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The Biggest Thing Since Colossus

 
Album Review: The Biggest Thing Since Colossus
 

  • Artist: Otis Spann
  • Rating: StarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 1969
  • Total Time: 34:43
  • Genre: Blues

Review

In January of 1969, British power blues quintet Fleetwood Mac came to Chess Records studios to jam with the likes of Willie Dixon, S.P. Leary, Honeyboy Edwards, and longtime Muddy Waters' pianist Otis Spann. The sessions were so rich and fruitful that three-fifths of the Mac (specifically bassist John McVie and guitarists Peter Green and Danny Kirwin) impressed Spann enough to cut a record with them at the same sessions. While the classic "Country Girl" and a seven-minute "Someday Soon Baby" (which features a lengthy intro from Green on which Spann can be heard barely off mic telling the rest of the band to "let him play on") ended up on the Mac's Blues Jam at Chess double set: remaining cuts included "Dig You" and "Walkin'" and are a near perfect match of Spann's exciting, emotive singing and the Mac's youthful muscle. The Biggest Thing Since Colossus was released on Mac manager/producer/strongman Mike Vernon's London-based Blue Horizon label. ~ John Duffy, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
My Love Depends on You Otis Spann Otis Spann (5:22)
Walkin' Otis Spann Otis Spann (2:54)
It Was a Big Thing Otis Spann Otis Spann (3:26)
Temperature Is Rising (100. 2 F) Otis Spann Otis Spann (6:13)
Dig You Otis Spann Otis Spann (3:04)
No More Doggin' Rosco Gordon, Jules Taub Otis Spann (3:00)
Ain't Nobody's Business Porter Grainger, Everett Robbins Otis Spann (5:15)
She Needs Some Loving Otis Spann Otis Spann (3:08)
I Need Some Air Otis Spann (4:40)
Someday Baby Otis Spann Otis Spann (3:02)

Credits

Fleetwood Mac (Performer), Danny Kirwan (Guitar), Mike Vernon (Producer), Mike Vernon (Liner Notes), John McVie (Bass), Peter Green (Guitar), S.P. Leary (Drums), Warren Slaten (Engineer), Otis Spann (Piano), Otis Spann (Vocals), Otis Spann (Main Performer), Terence Ibbott (Photography), Terence Ibbott (Sleeve Design), Richard Vernon (Coordination)
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Wikipedia: The Biggest Thing Since Colossus
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The Biggest Thing Since Colossus
The Biggest Thing Since Colossus cover
Studio album by Otis Spann
Released 1969
Recorded January 9, 1969
Genre Blues
Label Blue Horizon
Producer Mike Vernon
Professional reviews

The Biggest Thing Since Colossus is an album by American blues musician Otis Spann, released in 1969 (see 1969 in music). The album is also notable for the fact that Spann's backing band on this occasion were members of Fleetwood Mac, who were touring in America at the time. Spann had been involved in the recording of the Blues Jam at Chess album, and a rapport had been struck between Spann and the British band, which led to their participation on Spann's new album.

It was agreed beforehand that Spann's friend and longtime associate S.P. Leary would play drums on the album, and Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood did not take part in the recording. Guitarists Peter Green and Danny Kirwan, and bassist John McVie all contributed to each track, and it is often claimed that Green produced some of his best playing on this album.

"Walkin'" was released as a single in some countries, with "Temperature Is Rising (98.8°F)" (a different version to that found on the album) on the B-side. Another track was recorded at the sessions, "Blues For Hippies", which was not included on the album.

Track listing

  1. "My Love Depends On You" - (Spann)
  2. "Walkin'" - (Spann)
  3. "It Was A Big Thing" - (Spann)
  4. "Temperature Is Rising (100.2°F) - (Spann)
  5. "Dig You" - (Spann)
  6. "No More Doggin'" - (Gordon)
  7. "Ain't Nobody's Business" - (Jimmy Witherspoon)
  8. "She Needs Some Loving" - (Spann)
  9. "I Need Some Air" - (Spann)
  10. "Someday Baby" - (Spann)

Credits

Production

  • Producer: Mike Vernon
  • Engineer: Warren Slaten
  • Sleeve Design / Photography: Terence Ibbott

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Album Review. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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