Review:
Although Otis Spann will always be known as the piano player in the Muddy Waters band, his solo work should not be overlooked. Possessing a beautifully expressive voice, Spann was also a facile songwriter, and freed of the restrictions inherent in a working electric blues band, his solo sides find him stretching out on piano, as well. This set was recorded live in 1963 in a Copenhagen studio, and it features Spann mostly solo at the piano, although at least one track, the elegant "Trouble in Mind," adds the great Lonnie Johnson on electric guitar. Spann sounds relaxed and in control here, and his silky smooth piano runs combine with his smoky, soulful singing to create what will be a complete revelation to listeners who only know his work with Waters. Essentially, this is blues done at the more sophisticated end of the scale, and though it stops short of being true jazz, it has that timeless, airy feel of skillfully arranged improvisation. Highlights include the poignant and graceful "Love, Love, Love," the intriguing "Boots and Shoes," a wonderful rendition of "Worried Life Blues," and a powerful, stomping version of "Must Have Been the Devil," Spann's 1954 single from Chess Records. This same set, with the same running order, is also available from Storyville Records under the title Blues Masters, Vol. 10.
by Steve Leggett
https://www.allmusic.com/album/good-morning-mr-blues-mw0000619076
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Reseña:
Aunque Otis Spann siempre será conocido como el pianista de la banda Muddy Waters, su trabajo en solitario no debe ser pasado por alto. Poseedor de una voz bellamente expresiva, Spann fue también un compositor fácil, y liberado de las restricciones inherentes a una banda de blues eléctrico en funcionamiento, sus lados solistas lo encuentran estirado en el piano también. Este set fue grabado en vivo en 1963 en un estudio de Copenhague, y presenta a Spann mayormente como solista en el piano, aunque al menos una pista, la elegante "Trouble in Mind", añade el gran Lonnie Johnson en la guitarra eléctrica. Spann suena relajado y en control aquí, y sus suaves y sedosas ejecuciones al piano se combinan con su canto lleno de humo y alma para crear lo que será una completa revelación para los oyentes que sólo conocen su trabajo con Waters. Esencialmente, este es un blues hecho en el extremo más sofisticado de la escala, y aunque no llega a ser un verdadero jazz, tiene esa sensación atemporal y aireada de improvisación hábilmente arreglada. Lo más destacado es el conmovedor y elegante "Love, Love, Love", el intrigante "Boots and Shoes", una maravillosa interpretación de "Worried Life Blues", y una poderosa y contundente versión de "Must Have Have Been the Devil", el single de Spann de 1954 de Chess Records. Este mismo conjunto, con el mismo orden de ejecución, también está disponible en Storyville Records bajo el título Blues Masters, Vol. 10.
por Steve Leggett https://www.allmusic.com/album/good-morning-mr-blues-mw0000619076
Tracklist:
1 - Good Morning Mr. Blues - 3:19
2 - Love, Love, Love - 2:26
3 - Riverside Blues - 3:18
4 - Must Have Been The Devil - 2:49
5 - Jelly Roll Baker - 4:06
6 - Trouble In Mind - 3:27
7 - Worried Life Blues - 4:05
8 - T. B. Blues - 4:10
9 - Spann's Boogie - 2:11
10 - Don't You Know - 4:25
11 - Goin' Down Slow - 4:39
12 - The Skys Are Blue - 3:35
13 - Keep Your Hands Out Of My Pocket - 2:51
14 - Boots And Shoes - 3:11
Credits:
Engineer – Ivar Rosenberg
Executive-Producer – Karl Emil Knudsen
Guitar – Lonnie Johnson (tracks: 6)
Layout – Chris Olesen
Liner Notes – Paul Oliver
Piano, Vocals – Otis Spann
Written-By – O. Spann
Notes:
Recorded, Copenhagen, October 16, 1963.
Track 1-11 were originally issued on Storyville SLP 157 'Good Morning Blues'.
Track 12-13 were on SLP 168 'Piano Blues' and track 14 was on Storyville SLP 188 'The Best Of The Blues'.
The 14 tracks on this CD contains the complete Copenhagen session.
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