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 fr... more »uitful 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« less
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
"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."
Excellent And A Must-Have For Blues Purists
LG | Arkansas USA | 05/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Nothin' But The Blues
James Higgins | Hyde Park, MA United States | 10/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In addition to great blues, there is the extra bonus of there being 16 tracks rather than the 10 listed on Amazon and on the CD itself. There is no information on the other 6 tracks but more blues is more blues. This is a great record (sorry for dating myself). One song after another - just sublime. Who would think that a piano player/singer and a guitar player/singer could put so much potency into their music without the usual band make-up. Every song is a killer. Otis Spann is just the greatest blues pianist ever. No one is in his league. The songs that feature just him on piano or just him on piano and vocal show how great his is. The songs that have the guitar accompanying him show that Robert Lockwood Jr. is a tremendous guitar player. Low key and understated but adding a dimension to the songs that sends them into the stratosphere. All I can say is that if you love the blues or want to explore the blues, you will be glad you bought this record."
A masterpiece of classic piano blues
Quicicasco | Colorno,Italy | 02/20/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Otis Spann,Memphis Slim,Little Brother Montgomery and Roosevelt Sykes are in my opinion the best blues piano players ever.
The best of them ? Maybe the young Otis.This CD is rich of blues mood,the interplay beetween piano and electric or acoustic guitar is perfect.Highly recommended."
Extra tracks
Gordon B. Neavill | 04/16/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The 6 extra tracks on "Otis Spann Is the Blues" and 7 extra tracks on Spann's "Walking the Blues" CD's give you everything that's been released from Spann's great 1960 session for Candid. The extra tracks were originally on the Japanese releases of these great CD's on the P-Vine label and on the limited-edition Mosaic box set, which also includes Lightnin' Hopkins' 1960 Candid session. The Mosaic set includes 6 unissued tracks by Lightnin' Hopkins that as far as I know haven't been released elsewhere.
The 6 extra tracks on "Otis Spann Is the Blues" are:
11. Spann and Bob (3:22)
12. Can't Stand Your Evil Ways (3:46)
13. Talkin' the Blues (5:46)
14. Baby Child (take 3) (4:30)
15. Cow Cow Blues (4:10)
16. Beat-up Team (1st version) (6:37)*
*This seems to be different song altogether from the originally issued version on the CD. If it is a different version it's a radically different one.
These are classic recordings by Otis Spann (my favorite blues pianist) and Robert Lockwood, Jr. (my favorite blues guitarist). You can't go wrong.
See my review of "Walking the Blues" for the unissued tracks included on that CD."