation

"I'm So Glad"
Cream's studio version from the album Fresh Cream
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British rock group Cream reworked "I'm So Glad" using an electric blues rock arrangement. 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 album Goodbye (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 on Fresh Cream and 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 Purple added an intro and titled the song "Prelude: Happiness/I'm So Glad" for their first album Shades 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]

Other Cover Versions

Australian blues musician Darren Jack played a tremendous version of 'I'm So Glad' on his 2011 record Better Place.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Herzhaft, Gerard (1992). "I'm So Glad". Encyclopedia of the Blues. Fayetteville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press. pp. 454–455. ISBN 1-55728-252-8.
  2. ^ a b c d Calt, Stephen (2005). Hard Time Killing' Floor (Album notes). Skip James. Yazoo Records. pp. 4, 8. 2075.
  3. ^ a b c Roberty, Mark (1993). Slowhand: The Complete Life and Times of Eric Clapton. New York City: Crown Trade Paperbacks. pp. 30, 40–41. ISBN 0-517-88118-7.
  4. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Cream: Goodbye – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  5. ^ .Van Halen did a live rendition of the song at there legendary U.S. festival performance. Eder, Bruce. "Deep Purple: Shades of Deep Purple – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved January 24, 2021.