Label: Testament
Release Date: 1997
Blues
This release includes 16 rare and previously unissued Otis Spann tracks recorded between 1964 and 1969. Featuring the blues piano genius in both a solo context and supporting a bevy of Chicago artists in a variety of settings, this plows through Pete Welding's old Testament tape vaults to uncover new treasures by the carload. Muddy Waters is listed on the front cover and, indeed, 12 of the 16 songs here are played in his company, most of it in the unusual role of backup musician to Spann. The compilation begins with five songs from a Martin Luther King tribute concert in 1968 featuring Spann and Waters on acoustic guitar performing as an "unplugged" duo, including a heartfelt "Tribute to Martin Luther King" standing next to his own tribute to Big Maceo Merriweather, "Worried Life Blues." Next up are seven tracks from a late-'60s Muddy Waters concert, kicking off with Spann doing a rip-roaring "Kansas City" and a somber take of "Tin Pan Alley," and dueting later with Waters on a gospel-tinged "I Wanna Go Home." Spann's piano work in both of these live settings is nothing short of elegant and extraordinary, whether he's soloing, comping perfectly behind Waters' vocals, or directing the band with an all-knowing lick. Two solo tracks from 1965 ("Everything's Gonna Be Alright" and "What's on Your Worried Mind") are followed by two songs showcasing Spann as a session player behind Johnny Young and harmonica man Slim Willis. Perhaps not the most essential Otis Spann collection you'll ever hear, but one that nonetheless showcases his wide range of talents.
By Cub Coda.
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01.Been A Long, Long Time 4.23
02.Look Under My Bed 4.26
03.Tribute To Matin Luther King 4.40
04.Sarah Street 624
05.Worried Life Blues 4.00
06.Kansas City 4.11
07.Tin Pan Alley 7.29
08.5 Long Years 7.32
09.Live The Life I Love 3.21
10.I Wanna Go Home 5.59
11.Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had 3.37
12.High Rising 4.36
13.Everything's Gonna Be Alright 2.09
14.What's On Your Worried Mind 2.27
15.Mean Old Train 3.03
16.My Baby Left Me 2.55
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This is a very great record, one of my best in my Spann ones, thanks you for your clever comments.
ReplyDeleteAbout this O Spann one, after having read the comment by Cub Coda, I thought I had a not great Spann record with Live The Life. I must say again this a real great one and I don't care it's a compilation: the Muddy tracks are real allright (same takes I think you may find on the MW Chess Box 3 cd set) the duo with OS I Wanna Go Home is first class, you may discover Johnny Young by the end, Tin Pan Alley is 1st class too, well... I can't stop listening to this one, and this confirms one may find incredible hidden gems by leaning over Otis Spann discography. This guy made such a warm, nice and quiet music his piano and him! And by the way, you must admit he is, as if it was not enough, one of the greatest blues voices in blues history! Thanks again, The Monk!
ReplyDelete(I'll drive through Route 66 right now...)