| "I'm So Glad" | |
|---|---|
| SinglebySkip James | |
| B-side | "Special Rider Blues" |
| Released | February 1931 (1931-02) |
| Recorded | 1931 |
| Genre | Blues |
| Length | 2:47 |
| Label | Paramount |
| 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]
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]
