Good Morning Mr. Blues

• Artist: Otis Spann
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 24, 1996
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Blues

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. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Good Morning Mr. Blues	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(3:25)
Love, Love, Love	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(2:31)
Riverside Blues		Otis Spann	(3:23)
Must Have Been the Devil	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(2:55)
Jelly Roll Baker	L. Johnson	Otis Spann	(4:12)
Trouble in Mind	Richard M. Jones	Otis Spann	(3:31)
Worried Life Blues	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(4:11)
T.B. Blues	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(4:15)
Spann's Boogie	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(2:16)
Don't You Know	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(4:31)
Goin' Down Slow	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(4:44)
The Skys Are Blue	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(3:36)
Keep Your Hands Out of My Pocket	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(2:53)
Boots and Shoes	Otis Spann	Otis Spann	(3:15)

Credits

Karl Emil Knudsen (Producer), John Koenig (Liner Notes), Stan Ricker (Mastering), Otis Spann (Piano), Otis Spann (Vocals), Otis Spann (Main Performer), Paul Stubblebine (Mastering), Chad Kassem (Reissue Producer), Liz Knaus (Layout Design)