Search - Otis Spann :: Otis Spann

The essence of blues

madsmichelsen | Québec, Canada | 02/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This session, recorded in Copenhagen in the early sixties, is one of the all to few that show Spann as a solo artist. With one exception - the desperate yet measured 'Trouble in Mind' that features Lonnie Johnson on guitar - all the songs lets Spann focus on laying down the always precise piano boogies and slowburning blues that helped make Water's band what it was. The singing's intense (nowhere more so that on 'Trouble in Mind', the album's true gem) and beatifully clear (unlike the late sixties albums) and makes you wonder why Spann never got more recognition as a solo act. Whether rolling as on 'Must have been the devil' and 'Spann's boogie' or giving vent to his frustrations, as on 'Worried life blues', 'T.B. blues' and 'Good morning, mr. blues', Spann's in full control of his instrument all the while the music sounds free and uninhibited. Haunting blues and feet stomping boogie."

Otis spann "possibly the best album"

T. Wilson | norfolk | 05/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this session moves me to tears at times, pure Otis. If you can only afford one Otis CD get this one. Desert island disc without a doubt"