Bigger Than Life: Chicago Blues Great Otis Rush
By Taters on January 19, 2008 at 4:47 PM in Music
Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, BB King, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughan all at one time or another have stated how much they profoundly respect and admire Otis Rush. When Muddy Waters says his music is “deep”, you can count on that. Singer/guitarist Otis Rush is truly the rarest of the rare when it comes to being a master of the blues. His depth, passion, mastery and sheer genius is unsurpassed.
Otis practices his calling with true humility, no gimmicks, stage theatrics, or guile. Like all great artists he plumbs the deepest parts of humanity for inspiration. While the soft spoken southpaw may not be a household name to many, any blues fan knows no one has done it any better than Otis. His immense talent is matched only by his sweetness, and Otis telling me he liked my playing still means the world to me.
When I think of any musical decision that I regret, what immediately comes to mind is passing on a tour of Japan with Otis. I’ll never forget how he refused my fee because it “wasn’t enough” and proceeded to offer a few thousand dollars more for me and the band. This was unheard of in an era where musicians would have to fight or prepare to fight in order to get paid, and I witnessed occassional gunplay in those days. (”The Blues Brothers” movie is more true to life than you might think). I had been playing with Etta James for a couple of years by that time, and after I agreed to the Japan date, a last minute gig with Etta forced me to cancel. Remembering that decision is painful to this day. Still , I was blessed to record with Otis on Tops, a 1985 live recording from the San Francisco Blues Festival.
I really cannot overstate his influence. Jeff Beck was dumbfounded when he heard Otis Rush for the first time. Eric Clapton has covered Double Trouble (namesake of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s band) and emulated Rush’s guitar on “All Your Love”(I Miss Lovin’) on his classic recording as a member of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Hearing Otis’ vocal nuances for the first time brings to mind just how much he has influenced Clapton. Jimmy Page lifted Otis’ “I Can’t Quit You Baby” almost verbatim on the the first Led Zeppelin album. Jazz great Pat Metheny told me Otis inspired him to “play for yourself”.
True to his craft, Otis never played politics. His lack of interest in schmoozing, or rock stars sitting in with him, or doing duets with big names would have frustrated any manager. This didn’t mean he wouldn’t have the “creme de la creme” in marquee names and musical icons at his disposal. When I backed Otis in San Francisco, Carlos Santana (a huge fan) came by and asked to sit in while we were playing. I passed Carlos my guitar. The audience went nuts, but Otis wasn’t thrilled and he beckoned for me to get back up and take my guitar back from Carlos. Another time at the now defunct Lone Star in NYC, Aykroyd and Belushi sauntered up to the bandstand. Otis walked off. Several of Otis’ contemporaries are the opposite in that regard. Otis’ pal and fellow Chicago blues great Buddy Guy has always encouraged rock stars to play with him. (Welcoming these opportunities is perhaps the reason Buddy is better known.)
Otis suffered a stroke in 2004 and has toured on a limited basis since then, as a singer. He is up for a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues this year for a recording entitled “Live and From San Francisco” which was recorded a few years prior to his stroke. I am proud and humbled to have made a cameo on it but regardless of that, I hope he wins. He deserves it and has given the world the very best of what this country has to offer. I love you Otis, and I always will.
Respectfully dedicated to Masaki Rush, Otis’ loving wife, companion and the other half of a great team.
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What a lovely tribute from a lovely man. All my love to you and all the people you love, especially the Rush family.
Tony B,
Thanks, I really appreciate the kind words.
I have lways admired the depth of the man and his music.
I passed Carlos my guitar.
You are humble human being. Thanks for the great read. Next time tell, Carlos to bring his own!
Thanks Taters! I love Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, but was unfamiliar with Otis Rush. You’ve inspired me to learn more and buy a CD.
TeakWood,
Thanks buddy. We did a gig once on a bill w/Santana in Cancun at a festival. There had to be 40k people there and it was nuts. He tore it up.
Leslie,
Muddy & John Lee yeah! Let me see what I can do regarding Otis. btw - Etta’s got NYC on the schedule in April two nights at BB King’s - I’d he happy to hook you up plus one. I understand Second Ave deli is closed
Oh Taters, you’re kidding! Are you going to be playing with Etta? I’d love to hear you play!!!! What’s the NYC schedule…. Looking up BB King Blues Club & Grill: Etta & the Roots Band will play April 14th-16th. Heh!
Taters - it closed in 2006 but last year the family (lead by the nephew) reopened the Deli a mile north on East 33rd . . I’m told it did not lose it’s soul. Being Left Coaster my best suggestion is Canters on Fairfax, discovered in my Sunset Strip Youth days . . . and still is the best Deli in L.A.
Jess Wonderin’
Thanks for the update. And the kind words.
Oh yeah, Canter’s is excellent! A great hang, too.
I’ve spent alot of time in LA and SoCal. I still do. I love LA! We were at the Wiltern a coupla weeks ago.
Prior to living here in Detroit,I lived in the SF Bay Area for 20 years.
Wow, three nights. You’re covered.
Taters,
Huh? Are you playing all three nights? I’ll see about going Monday night, April 14th.
I’ll double check.
Apr 14th - Apr 16…It says the same on my itinerary - I’m assuming it means thru, I’ll check w/mgmt on Tues. Regardless, you’re covered. I hope we have a night off in the City. Larry was going to come to Madison Square Garden last year when we were touring w/BB & Al Green but EJ was ill and we had to cancel the 1st leg.
This is too cool, Hoosier Hoops and some of his family is coming to ourgig in Nashville. I’ll try to cut and paste the current dates so other NQers can come.
TeakWood, what neck of the woods are you in?
When I was lid it was Great Neck, now it is No Ca wine country. Ever played Konocti?
TK,
I’ve never played there but I’m familiar with it but a lot of wonderful artists have.
Here’s two upcoming dates in May in Marin & Sacramento
MAY 16TH RADISSON HOTEL – OUTDOOR GROVE Sacramento, CA
500 Leisure Lane
MAY 17TH MARIN COUNTY CIVIC CENTER San Rafael, CA
I’ll put MAY 17TH,San Rafael, CA on the calender. God Speed Taters.
Cooooolll, thank you. But I’m happy to buy tickets, you know, and send the club a message. Please let me know what night you’re playing Taters, because that’s the night I want to go!
Leslie,
I truly appreciate your consideration but I must insist. I bet it’s all three. No worries, I’ll keep you posted.
damn - should have paid attention . . saw BB/A/Etta at Ironstone last year - Etta and Al were beyond expectations and BB was BB - my hat’s off to the bands and if you were part - impressive . . . never seen Etta, was told by “old timers” that it was a superior set. First blues exposure was Paul Butterfield in ‘66, that triggered the need to find the roots . . . love the stories/history weave, TX
No mention of Duane Allman? Why not? Eat a Peach.
SOS,
Otis’ “Mourning In the Morning” was recorded at Rick Hall’s Fame Recording studios in Muscle Shoals. The late great Duane Allman at the time was a big part of the Muscle Shoals crack studio band that had played on so many hits by artists such as Aretha, Wilson Pickett and numerous others. It was produced by Michael Bloomfield, (another great guitarist, who was also influenced by Otis and sadly, like Duane, left us all too soon) and an old friend, Nick Gravenites. (However I may never forgive Nick for putting his own penned, embarassingly bad “My Old Lady” on the record. Just kiddin’ about not forgiving him but he does deservedly get razzed about it.) It’s a wonderful recording that has stood the test of time and showcases Otis quite nicely.
My longtime friend and original Paul Butterfield alumnus, Mark Naftalin, along with now mega country producer Barry Beckett, played keys on the recording.
Nick Gravenites…name rings a bell, hell if I know why at the moment. Duane played slide like nobody’s biz…Dave Bromberg?
Taters, thanks for bringing back some memories. I haven’t listened to Otis Rush for quite awhile. But I have fond memories of when I was in Claremont CA high school; I discovered that the nearby Pomona Library had a large amount of records for checkout. It was my chance to hear a lot of music I’d heard about but couldn’t aford to buy.
Along with Otis Rush, I remember hearing for the first times Miles Davis, Jimmy Smith, Otis Spann, Erroll Garner and a host of others.
ybnormal,
Those are great artists you mentioned. I hear you. I was exposed to really fine music via my public library. A public library is how I “discovered” Julian Bream and John Williams, two great classical guitarists who were disciples of Segovia. I used to keep “It’s My Life Baby” by Jr. Wells checked out. (Allowing for others to do so too, of course.)
Oh yeah, the Sherlock Holmes audio tapes with Basil Rathbone were also available. Thank you for bringing back some good memories for me.
Mine is the normal 60-70’s rock-blues,read the liner notes,found Muddy Waters etc.,story.Got the Muscle Shoals album then somehow Otis slipped off my screen. Jump to about 1985,long weekend break in Wisconsin, kids with Grandma. On way back to S. Indiana,decide to spend night in Chicago.Ask Bellman for blues recomendation. He sends me out to market for a READER. After scanning,He points to B.L.U.E.S. on Halstead and says “I’ll be there”. Very small packed club, I normally need more air and space,but we stayed till the last note (3am?). Walked out knowing I’d seen a much under compensated master. Bellman made it After Midnite.
Kyle Young,
Thanks for your response. Liner notes - what would we have done without them? Sounds like we have taken a similar journey. I’ve had some great times at B.L.U.E.S and had a ton of fun there. Many great acts have performed there through the years, including Otis. I used to go to back and forth across the street from B.L.U.E.S. to Kingston Mines
And yes, there’s nothing like a good bellman who knows the ropes.
I played Chicago Blues Fest in ‘84, ‘85? and we were paid by check. Being from out of town, I had no way to cash it and the band needed money. Anyway, I went to B.L.U.E.S. and the owner said if I don’t mind waiting until after 2am, he would cash it for me. Well hell, Jimmy Johnson was playing so I sure didn’t mind waiting. Midwest hospitality at its finest. He cashed it and I was able to pay the band.
[…] Bigger Than Life: Chicago Blues Great Otis Rush Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, BB King, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Carlos Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughan all at one time or another have stated how much they profoundly … […]
Taters: Segovia. My dad took me took see him at Carnegie Hall . The guy had stubbly little fingers yet his hands were a blurr when he played. WOW I was hooked.
Wow, I hope I get to see Rush. Saw a hot one this past New Year’s Eve. Dickey Betts of the original Allman Bros at B.B. King’s. Betts is better now than even on the classic ‘Fillmore’ jams. I’ve seen him three times, he plays how he feels. If he’s drunk or pissed off–he’s like a rattlesnake on crystal. New Year’s he was in a sweet mood, so it was a lot of sweet country picking–’Blue Sky’ was manna. With Great Southern he puts back together the old Allmans set–long jams, two drummers, three guitarists–Dickey, son Duane Betts and Andy Aledort–two drummers. Dickey counted down to the New Year then broke into Old Acquaintances on his Les Paul–it was so classic. It was just too much when they went into Elizabeth Reed just after New Year’s. So I know it’s gonna be a good year.
WFR,
Thank you for an excellent report. Dickey Betts is a great guitarist, it sounds like you saw one helluva show.
Tal Wilkenfeld plays bass on Jeff Beck’s recent tours. She’s not just an emerging star, she’s a supernovae cluster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gO7FI_ogvA
Otis Rush does that hat some true justice. Real blues men wear black, it’s the attitude he puts on top of the ability that makes him a blues brand.
He honed the fire for kilns that shaped many of today’s best blues styles, and hammered out hits that would later be foundry points for founding new heavier music. Otis makes his guitar sing, something Clapton would emulate, along with personally powerful vocabulary presentation and story telling. Others note their efforts together on stage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPid-F18y9E
Eric’s recent band member was Doyle Bramhall II. The same way Otis connected to Eric he’s done so to Doyle. The next generation of blues is playing right now.
Forgive Otis for being insulated in some respects from playing with everyone. He had to hear his own voice above others, the blues reach everyone differently and the greats hear and play it like no others.
The blues experience is a way to dance with the devil. If you can’t take the heat he didn’t want you in on his vibe. That you could fire walk with him, Taters, tells people all they need to know.
Keepers of the flame, sharing some serious fire.
MM,
Thanks for the very kind words. Tal is absolutely amazing! And Doyle II is a no less a talent.
And Derek Trucks is as good as it gets, too. I’m going to check out your link to John Stewart.
If anyone is interested. This is a link to a John Stewart song, If You Should Remember Me. John died last night of a massive stroke. He was sixty eight. John was a long-time member of the Kingston Trio (He replaced Dave Guard) in the original line-up. He wrote many familiar song including Daydream Believer for the Monkees as well as songs like Chilly Wind by the Kingston Trio. He was probably the most (left) political of the members of that group and actually influenced their politics.
When they broke up he went on to a long solo career that ran the gamut from Rock to country to straight folk. He had a moderately successful rock album with the help of Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks with hits like GOLD and Midnight Wind and Lost Her in the Sun.
July You’re a Woman was the song that was sort of the model for Simon and Garfunkel’s THE BOXER. If you listen to them together the origin of the later Boxer is unmistakable.
Please enjoy if you have a few minutes. A true artist. I will miss his music.
http://home.comcast.net/~veritas20001/Remember.mp3
–DWD - Just tired
Hey “Taters”
Congratulations and Good luck with your endeavors! Your Reg Kehoe link from a few weeks ago at sst was an all time classic.
Your post here reminded me of Duane Allman, “Anthology”, hence the comment. After the original band initially broke up in the 1970‘s , many people around here began to follow “Sea Level”, with Chuck Leavell, Jai Johanny Johnson, Lamar Williams, Davis Causy, and Randall Bramlett. Bramlett still has a following in Athens GA where he lives. When he plays at the local clubs, many of the old Allman Bros. fans appears. Bit of a flashback to the era of Muscle Shoals.
I still believe the art work for their first album “Allman Bros.” band is “archetypal”. I never got to see Duane Allman play “live” as I was a few years too young for the time. But many of my older friends heard him play at Piedmont Park in Atlanta before the motorcycle accident.
When I lived in LA a few years ago, I met a very talented music producer named Steve Tyrell from New Orleans. He seemed to know the Blues scene really well.
Amazing all of this is percolating up on a website devoted to national security issues. Fantastic!
Hey SOS,
Thanks. Larry, like his colleague and friend, Pat Lang, both have a strong love of culture. So yes, I am completely flattered that I am allowed and even encouraged to post my occasional musings here.
I had the good fortune to see Duane with the Allman Brothers, it really was one of those concerts that I will always remember - despite being a mere lad at the time.
Incredibly tight, no nonsense, excellent musicianship, really imaginative improvisation, deeply drawing from the blues well - and just when you thought the last song took you as far as one could possibly be taken, the next tune took you even farther. They played every song as if it was their last. if I recall, my friend Elvin Bishop was the opener. (Elvin was a National Merit Scholar, his knowledge of Japanese and kanji is close to the late Amb. Reischauer’s - IMHO - although he is far too modest to admit it.)
To Bloomfleld and Gravenites’ credit - they wanted to do an Otis Rush recording with a real budget and the best possible players - and with the Muscle Shoals A Team - they did just that. The best bandleaders just about always have been the best sidemen during their tenure as such - and Duane was no exception.
Taters: Outstanding post..
Do you remember the Hooker & Heat album with Canned Heat backing up Johnny Hooker? I liked Boggie Children the best.. Canned Heat was one of my all time favorite bands..When Blind Owl Wilson died i was devestated..when Bob Hite passed on the band faded away.( I wonder who ever got his 20,000 blues albums they claimed he had?) Henry Vestine was the man on guitar, I guess he originally played with Zappa but caught smoking and was let go..
The most under rated brilliant guitarist of all time? Zappa. IMO
Your posts are my favorite to read!!
I love the writings of Taters. The stories & incite from a real blues man.
I have had the honor of sharing the stage with the writer of this piece.
He is one of the great players that I look up to.
He is a major influence on my playing & many others.
Just like all the greats BB King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy he has a kind heart & will always make time to talk to his fans.
If anyone has the opportunity to see him with Etta James, you will feel the soul & power that he projects onstage. He is the real deal.
I’m not one to kiss a**. I just speak the truth.
Taters please keep up the good work!!