The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions - Otis Spann Album Review

Album Review

Otis Spann’s life was cut short at the age of 40. The classy blues keyboard player recorded this album, complete with false starts and different takes, a year before he died. A band member of Muddy Waters for many years, playing on several of his famous records, Spann was regarded as one of the finest contemporary players. He also contributed to Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Floyd Jones and Johnny Young recordings. It was his trip to Europe with Waters during the 1963 AFBF that brought him international recognition. These sessions from 1969 and produced by Mike Vernon / Mike Vernon and Marshall Chess, catch Spann at his Delta dazzling best. As you can see from the tracklisting, there are various takes, including false starts ( and corrections ) which show how professional the recordings were.

His trademark Mississippi tumbling piano tinkles and husky voice are littered across the entire collection, whether it be blasts such as Walkin’, Dig You and No More Doggin’, or the nice and slow numbers – Ain’t Nobody’s Business, Bloody Murder, Someday Soon Baby, Temperature Rising and Blues For Hippies.

Another highlight of the session is the incredible backing band in its various forms: Fleetwood Mac members Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and legendary Bluesman Willie Dixon.

Musical highlight is the mesmerising guitar solo on Track 8, CD 1 and again, track 7 CD2, presumably by Peter Green.

Elly Roberts