Otis Spann - Good Morning Mr. Blues (Remastered) (2017) [Hi-Res/DSD]

If the Copenhagen sessions from Storyville yielded some memorable moments for Sonny Boy, the Otis Spann recording sessions could be summarized as some of his best. Totally focused on the instrument and voice, the listener is practically leaning over the piano enjoying every nuance of the keys and his incredible vocals-that is the blues. Otis Spann may have made more popular recordings with Muddy Waters, but he certainly wasn’t heard like this. After all the amplifier howlin' was over, one can understand why many of his contemporaries enjoyed having him play after hours shows following their concerts - it was so they could hear him like this.

This is one hell of an awesome recording. Listen to Spann breath as he wails on those keys. Hear his lips smack. Every nuance. Every detail.

More than 47 years after his death in 1970, at the age of 40, Otis Spann is still regarded as the quintessential Chicago Blues pianist.

This recording has been venerated by audiophiles throughout the years since its initial LP release. Remastered with 2xHD’s proprietary 2xHD Fusion Process it is now available in all high resolution formats on the 2xHD label.

„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, AMG)

Otis Spann, piano, vocals

Recorded 1962 in Copenhagen, Denmark

Digitally remastered