Muddy Waters: You Can't Loose What You Aint Never Had

One of my favorite Muddy tunes. 

Sonny Boy Williamson: Nine Below Zero

Sonny Boy Williamson with Otis Spann on piano and introduced by Memphis Slim!

Otis Spann: St. Louis Blues

Here is a video of Otis Spann at Newport in 1960. He is performing WC Handy's St. Louis Blues. Spann was an amazing piano player who was Muddy Water's right hand man for many years. I found Spann by accident. When I was in high school and trying to steal every lick Billy Powell played, I stumbled upon an old cassette tape that featured heroes of rock and roll. On the backside was Otis Spann. The first time I heard it I was blown away. All those licks of Billy Powell, were right there, and a ton more! Needless to say it was a life changing experience!

Otis Spann: Aint Nobody's Business If I Do

If there was one keyboard player that I stole more licks from, and wished that he had lived long enough that I could have met him, was Otis Spann. To my ear Otis spann was the best blues piano player to have ever lived. His right had was amazingly fast, and his left hand seemed to have a mind of its own. Add all that up and he could sing. He could have been a star in his own right, but he was loyal to Muddy Waters, and was his back up man. Yet, Muddy was great because he encouraged and allowed his sidemen to take over the show and in turn they all became legends not only in Chicago, but around the world.

John Lee Hooker: My Own Fault

John Lee Hooker from around 1960 with Muddy Waters band backing up.

Muddy Waters: Long Distance Call

This is an awesome video of Muddy Waters singing about a love that is a long ways from home. Muddy's voice and his guitar always had this incredible gift for the blues. Perhaps he wasn't as technically proficient as some of his contemporaries, but he could make the guitar sing in such a lonesome way that it gives chills down your back.

Otis Spann: Cold Cold Feeling

One of my blues hero's Otis Spann singing Cold Cold Feeling. I don't know if this song originated with Otis Spann, (If anyone knows please comment or email) I do know that their is another shorter version of the song that is in a minor key that I first heard Oliver Reilly play down in KC. I liked it so much that I have done the minor key version. However, I do like the song in a major key as well.

Artist Of The Week: Otis Spann

Artist of the week is the great Otis Spann. Otis influenced my piano playing more than any other bluesman. His strong left hand, and speedy right hand make him one of the greats. Furthermore, he could play more than boogie. He played most of his career with Muddy Waters, and was Muddy's first call piano player. Otis also recorded a few albums on his own. perhaps the most famous was recorded in England with Muddy's band backing him up, and a guest appearance by a very young Eric Clapton. Otis died young he was 40 years old when he died of Liver failure in 1970. The videos are on the Google video bar located on the side of the blog. Sometimes the videos vary, but right now at least the first three are Otis.

Otis Spann: The Blues Don't Love Anyone

Otis Spann with Willie Dixon and SP Leary. The master of Chicago Boogie Woogie piano!