Otis Spann

• 180-gram VIRGIN VINYL

• LIMITED EDITION

• The Complete Album + 1 Bonus Track

Widely considered the leading postwar Chicago Blues pianist, and best known for his extensive work in Muddy Waters’ group, Mississippi-born Otis Spann grew up under the tutelage of Big Maceo Merriweather and mastered the pounding barrelhouse piano style that Maceo brought with him to Chicago. During his tragically short life, Spann was a member of the Chess label house-band that backed no only Waters, but also Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Little Walter, Junior Wells, Willie Dixon, Bo Diddley, and Lowell Fulson, among others.

Otis Spann Is the Blues, recorded for the Candid label in 1960, was his debut LP as a leader, and presents his voice and piano in a duet with guitarist Robert Lockwood, Jr, who also sings on a few tracks.

PERSONNEL:

• OTIS SPANN – (piano & vocals)
• ROBERT LOCKWOOD, Jr. – (guitar & vocals)

• Spann sings on A1, A3, A5, B1, B3 & B5
• Lockwood sings on A2, A4, B2 & B4.
• A3 & B3 are solo piano performances by Otis Spann.

Recorded at Fine Recording Studios, New York, August 23, 1960.

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1 THE HARD WAY
• A2 TAKE A LITTLE WALK WITH ME
• A3 OTIS IN THE DARK
• A4 LITTLE BOY BLUE
• A5 COUNTRY BOY
• A6 OTIS’ BLUES (*)

• SIDE B
• B1 BEAT-UP TEAM
• B2 MY DAILY WISH
• B3 GREAT NORTHERN STOMP
• B4 I GOT RAMBLING ON MY MIND
• B5 WORRIED LIFE BLUES

• (*) Bonus track: Same date. Solo piano performance by Otis Spann.