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Essential Blues

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"One day from the month, I first met you,
your promises proved to be untrue
Step by step, I've been a fool
That's why I'm two steps from the blues"

(Bobby Bland, Two Steps from the Blues)

  Each month Bad Dog Blues takes a look at essential blues, those artists whose music stands the test of time. Each month we'll pick an artist or two, give a brief biography and pick a CD or two of theirs that we feel belongs in any serious blues collection. Don't bother trying to find a pattern to the artists that get picked, like much of Bad Dog Blues we're just glad if anything gets done! This month we take a look at Otis Spann and Otis Rush.

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   Otis Spann's magnificent rolling piano anchored the Muddy Waters band for nearly seventeen years. It was relatively late when Spann decided to launch his solo career but still managed to leave behind an impressive recorded legacy. Spann's music could alternately rock the house and explore the very depths of what it meant to have the blues.

  Spann moved to Chicago in the late forties and was taken under the wing of his idol, the great pianist Big Maceo. In pre-war Chicago, Maceo was the one all pianists were judged by and it was his pupil, Otis Spann, who would hold that role in  post-war Chicago.

  Spann's early years in Chicago are somewhat cloudy. In 1952 he first hooked up with Muddy Waters becoming a permanent member shortly after. In 1953 he appeared on "Blow Wind, Blow" his debut with the band and the rest is blues history.

  Spann's own recording career was sporadic. While he was a valued member of Muddy's band and played as a session musician behind many Chess artists, his potential as a solo artist was unfortunately neglected. Only one of his singles was released on Chess while the rest sat in the vaults for decades. Spann had better luck elsewhere recording for Candid, Storyville, Prestige, Vanguard, Testament and Bluesway.

  In 1969 Spann finally decided to launch his solo career, handing the piano chair over to Pinetop Perkins. Unfortunately Spann never achieved his dreams of stardom dying of cancer in 1970.

Recommended Listening

Unfortunately two of Spann's best records are out of print. "Otis Spann is the Blues" and "Walking the Blues", both on Candid, are masterpieces of piano blues with Robert Lockwood Jr. and St. Louis Jimmy helping out.

Down to Earth:  Both of his Bluesway albums from 1966 and 1967. Spann is backed by Muddy Waters and the band and the results are magical Chicago blues. Spann shows why he was the best post-war Chicago pianist bar none on "Popcorn Man," "Steel Mill Blues," and "Nobody Knows Chicago like I Do."

The Blues Never Die!:  Also backed by Muddy and the band. James Cotton helps out on harmonica and vocals on this wonderful outing.

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   If talent and sheer intensity were all it took for stardom Otis Rush would have no competitors among blues his blues peers. Unfortunately bad luck and personal demons have followed Rush wherever he's gone.

  Rush came to Chicago in 1948 and honed his chops through the 50's before signing with the small Cobra label in 1956. His stint for Cobra, 1956-1958, left behind a stunningly intense legacy recording classics like "I Can't Quit You Baby" and "Three Times a Fool". Rush set himself apart with his searing electric guitar work and hair raising vocals. Rush's forte was the intense minor key numbers such as "My Love Will Never Die" and "Double Trouble."

  After Cobra closed it's doors Rush's career became erratic. The 60's found him recording for Chess, Vanguard and Duke. In 1969 he cut the underrated "Mourning in the Mourning" album at the legendary  Muscle Shoals studio but it failed to revive Rush's fortunes. Continuing his bad luck streak was the story behind 1971's "Right Place, Wrong Time" recorded. Despite being his best effort in some time Capitol passed on the album and it did not see the light of day until 1976 on the small Bullfrog label.

  The rest of the 70's and 80's saw Rush beset by personal problems but still managed to record a fair amount. A number of solid live albums were produced during this period as well as the very good "Cold Day in Hell" on Delmark.

  Rush seems to be moving in the right direction in the 90's recording the critically acclaimed "Ain't Enough Comin' In" in 94' and last years even better "Any Place I'm Going" on the House of Blues label. At the age of 64 Rush may finally be moving in the right direction.

  Recommended Listening

Cobra recordings, 1956-1958: The building blocks of modern Chicago blues. Collects all of his classic Cobra recordings including "My Love Will Never Die", "All Your Love" and "I Can't Quit You Baby".

Right Place, Wrong Time: Rush was at the top of his game for this 1971 release. Includes the great down and out title track and a rousing reading of "I'm Tore Up".
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