Chicago blues legend Willie Dixon was both house bassist and songwriter for the seminal Chess label in the 1950s through the early 1960s, providing material and/or accompaniment for Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Koko Taylor, et al. His songs have left an indelible mark on the identity of urban blues. His many classics are known primarily in their renditions by other stellar blues luminaries, but his fully engaged manner lit up his own studio work as well.