Artist > Otis Spann

This album features the great Otis Spann (ex Muddy Waters sideman) in company with early Fleetwood Mac members, Peter Green, Danny Kirwin and John Mc Vie. Unlike many meetings between the worlds of rock and blues, this one produces consistently great music and actually sounds like an authentic Chicago blues session. Otis shows what we all knew anyway, that he was a worldly inspired vocalist and of course that Peter Green has the right to be considered as good as any blues guitarist that ever lived. His solos on this album are the very model of economy and deep emotion. This album is no flaccid jam session but a set of great songs performed with real passion and commitment by people who were born to play the blues. Upon one listen to this album, it becomes apparent that Otis Spann had the talent and personality to be as big as Muddy or Hooker, but death took him at an early age. Don’t miss out on this little lesser known of the greatest blues stars of all time.

1. My Love Depends on You
2. Walkin'
3. It Was a Big Thing
4. Temperature Is Rising (100. 2 F)
5. Dig You
6. No More Doggin'
7. Ain't Nobody's Business
8. She Needs Some Loving
9. I Need Some Air
10. Someday Baby

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Another absolute gem from Alan Bates’s Candid label this must be probably Otis Spann's finest piece of work on wax. He may not have been the blues, but he was sure close to being the blues pianist. Spann provided wonderful, imaginative, tasty piano solos and better-than-average vocals, and was arguably the best player whose style was more restrained than animated. Not that he couldn't rock the house, but Spann's forte was making you think as well as making you dance.

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Import

In October 1963, Otis Spann toured Europe as part of that year's American Folk Blues Festival and recorded some superb solo, contemplative blues in a broken, husky voice for Storyville Records in Copenhagen.

Otis Spann Portraits In Blues Volume 3 Track Listing

1. Good Morning, Mr. Blues
2. Love, Love, Love
3. Riverside Blues
4. Must Have Been the Devil
5. Jelly Roll Baker
6. Trouble in Mind Side
7. Worried Life Blues
8. T. B. Blues
9. Spann's Boogie
10. Don't You Know
11. Goin' Down Slow

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Otis Spann was the leading postwar blues piano player in Chicago. An indispensable member of the Muddy Waters Blues Band, Spann's magnificent rich, frosty voice and his expressive singing style were confined to a handful of gigs and occasional recording projects.

The Blues Is Where It's At was recorded in 1966 at the end of a gig by the Muddy Waters Band in New York City. The band, which backs Spann here, includes Muddy Waters, Sammy Lawhorn and Luther Johnson on guitars and the amazing George "Harmonica" Smith. Word had spread about the record date and an impromptu audience of friends and fans showed up, providing an unintended studio audience. Their presence keeps the band raw and relaxed. Musically, the results sound like a great third set at a club instead of a studio recording. Spann's singing was at its peak and his piano playing is pure blues.

Track Listing:

1. Popcorn Man
2. Brand New House
3. Nobody Knows Chicago Like I Do (Party Blues)
4. Steel Mill Blues
5. Down on Sarah Street
6. T'Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do
7. Chicago Blues
8. My Home Is on the Delta
9. Spann Blues