Trying to pick just one Otis Spann record is like trying to pick only one recipe from the Joy Of Cooking! Chicago pianist Otis Spann is probably the greatest blues pianist of all times. He has graced records with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Rogers, Buddy Guy, Floyd Jones and his own solo recordings.

Good Morning Mr. Blues - mostly solo piano; Otis Spann is the Blues w/Robert Jr. Lockwood; The Biggest Thing Since Colossus w/Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac.

Surprise! Back to the Blues: (Roulette) My all time favorite female blues/jazz vocalist.  Small combos and expert musicianship. Songs include How Long, How Long (Leroy Carr) and Key to the “Highway (credited to Big Bill Broonzy.) A beautiful recording.

Bricks in my Pillow: This one has it all...great slide guitar and vocals by Nighthawk, piano by Roosevelt Sykes and Bob Call and the great bass of Ransom Knowing. Recorded in 1951 and 1952-some very early electric Chicago Blues.

Door to Door: (Chess) Two guitar giants in their prime. Two different styles, but so essential to all serious blues guitarists. Recorded in the early 1960s, it has a bit more polished sound then Rush’s Cobra recordings (which are awesome). I toured with Otis Rush for awhile in the 1980s. King's portion has a hint of what he would be doing in a few years when he was signed to STAX Records.

The Boss of the Blues: (Atlantic) This recording has the classic Kansas City sound from the 1940s updated just a bit by being recorded by Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler for Atlantic Records in 1956.  A great sounding record with Turner’s (I worked with him in the 1980‘s) very polished “blues shouter” vocals and  the rolling piano of boogie woogie great Pete Johnson-great band arrangements.

The King of Chicago Blues Piano: (Arhoolie) This recording also features the great guitar work of Tampa Red (Hudson Woodbridge.) A wonderful example of rolling piano, boogie and the interaction of piano and guitar.  Vocals are stellar as well.

The Come Back: (originally recorded for United Recordings reissued by Delmark records) Also features Matt “Guitar” Murphy. Recorded in the early and mid 1950’s with more styles then you can shake a mojo stick at!  I once played piano while Slim sang; a very special moment in my life.  A very powerful piano player and vocalist.

Live at Mr Kelly’s (Waters)/Live at the Regal (King): I put these two recordings, both recorded in Chicago, together because they’re probably the best two live recordings in blues history. Muddy’s recording was recorded at Mr. Kelly’s, an upscale Chicago club.  The recording features Pinetop Perkins on piano (replacing Spann,) James Madison and Sammy Lawhorn - guitars, “Joe Denim” aka James Cotton, Paul Oscher on harmonica and Willie Smith on drums.  It has many of Muddy’s classic compositions. King’s recording is polished, and hits all the “right notes” you would expect from B.B.  A super tight band, great compositions and arrangements. Rolling Stone magazine has it listed at number five in the fifty greatest recordings of all times!

The Complete Aladdin Recordings: Blues story telling with compelling haunting guitar and vocals.  Mostly solo, but also with small band arrangements.  This recording has over forty songs that really define the traditional Texas blues tradition.  Recorded between 1946 and 1948, it has that beautiful rough edge which recordings of this time have.

The Lost Paramount Tapes: Booker is the funkiest New Orleans pianist of all time.  Recorded in 1973 in CA with mostly New Orleans musicians, many of who were playing with Dr. John at the time. You can hear Professor Longhair, Huey “Piano” Smith in his playing, but with dashes of chicken fried funk and soul.  

Chicago Bound: (Chess) The recording that started it all for me!  This has the classic Chicago blues sound. Two guitars, harmonica, piano and a great rhythm section. Recorded with Muddy Waters band which includes Otis Spann on piano, Willie Dixon on bass, Big Walter Horton (who I recorded two records with) and Little Walter Jacobs-harmonica and the great Fred Below on drums.  How can you not like a record with songs like Sloppy Drunk, Back Door Friend, and Ludella. Playing with Jimmy Rogers early in my career was a wonderful experience; to be able to play You’re The One and Walking By Myself (check out Big Walter’s solo on this one) with the guy who originally recorded and wrote those songs is something I will never forget.

Chicago the Blues Today: (Vangard) Mulitiple Artist and volumes

Volume 1. Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band, J. B. Hutto (who I worked with for six months) and his Hawks, Otis Spann’s South Side Piano.

Volume 2. Otis Rush Blues Band, Jimmy (James) Cotton Blues Band, Homesick James and his Dusters.

Volume 3. Johnny Shines Blues Band, Johnny Young’s South Side Blues Band, Big Walter Horton’s (I recorded two records with Big Walter) Blues Harp Band featuring Memphis Charlie (aka Charlie Musselwhite.)

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