Otis Spann

Track Listings
1. Otis Spann - Jelly Roll Baker    
2. Otis Spann - Love, Love, Love    
3. Otis Spann - The Band with Muddy    
4. Otis Spann - 9/8    
5. Otis Spann - Coda    
6. After a Time    
7. After a Time (remix)    
8. Thursday, At Dusk, In Spokane, Washington    
9. Thursday, At Dusk, In Spokane, Washington (remix)    
10. Fanfare    
11. Fanfare (remix)    
12. Ann Arbor, 1971    
13. Ann Arbor, 1971 (remix)    

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
The first album of classical compositions by Wayne Horvitz, well known jazz keyboardist, pays tribute to one of his seminal influences, blues pianist Otis Spann. The album's title work does not imitate Spann's playing, but rather, in Horvitz' words recreates "how it makes you feel." Following the five-part suite, are solo works by Horvitz written for each member of the Seattle Chamber Players, plus remixed versions of these solos made by Horvitz in his studio.

Otis Spann, Music, Wayne Horvitz, Seattle Chamber Players, David Sabee , Laura De Luca , Paul Taub Mikhail Shmidt
Otis Spann Is the Blues
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Excellent And A Must-Have For Blues Purists
  • Best blues ever
  • WOW...
  • Outstanding presence, plus bonus tracks
  • A Gem
 Otis Spann Is the Blues
Otis Spann
Manufacturer: Candid Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000034CZE
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

  1. The Hard Way
  2. Take A Little Walk With Me
  3. Otis In The Dark
  4. Little Boy Blue
  5. Country Boy
  6. Beat-Up Team
  7. My Daily Wish
  8. Great Northern Stomp
  9. I Got Rambling On My Mind #2
  10. Worried Life Blues

Amazon.com

There is great historical significance to this 1960 record: not only was it the first solo album ever recorded by the great pianist Otis Spann, it was also the first album ever recorded for Nat Hentoff's short-lived but fruitful Candid label. However, the music within is anything but a mere footnote. Hentoff's philosophy was to let the artist's true musical nature come through in the studio, and his laissez-faire production style bore great results. For his debut, Spann employed only Robert Lockwood Jr. as his musical support, and the result is a pared-down, passionate, triumphant set that sheds light on Spann as a full-bodied vocalist as well as a pianist. The Mississippi-born Spann grew under the tutelage of Big Maceo and mastered the pounding barrelhouse piano style that Maceo brought with him to Chicago. Spann adapted this fierce, urgent style to the burgeoning electric small-band approach that was taking Chicago by storm, and he eventually became an integral element of Muddy Waters's peak ensemble. Here, with only Lockwood's guitar behind him, Spann is free to indulge in his florid runs and pulsing two-handed rhythmic attack, exploring the turf that connects the barrelhouse of his youth with the modern Chicago style. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Excellent And A Must-Have For Blues Purists.......2007-05-19

Too bad that Otis Spann died so young. He could have done so much more and been more of a legend. As it is, not too many people that are casual blues fans even know his name. I bought "Otis Spann Is The Blues" and listen to it over and over. He has an almost cosmic connection with his guitarist and there is one priceless cut on there where they talk all during the song...playing and never skipping a beat (!) just like old friends. It's charming and special. His songs about the hardship that he had gone through growing up brought tears to my eyes. He puts all of his heart and soul into the music. His piano style is powerful, clean, and with a driving bass beat. You couldn't ask for a better add to your blues collection.

5 out of 5 stars Best blues ever.......2006-01-31

I heard track 15 on Music Match. Had to buy the album. Was I suprised to get the CD and see only 10 songs listed. Put it in the CD player anyway, and there are 6 unlisted tracks on the CD.
Track 15 is my favorite-- pulsing piano blues. Makes me wish I could play the piano.
If you want good clean blues, with promiment soundstage and clarity for all instruments and vocals, I suggest this album.

5 out of 5 stars WOW..........2005-06-12

Wow, I just got Otis Spann Is The Blues, and Walking The Blues, and I love em both. Otis and Lockwood together is pure blues heaven. Actually pure music heaven. Their playing transcends genre and falls in the category of sheer musical genius. I can't pick a favorite song on Is The Blues. Walking The Blues is almost as powerful a project.,HAving more of a variety of vocals is enjoyable. St. Louis Jimmy Oden was on e wonderful singer. All in all, both discs are a piece of history, blues at it's purest and finest. Reccomended to all blues lovers.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding presence, plus bonus tracks.......2004-08-24

If you want blues piano this album is the best. The sound quality is excellent, very atypical for a 1960's album; you'll think you're in the studio with them. I bought the album in 2004 and it contains 6 additional tracks, all of which appear to be additional studio jams, but not necessarily from the same session. There is no information on the album or internet regarding these tracks, and the album doesn't even list the titles. Thus, the total album time is 73 min and well worth the price. If you want to hear absolutely great blues piano without a lot of accompanyment, this is the album to get.

5 out of 5 stars A Gem.......2002-01-26

Even though I am a drummer, the music made by this piano and guitar duo is magic. If you think you're a blues fan and don't like this album, listen to again. Maybe you're missing something! The sound quality is great even though Spann's piano is alittle out of tune. He still makes it sound great. Get this one!
Biggest Thing Since Colossus (Sony)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A Masterpiece
  • Spann and Green - Match made in Blues Heaven
  • Not The Best Otis Spann CD
  • Forget Scorcese...THIS is BLUES
  • A Spann and Green great
 Biggest Thing Since Colossus (Sony)
Otis Spann
Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000007UGB
Release Date: 1995-09-06

Tracks:

  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

Album Description

1969 album for Columbia featuing Spann backed with S.P. Leary on drums and three early Fleetwood Mac members: guitarists Peter Green & Danny Kirwan and bassist John McVie. 10 tracks, including 'My Love Depends On You', 'Walkin'' and 'Someday Baby'.

Album Details

Chicago blues man/pianist Otis Spann released this title in 1969, approximately a year before his untimely death in 1970. 'Biggest Thing Since Colossus' was recorded in one day and features the backing contributions of Peter Green & John McVie from Fleetwood Mac. Includes a bio-essay by Mike Vernon (who also produced the session) & the tracks 'My Love Depends on You', 'Walkin' ', 'Someday Baby' & seven more.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece.......2007-06-10

For everyone who loves gifted musicians and good tracks....The association of Otis Spann and Peter Green will remain a GREAT MUSICAL moment....forever.
Listen to again and again...without moderation !

5 out of 5 stars Spann and Green - Match made in Blues Heaven.......2006-10-17

I love Otis Spann. Both his solo work and as a member of Muddy Water's band. This album sees Spann hooking up with the original Fleetwood Mac line up san their drummer (what was his name?). Otis' piano nicely compliments Peter Green's guitar, which is a little more restrained then usual on this album. This album features some great rockin' tunes and as well as some excellent slow blues like 'Ain't Nobody's Business'. Don't be put off by the strange album cover. This is a great, great blue album.

3 out of 5 stars Not The Best Otis Spann CD.......2003-11-12

I have about all of Otis Spann's CD's that are available. I did not care for this CD that much. The sound of his great piano playing was washed out and upstaged by the noisy guitars. Also, he departed from his traditional Chicago Blues CD and went with a more fast paced rock and roll type sound. I would recommend Otis Spann's Best Of Vanguard Years instead.

5 out of 5 stars Forget Scorcese...THIS is BLUES.......2003-10-05

Clapton, Hendrix, Beck, Page all have reputations as great blues, blues/rock guitarists. Peter Green was THE best. Just listen to this album.

It starts with "My Love Depends On You" with the Chicago Blues piano virtuoso Otis Spann singing his heart out and playing an inspired piano accompaniment. I always thought Otis sounded at least 30 years older than he was. He was a Pisces and that ethereal quality associated with the sign of the fish comes through his I've-see-it-all voice and fluid piano playing. Who better to complement the great underappreciated bluesman, than the great underappreciated Green God? Unlike the typical guitar "gods", Green played only the notes necessary, he didn't overpower the other musicians and certainly never does so with Otis' voice. Green is a Scorpio many times over with an expansive dose of Sag that allows him to reach deep down and express emotion with soaring openness. Never was this more evident than on this track! This is simply one of the most moving performances you'll ever hear.

"Walking" is a more exuberant, up-tempo number that still retains Otis' plaintive soulfulness. Great, unusual drumming from Otis' friend S. P. Leary!

"Ain't Nobody's Business" features some of Green's softest and most tender guitar playing ever. His playing on this track is like an intense, yet gentle carress. This is NOT background music!

Those are my favorite tracks, but there isn't a truly weak track on the entire cd. The empathy between the two water-sign greats is evident throughout, especially when Otis implores Peter to "Play me the blues now, baby!" and Peter does just that on "My Love Depends On You". Otis became a fan of Peter's, struck by the guitarist's depth of feeling, intensity and tenderness.

One surprise is that "Hungry Country Girl" a mini hit for Otis recorded at this same session wasn't included in this reissue. If you get this cd, seek out this song as well. I'll never forget hearing it on a 1000 watt all-black radio station that could only be heard on the south side of Chicago and Gary, Indiana, played by Pervis Spann (no relation to Otis). Pervis Spann was a legendary DJ who called himself "Pervis Spann, your all day, all night blues man!"

This album is absolutely the best example of the blues fathers meeting the sons. Hooker 'N Heat is my #2. I hope you enjoy.

4 out of 5 stars A Spann and Green great.......2001-03-01

As admirer of Otis Spann and Peter Green, to find this album was such a pleasure. Spann is his usual constant, but Peter Green show how good a blues guitarist he was. He plays with such simplicity but has so much feeling in what is played. Green can play one note and have so much more effect that some modern guitairists who try to play at the speed of light.
Blues Piano Orgy
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • PIANO BLUES CLASSIC
 Blues Piano Orgy
Otis Spann , Little Brother Montgomery , and Roosevelt Sykes
Manufacturer: Delmark
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000004BIY
Release Date: 1996-09-10

Tracks:

  1. Blues Hurt My Tongue To Talk - Speckled Red
  2. Dresser Drawers - Roosevelt Sykes
  3. Concentration Blues - Roosevelt Sykes
  4. Kickin' Motor Scooter - Roosevelt Sykes
  5. (New Year's) Resolution Blues - Roosevelt Sykes
  6. My Baby's Coming With A Marriage License - Sunnyland Slim
  7. Poor Boy - Sunnyland Slim
  8. Every Time I Get To Drinkin' - Sunnyland Slim
  9. Depression Blues - Sunnyland Slim
  10. Stendahl Stomp - Little Brother Montgomery
  11. Tremblin' Blues - Little Brother Montgomery
  12. No Special Rider - Little Brother Montgomery
  13. Bass Key Boogie - Little Brother Montgomery
  14. Five O'Clock Blues - Memphis Slim
  15. Nat Dee Special - Memphis Slim
  16. Lonesome Bedroom Blues - Curtis Jones
  17. Takin' Off - Curtis Jones
  18. Tin Pan Alley Blues - Curtis Jones
  19. Three-In-One Blues - Otis Spann

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars PIANO BLUES CLASSIC.......2002-09-01

Excellent piano blues album. 19 beatiful blues tracks. especially Roosevelt Sykes, Sunnyland Slim and Little Brother Montgomery are in great condition on this cd.
Good Morning Mr. Blues
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Just the man and his piano
  • LD reviews Spann again
  • Profound and soulful
  • A jewel among all piano blues recordings
  • Low Down and Rolling
 Good Morning Mr. Blues
Otis Spann
Manufacturer: Apo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001PG0
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

  1. Good Morning Mr. Blues
  2. Love, Love, Love
  3. River Side Blues
  4. Must Have Been The Devil
  5. Jelly Roll Baker
  6. Trouble In Mind
  7. Worried Life Blues
  8. T.B. Blues
  9. Spann's Boogie
  10. Don't You Know
  11. Goin' Down Slow
  12. The Skys Are Blue
  13. Keep Your Hands Out Of My Pocket
  14. Boots And Shoes

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Just the man and his piano.......2005-12-21

If you're interested in hearing just Spann's incredible piano playing and vocals instead of the full "chicago style" blues band, this is an album to treasure. The recording quality is excellent (recorded in Denmark and remastered; great piano sound) and the supporting musicians (on a few tracks) make so little impact in relation to Otis that it is essentially a solo album. This is a new favorite blues piano album for me, and one that I will not tire of listening to. Really, really strong- check it out.

5 out of 5 stars LD reviews Spann again.......2005-10-01

In this album Spann tempts and teases us with tidbits of the bitter, the sweet, the old and the new of the Chicago Blues sound and presents blues piano at its best. Chicago Blues without Otis Spann is like soul food without cornbread, black eyed peas and collard greens. Spann's voice is as potent and thick as molasses in the winter time and his left hand probes the keyboard like a hungry pig in a sweet potato patch. This album will pamper the musical pallet of any blues lover.

5 out of 5 stars Profound and soulful.......2005-06-03

I've listened to this album since I had the LP in the late sixties. It is as stunning today as it was then. The piano playing is clean and technically very impressive, as well as carrying tons of feeling. Spann's voice, all alone with the piano, so clearly recorded that you can hear his breathing and contained in those breaths is all the life that he lived. This is a very, very special recording, one I keep returning to. "Spann's Boogie" will make you laugh and get up and dance. When I want to play air piano, this is the tune I play. "Good Morning Mr. Blues" will remind you of all the Monday mornings you've ever experienced. Buy this record. Buy it right now. I mean it.

5 out of 5 stars A jewel among all piano blues recordings.......2004-02-22

Otis Spann was arguably one of the truly great piano blues players in history. He is mostly known for his collaboration in Muddy Water's band ("Chicago blues"). This recording documents his outstanding abilities as a solo piano artist and singer. The recording was made in a studio in Denmark using high quality audio equipment, so despite its age (over 40 years) the sound quality is excellent (which, unfortunately, can not be said about many of the other Otis Spann records). Otis Span plays the piano in a very beautiful way. His left hand is on par with the right hand leading to a very rhythmic and powerful sound which impresses not only by clarity and technical perfection, but also by a great dynamic range. And all of this without the electronic amplifying equipment which is so popular today!

5 out of 5 stars Low Down and Rolling.......2000-05-11

I first heard Otis Spann in person when I was 13 and it changed my life. The light classics and hymms that "Miss May", my piano teacher, was making me practice and that my mom requested for her friends, had to go. Instead, I started every day after school working on a steady bass with a roaming, riffng right hand... and it's stood me in good stead (although Mom and Miss May couldn't understand why I gave up "pretty" music). This CD is Spann at his best, gravel-voiced and blues-savant piano playing, not polished-slick but excellent techique and so...oo..oo soulful. When he was playing with Mr. Morganfield, Otis Spann was oftern drowned out by electric instruments but not here. You cannot compare his fine solo work to garden-variety blues players. Once you hear even a bar or two, it moves you and you know Mr. Spann is working in his inimitable style. This album along with some good whiskey can get you through all sorts of heart aches, bad love affairs, and brushes with fate. You can actually get down and wallow in it and yet, Otis Spann has the capacity to make one feel good too. If you have one blues singer/piano player CD, this could be it. I've kept it by my side in one form or another since 1972 and covered a lot of ground...once you buy it, you won't leave home without it.
The Blues Is Where It's At
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Really good date but flawed production
  • Blues Piano At It's Best
  • One of the greatest blues albums I have ever heard.
  • No words to describe
  • Fantastic!
 The Blues Is Where It's At
Otis Spann
Manufacturer: Bgo - Beat Goes on
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000011NI
Release Date: 2002-02-15

Tracks:

  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

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Really good date but flawed production.......2007-01-23

Musically this is wonderful. A party like audience in the studio and Otis Spann singing and playing at the top of his game with the Muddy Waters band backing him. But they did not record George 'Harmonica' Smith playing his harp through an amp and one could only imagine how muuch more bite the music would have had if they had. I have had this since it first came out on record and other than the flaw it is real good.

5 out of 5 stars Blues Piano At It's Best.......2003-01-31

This is a great CD. Although it has studio quality sound, the addition of the "studio audience" gives this CD a live feel. There is a fantastic version of "T'Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do", in which Otis belts out some amazing vocals and does some exciting piano work. There is also a nice instrumental track at the end. Other Otis Spann CD's I'd recommend are Walkin' The Blues, Bottom Of The Blues and Best Of Vanguard Years.

5 out of 5 stars One of the greatest blues albums I have ever heard........2001-12-07

If you are a music collector you know that there are certain albums that you never tire of hearing. From the first time you heard them to your most recent hearing, they help define the possibilities inherent in great music. This is definitely such an album for me. I lucked upon it back in 1967 and have gone through both an LP and CD version of it.
This is the deep blues featuring arguably Chicago's greatest blues pianist playing with one of the best bands Muddy Waters ever fronted. Besides Otis and Muddy(who only plays on a few tracks) the band features Sammy Lawhorn on one lead guitar, Luther Georgia Boy Snake Johnson on the other lead, Mac Arnold on the electric bass, Francis Clay on the drums and George Smith on the harmonica. If you know anything about the history of the Chicago blues in the sixties, all of these names should be familiar. These guys are great individual players and a great tight band. This is the quintessential Chicago sound. These guys know when to fill, when to lay out and when to just plain let it all out. They can solo for two measures or take their time. This is an almost perfect blues band. At the center of the sound is Otis with his great soulful voice and his wonderful playing. One thing I love about the way he played the blues piano is the way he lives on the bottom end. Listen to his solo on the great ending instrumental, Spann's Blues. He starts low on the keyboard, never lets the sound get murky and plays a solo that sounds like no other I have ever heard. This man is elemental American soul and he should be (along with Muddy, of course) better known. Heck, we should teaching his music (along with Ives, Hank Williams, Robert Johnson, Mingus and so many others) in high schools.
Other highlights of this album include Nobody Knows Chicago Like I Do, Down on Sarah Street, T'Aint Nobody's Biziness If I Do (listen to how Otis fills in behind Sammy Lawhorn during Mr. Lawhorn's short sweet solo), and My Home Is On The Delta. But really, there aren't any off numbers on this CD- these guys are way too professional for that.
One last thing- this was recorded with an audience in the studio. You can hear clapping between the songs and you hear them yell out requests (e.g., just before Nobody's Biziness). It sounds as if everybody was having a great time. I have been listening to this disc for almost thirty-five years now. I always have a great time doing so. What more can I tell you?

5 out of 5 stars No words to describe.......2001-11-15

My little stock of words don't allow express all my feelings about this music. May be only simple adjectives - fantastic and outstanding... I hope to get other Spann's albums.

5 out of 5 stars Fantastic!.......2000-12-22

This is a wonderful album showing Otis at his best. Do yourself a favour and buy it!
Blues Jam in Chicago, Vol. 1
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Blues Jam in Chicago, Vol. 1
    Fleetwood Mac & Otis Spann
    Manufacturer: Blue Horizon
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B00030607Y
    Release Date: 2004-10-12

    Tracks:

    1. World's in a Tangle
    2. Talk With You
    3. Like It This Way
    4. Someday Soon Baby
    5. Hungry Country Girl
    6. Black Jack Blues - (Bonus Track)
    7. Everyday I Have The Blues
    8. Rockin' Boogie
    9. My Baby's Gone
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    11. Sugar Mama
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    13. Honey Boy Blues
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    Walking the Blues
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • The greatest blues piano artist ever!
    • Real life, great stuff.
    		 Walking the Blues
    Otis Spann
    Manufacturer: Candid Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B00005A86C
    Release Date: 1989-03-01

    Tracks:

    1. It Must Have Been The Devil
    2. Otis Blues
    3. Goin' Down Slow
    4. Half Ain't Been Told
    5. Monkey Face Blues
    6. This Is The Blues
    7. Can't Stand Your Evil Ways
    8. Come Day, Go Day
    9. Walkin' The Blues
    10. Bad Condition
    11. My Home Is In The Delta

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars The greatest blues piano artist ever!.......2004-02-29

    Otis Spann was the piano player in the famous Muddy Waters blues band in Chicago from 1953 to 1969. On this record we get a chance to listen to Otis Spann singing and playing the piano solo (accompanied by a guitar only). 40 years have passed since this recording was made. Looking back I have to confess that in my judgement Otis Spann was the greater talent of the two. Today, the music of Otis Spann is still fresh, original and timeless in its deep "soulfulness" while in comparison, the music of Muddy Waters sounds to me dated and somewhat artificial in its heavy reliance on the "electrified" sound of the guitar. According to Waters, Spann "is the best blues piano player we have today. There is no one left like him who plays the real, solid, bottom blues" (a quote from an interview given by Waters in the late 1960's). Waters also liked to emphasize that Spann played the piano "with both hands" (refering to the strong and articulate left hand in Spann's piano playing). Otis Spann died rather young at the age of 40 in 1970 appearently as a poor man, while Muddy Waters continued his successful career until his death in 1983 at the age of 68.

    5 out of 5 stars Real life, great stuff........2002-03-01

    Otis Spann has a heavenly facility at the keys, and through it he expresses not only the gamut of human feelings, but the combinations and conflicts of feelings that we all experience. I really enjoy this disk.
    Live the Life
    Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    • Some good stuff, but this one is mostly for the dedicated
    • A Rare Live Recording Of Otis Spann
    		 Live the Life
    Otis Spann & Muddy Waters
    Manufacturer: Testament
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B000003ORE
    Release Date: 1997-06-10

    Tracks:

    1. Been A Long, Long Time
    2. Look Under My Bed
    3. Tribute To Martin Luther King
    4. Sarah Street
    5. Worried Life Blues
    6. Kansas City
    7. Tin Pan Alley
    8. 5 Long Years
    9. Live The Life I Love
    10. I Wanna Go Home
    11. Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had
    12. High Rising
    13. Everything's Gonna Be Alright
    14. What's On Your Worried Mind
    15. Mean Old Train
    16. My Baby Left Me

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Some good stuff, but this one is mostly for the dedicated.......2004-12-12

    There is a lot of good stuff here, but the live portion of "Live The Life" in particular is plagued by some very mediocre fidelity.
    It's not unbearable, not at all, but it does detract from the music, and there are a handful of pretty forgettable numbers here as well.

    Still, serious Otis Spann-worshippers (and/or Muddy Waters-fans) will certainly want this disc in their collection. The seven live recordings which feature Otis Spann as part of the Muddy Waters Blues Band are the most interesting...Spann duets with Muddy on a six-minute "I Wanna Go Home", and sings two more numbers, including a soulful "Tin Pan Alley". And Muddy Waters himself performs the only live rendition of "I Live The Life I Love" that I'm aware of, as well as a great "Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had".
    Two good solo performances are next, and the final two songs find Spann backing Johnny Young on the acoustic "Mean Old Train" and harpist Slim Willis on a swaggering "My Baby Left Me".

    Otis Spann's finest musical legacy remains his work with the Muddy Waters Band, and the LPs "Otis Spann Is The Blues", "Walking The Blues", and "The Blues Never Die", and there is certainly better live Muddy Waters available as well. But serious fans will want this one as well.

    4 out of 5 stars A Rare Live Recording Of Otis Spann.......2003-01-31

    This is actually a live recording, which makes it rare and unique. The sound quality is a little sketchy at the start of the CD, but something happens around the 3rd or 4th song and it seems fine from there. You have to keep in mind that this was recorded in the 60's. There is a killer version of Tin Pan Alley and Five Long Years on this CD that I think make it worth the purchase. But be aware that Muddy Waters and his band take over the 2nd half of the CD and then Otis ends up in the position of backup piano player. If you want Otis at his best, I would recommend Walkin' The Blues (the sound quality is excellent and has a few piano solo numbers), Bottom Of The Blues, and Best Of Vangaurd Years.
    Complete Blue Horizon Sessions
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Complete Blue Horizon Sessions
      Otis Spann
      Manufacturer: Sony / Bmg Import
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Chicago BluesChicago Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
      Electric Blues GuitarElectric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
      BluesBlues | Imports | Stores | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. Complete Blue Horizon Sessions
      2. Complete Blue Horizon Sessions
      3. Otis Spann Is the Blues
      4. The Blues Is Where It's At
      5. Good Morning Mr. Blues

      ASIN: B000F2C7PO
      Release Date: 2006-05-15

      Tracks:

      1. Can't Do Me No Good
      2. Bloody Murder
      3. Someday Soon Baby
      4. Hungry Country Girl
      5. My Love Depends On You (Previously Unreleased)
      6. Walkin' (Previously Unreleased)
      7. It Was A Big Thing (Previously Unreleased)
      8. Temperature Is Rising
      9. Dig You
      10. No More Doggin'
      11. Ain't Nobody's Business (Previously Unreleased)
      12. She Needs Some Loving
      13. I Need Some Air
      14. Someday Soon Baby (Previously Unreleased)
      15. No More Doggin' (Alt. Take 1) (Previously Unreleased)
      16. No More Doggin' (Alt. Take 2) (Previously Unreleased)
      17. I Need Some Air (Alt. Take) (Previously Unreleased)
      18. Walkin' (Alt. Take 1) (Previously Unreleased)
      19. Walkin' (Alt. Take 2) (Previously Unreleased)
      20. Blues For Hippies
      21. Temperature Is Rising (98.8f)
      22. Someday Soon Baby (Alt. Take 1) (Previously Unreleased)
      23. Someday Soon Baby (Alt. Take 2) (Previously Unreleased)
      24. Someday Soon Baby (Alt. Take 3) (Previously Unreleased)
      25. She Needs Some Loving (Alt. Take) (Previously Unreleased)
      26. Dig You (Alt. Take 1) (Previously Unreleased)
      27. Dig You (Alt. Take 2) (Previously Unreleased)
      28. She's Out Of Sight

      Album Description

      U.K. two CD collection featuring Spann's recordings for the Blue Horizon label. 28 tracks total, including previously unreleased recordings, alternate takes and false starts. Also features the original versions of 'Can't Do Me No Good', 'Bloddy Murder', 'Someday Soon Baby' and 'Hungry Country Girl'. Sony/BMG. 2006.

      Album Details

      Digitally Remastered Double Disc CD that Compiles all of the Last Sessions from 1969 Recorded at Chess Studios by the Late, Great Keyboardist who Played in Muddy Waters' Blues Band. He Had Finally Been Able to Secure his Own Deal with Mike Vernon's Blue Horizon Label in the UK and Left Muddy Waters to Pursue his Solo Fame. These Tracks Feature Fleetwood Mac Members John Mcvie, Peter Green and Danny Kirwan Backing Him Up. The Resulting Album, "The Biggest Thing Since Colossus" Yielded the Hit Single "Hungry Country Girl" and the Great Jam of "Someday Soon Baby". Alas, Spann's Solo Dreams were Short Lived and Dashed as He Developed Cancer and Passed Away in 1970. However, These Recordings Serve as Testament to his Legacy, Along with Mentor Waters Having Namechecked Him in Many of his Own Songs after his Death.
      The Blues Never Die!
      Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
      • Enjoyable mid-60s date from Spann and James Cotton
      • First Rate South Side Blues
      • Otis Sounds Like A Guest On His Own CD
      • Do not buy this CD!
      • Blues essence
      		 The Blues Never Die!
      Otis Spann
      Manufacturer: Obc
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Chicago BluesChicago Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
      Electric Blues GuitarElectric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music
      PianoPiano | Blues | Styles | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. Otis Spann Is the Blues
      2. The Blues Is Where It's At
      3. Walking the Blues
      4. Last Call: Live at Boston Tea Party, April 2, 1970
      5. Heritage of the Blues/I Wanna Go Home

      ASIN: B000000XXY
      Release Date: 1991-07-01

      Tracks:

      1. The Blues Never Die
      2. I Got A Feeling
      3. One More Mile To Go
      4. Feelin' Good
      5. After Awhile
      6. Dust My Broom
      7. Straighten Up, Baby
      8. Come On
      9. Must Have Been The Devil
      10. Lightnin'
      11. I'm Ready

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars Enjoyable mid-60s date from Spann and James Cotton.......2004-09-15

      Well, I'm deaf, apparently.
      Mr "Bluesdave", my fellow reviewer, warns you against buying this CD because the sound is horrible, extremely fuzzy and distorted. I have no idea where he gets that from...the fidelity on my copy is just about as good as you can expect from a 1964 recording, clean and crisp.

      This album brings together slow, smoky numbers like "One More Mile To Go" and "After Awhile" with a nice rendition of Elmore James' muscular boogie "Dust My Broom", a funky "Come On", and a pretty tough version of Willie Dixon's "I'm Ready". Spann's darkly humorous "Must Have Been The Devil" is another highlight, as is the swaggering mid-tempo grind of "Straighten Up, Baby".
      Otis Spann shares lead vocals with harpist James Cotton, and they are backed by a tight band which includes drummer S.P. Leary, bassist Milton Rector, and guitarists James "Pee Wee" Madison and "Dirty Rivers" - an obvious pseudonym for Spann's, Madison's and Cotton's everyday employer Muddy Waters, who couldn't officially appear on a Prestige/Bluesville album. (Remember how Buddy Guy was once credited as "Friendly Chap" because he was under contract with Chess and couldn't legally record for Junior Wells' record company Delmark?)

      This is not quite as remarkable as prime cut Muddy Waters or Elmore James, but "The Blues Never Die" is nevertheless an enjoyable, highly professional, and consistently rewarding blues record.
      Definitely recommended.

      5 out of 5 stars First Rate South Side Blues.......2004-05-24

      Highlighting Otis Spann's name on the cover of this disk is a little unfair to the other participants contributing to this wonderful set of Chicago blues.

      For rather than being a solo show case for Spann's extraordinary piano work, this disk is in fact a fine ensemble recording made by the mid 60's incarnation of Muddy Waters band. For this recording Muddy steps well into the shadows and lets Spann and and harmonica man James Cotton handle lead vocals. This is not necessarily a bad thing as both Cotton's gruff and Spann's mush mouthed delivery are distinctive and capable. Of the soloists, Cotton comes across particularly well and both he and Spann contribute some stunning breaks. Also, of note is drummer S.P. Leary who anchors the rhythm with precision, whilst accenting the instrumental passages with economy and taste.

      Highlights include the bands reading of 'Dust my Broom', here delivered as a mighty blues shuffle. Cottons lead on the impassioned slow blues 'One more mile to go', featuring some great call and response with the band. Spann's lead on 'Must have been the Devil' and the bands performance on the fast boogie ' Feelin' Good' are brilliant.

      This session together with Spann's ABC recording 'The Bottom of the Blues' are in my opinion, the best recordings associated to Muddy Waters during the 60's and a must hear for any fan of South Side Blues. However, listeners wishing to hear Spann play solo blues piano are probably better off trying either of his Candid recordings: 'Is the Blues' and 'Walking the Blues.

      2 out of 5 stars Otis Sounds Like A Guest On His Own CD.......2003-01-31

      I have almost all Otis Spann's CDs and this is my least favorite so far. When I buy an Otis Spann CD, I buy it because I want to hear amazing piano playing. Unfortunately, on this CD the piano is burried deep in the mix and covered by loud guitars, drums, etc. It's almost like Otis is a guest or backup on his own CD! In fact on many songs, other people are doing the vocals! I would say skip this CD. If you want Otis at his best, I would recommend Walkin' The Blues (the sound quality is excellent and has a few piano solo numbers), Bottom Of The Blues, and Best Of Vangaurd Years.

      1 out of 5 stars Do not buy this CD!.......2000-12-15

      The people who give this CD a five star rating, must be deaf.

      The music is good, but the sound quality is pathetic. Absolutely pathetic! It is *extremely* fuzzy and distorted.

      Do yourself a favour. Do NOT but it.

      5 out of 5 stars Blues essence.......2000-11-25

      What can you say about the first blues record you listened to in your life? A friend of mine lent me this record in 1970 (71?), now I'm 45. On a visit to New York I bought the CD version and was happy to discover that I still love every inch of the music. To avoid hyperbole, I'd just like to say that what makes this sparse music so sparkling is the combination of piano, harmonica, and a lot of SOUL.

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