Otis Spann - Good Morning Mr. Blues (1962/1996/2017) [DSD128 + Hi-Res FLAC]

Posted By: HDV

Date: June 21, 2024

Good Morning Mr. Blues from Chicago pianist Otis Spann has been cherished by audiophiles over the decades since its initial LP release. Remastered with the proprietary 2xHD Fusion process, it is now available in all high-resolution formats. Recorded in Copenhagen for the Storyville label in 1962 while Spann was on tour with Muddy Waters, the material showcases the pianist in an unusual setting, unaccompanied or in duet with a single supporting guitar. Spann interprets blues standards and his own originals, many of which seem like spur-of-the-moment improvisations. Because of the clarity of both the sound and the sparseness of the accompaniment, the album constitutes a valuable document of Chicago blues piano at its finest.

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 1962 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.

Tracklist:

01 - Good Morning Mr. Blues
02 - Love, Love, Love
03 - Riverside Blues
04 - Must Have Been The Devil
05 - Jelly Roll Baker
06 - Trouble in Mind
07 - Worried Life Blues
08 - T.B. Blues
09 - Spann's Boogie
10 - Don't You Know?
11 - Goin' Down Slow
12 - The Skies are Blue
13 - Keep Your Hands Out of My Pocket
14 - Boots and Shoes

Originally Produced by Karl Emil Knudsen.
Recorded on October 16, 1962 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
2xHD Mastering: René Laflamme. Executive Producer: André Perry.

Musicians:
Otis Spann - piano
Lonnie Johnson - guitar

Dynamic Range Report

Analyzed: Otis Spann / Good Morning Mr. Blues
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
DR15 -6.40 dB -26.13 dB 3:24 01-Good Morning Mr. Blues
DR16 -6.02 dB -27.12 dB 2:32 02-Love, Love, Love
DR15 -7.21 dB -26.60 dB 3:24 03-Riverside Blues
DR14 -7.96 dB -25.73 dB 2:55 04-Must Have Been The Devil
DR18 -8.84 dB -31.94 dB 4:11 05-Jelly Roll Baker
DR15 -11.12 dB -31.01 dB 3:31 06-Trouble in Mind
DR16 -9.48 dB -31.87 dB 4:09 07-Worried Life Blues
DR14 -8.43 dB -28.67 dB 4:15 08-T.B. Blues
DR15 -6.51 dB -28.50 dB 2:15 09-Spann's Boogie
DR16 -9.89 dB -31.54 dB 4:31 10-Don't You Know?
DR16 -8.56 dB -28.77 dB 4:45 11-Goin' Down Slow
DR16 -9.34 dB -30.33 dB 3:36 12-The Skies are Blue
DR14 -9.12 dB -26.96 dB 2:52 13-Keep Your Hands Out of My Pocket
DR16 -10.42 dB -31.09 dB 3:16 14-Boots and Shoes
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Number of tracks: 14
Official DR value: DR15

Samplerate: 5644800 Hz / PCM Samplerate: 88200 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 1
Bitrate: 11290 kbps
Codec: DSD128
================================================================================

Thanks to the Original customer!