VinylHanger
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Scotty and the Rib Tips are going for a second spin tonight.
Today's Blues Playlist
- Thread starter bjarmson
- Start date
Otis Spann: Otis Spann Is the Blues (Candid, 1960)
Otis Spann, piano, vocals; Robert Lockwood, Jr.; guitar, vocals
Otis Spann, for those not familiar with him, was Muddy Waters' longtime piano player, and one of the finest blues piano players ever. Playing on virtually every Muddy Waters' recording (those that feature a full band) from the early 50s till the late 60s, Spann's solo output is limited. Unfortunately he died not long after leaving Muddy to begin a solo career.
Robert Lockwood, Jr. is one of the great underappreciated bluesmen/guitarists from the classic era. His mother and Robert Johnson were partners for a time. Lockwood is often referred to as Johnson's stepson, but I don't think was official and, in fact, Johnson was actually only a few years older than Lockwood. Lockwood is the only person to ever have received personal instruction from Johnson on the guitar. Sorta solidifies his blues standing by that alone, but Lockwood had a long (died in 2006) and varied career (if underrecorded and underappreciated one), as a sideman and solo act.
This is Spann's first album as a leader (or co-leader, since Lockwood's contributions are on par with Spann's, they mostly trade vocals every other song) and it's a great one. What's really wonderful is with only two musicians there is nothing to get in the way of Spann's piano and Lockwood's guitar. Just two great bluesmen sitting and playing. Spann's material tends to be Chicago-style blues and Lockwood's delta-oriented, though neither has any trouble shifting from one to the other (Spann was born in the delta and Lockwood was a sideman on many Chicago blues recordings during the 50s and 60s). Exceptional music, highly recommended, good sound.
Otis Spann, piano, vocals; Robert Lockwood, Jr.; guitar, vocals
Otis Spann, for those not familiar with him, was Muddy Waters' longtime piano player, and one of the finest blues piano players ever. Playing on virtually every Muddy Waters' recording (those that feature a full band) from the early 50s till the late 60s, Spann's solo output is limited. Unfortunately he died not long after leaving Muddy to begin a solo career.
Robert Lockwood, Jr. is one of the great underappreciated bluesmen/guitarists from the classic era. His mother and Robert Johnson were partners for a time. Lockwood is often referred to as Johnson's stepson, but I don't think was official and, in fact, Johnson was actually only a few years older than Lockwood. Lockwood is the only person to ever have received personal instruction from Johnson on the guitar. Sorta solidifies his blues standing by that alone, but Lockwood had a long (died in 2006) and varied career (if underrecorded and underappreciated one), as a sideman and solo act.
This is Spann's first album as a leader (or co-leader, since Lockwood's contributions are on par with Spann's, they mostly trade vocals every other song) and it's a great one. What's really wonderful is with only two musicians there is nothing to get in the way of Spann's piano and Lockwood's guitar. Just two great bluesmen sitting and playing. Spann's material tends to be Chicago-style blues and Lockwood's delta-oriented, though neither has any trouble shifting from one to the other (Spann was born in the delta and Lockwood was a sideman on many Chicago blues recordings during the 50s and 60s). Exceptional music, highly recommended, good sound.
Great stuff out there.
Magic Slim and the Teardrops - Raw Magic- LP on Alligator
Gave this the first spin tonight and smokin good. Chicago Blues to the core.
Gatemouth Brown - Pressure Cooker - LP on Alligator
Recorded in France in 73 not released till 85. One of the best albums I've come accross in a long time. Texas Blues with a strong twist of Jazz.
9 days till I'll see Buddy Guy at Legends in Chicago!
Magic Slim and the Teardrops - Raw Magic- LP on Alligator
Gave this the first spin tonight and smokin good. Chicago Blues to the core.
Gatemouth Brown - Pressure Cooker - LP on Alligator
Recorded in France in 73 not released till 85. One of the best albums I've come accross in a long time. Texas Blues with a strong twist of Jazz.
9 days till I'll see Buddy Guy at Legends in Chicago!
Here's something I just discovered that all blues fans should be aware of. If you go to YouTube and do a search for various bluesmen you'll come across some really fascinating stuff. So far I've watched videos I've never seen of people like Son House, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Muddy Waters (and I only found this place a couple days ago).
Particularly recommended is "Got My Mojo Working" by Muddy and band from the Newport Jazz Festival, 1960. If you want to see what Muddy at the top of his game was like (which means, "it doesn't get any better than this"), you have to see this video. I've had the LP for quite awhile but was unaware there was video of this classic performance. Like discovering gold in your backyard unexpectedly.
Be warned, a lot of this stuff is the equivalent of video 78s, but just to see some of these giants performing is reward enough.
Absolutely essential for hardcore blues fans.
Particularly recommended is "Got My Mojo Working" by Muddy and band from the Newport Jazz Festival, 1960. If you want to see what Muddy at the top of his game was like (which means, "it doesn't get any better than this"), you have to see this video. I've had the LP for quite awhile but was unaware there was video of this classic performance. Like discovering gold in your backyard unexpectedly.
Be warned, a lot of this stuff is the equivalent of video 78s, but just to see some of these giants performing is reward enough.
Absolutely essential for hardcore blues fans.
Son House: Delta Blues and Spirituals (Capitol)
If you want to learn what makes a bluesman a legend or experience why the blues has a raw power few other forms of music can approach, give this album a listen. Recorded at a club in London in 1970, and one of the last (if not last recording) he would make, this album truly shows what the essence of blues is all about. House was pushing 70 (a hard lived 70, or maybe 80, if his earliest suggested birth date is correct) and it's apparent in his playing and singing, he's an old man. What hasn't waned one iota from his earliest recordings is a commitment and passion to the blues maybe unequaled in the field. Technical skill, vocal ability, or even remembering all the lyrics, pfft, who needs such ephemeral qualities when you're Son House. This spirit of the blues cannot be learned, cannot be taught, can only be lived, you have it or you don't. Son House had it. Carried along by an extremely enthusiastic audience, Son weaves monologues and songs into not just blues music but a transcendent experience of the blues that penetrates your soul like a light shining in the dark. The devil's music it may be, but even more it is the music of life and the experience of living.
If you want to learn what makes a bluesman a legend or experience why the blues has a raw power few other forms of music can approach, give this album a listen. Recorded at a club in London in 1970, and one of the last (if not last recording) he would make, this album truly shows what the essence of blues is all about. House was pushing 70 (a hard lived 70, or maybe 80, if his earliest suggested birth date is correct) and it's apparent in his playing and singing, he's an old man. What hasn't waned one iota from his earliest recordings is a commitment and passion to the blues maybe unequaled in the field. Technical skill, vocal ability, or even remembering all the lyrics, pfft, who needs such ephemeral qualities when you're Son House. This spirit of the blues cannot be learned, cannot be taught, can only be lived, you have it or you don't. Son House had it. Carried along by an extremely enthusiastic audience, Son weaves monologues and songs into not just blues music but a transcendent experience of the blues that penetrates your soul like a light shining in the dark. The devil's music it may be, but even more it is the music of life and the experience of living.
levensnevel
Me? I'm just a lawnmower
Robert Cray - Bad Influence (1985)
big1daddy
Wood is good
Agree 100% Fantastic CD!
