Otis Spann was heralded as the ultimate Chicago blues band pianist, but he could be a compelling performer by himself or, as on his landmark Candid LP, with just a guitarist. Robert Lockwood is, as always, a tasteful accompanist here as well as the vocalist on four songs, while Spann moans, stomps. and rumbles as only he could. This album, Spann’s first, recorded while he was still a member of the Muddy Waters band, came out on Candid, a jazz/blues subsidiary of Archie Bleyer’s Cadence label. Cadence’s top crooner, Andy Williams, later bought Bleyer out and started the Barnaby label. The Spann LP was reissued on Barnaby and other U.S. and European labels. Additional sides from this August 21, 1960, New York session featuring Spann with Lockwood and singer St. Louis Jimmy were released on a Crosscut LP in Germany and on a Mosaic box set.
Released on LP as Candid CJM-8001 (mono)/CJS-9001 (stereo) in 1961.
Otis Spann, vocal* and piano with Robert Lockwood, Jr., vocal(**) and guitar.
The Hard Way/Take A Little Walk With Me**/Otis In The Dark/Little Boy Blue**/Country Boy/Beat-Up Team/My Daily Wish**/Great Northern Stomp/I Got Rambling On My Mind #2**/Worried Life Blues
Discographical details from The Blues Discography 1943-1970.