b. April 29th, 1934 in Philadelphia (Mississippi)
d. September 29th, 2018 in Chicago (Illinois)
HIS COBRA RECORDINGS
Paula
THE CLASSIC RECORDINGS
Charly
THE CLASSIC COBRA RECORDINGS
Varese - Sarabande
GOOD 'UN'S
Westside
July 1956 - 1958
Fils de Julia Campbell et d'Otis C. Rush, il travaille d'abord à la ferme familiale avec ses six frères et soeurs. Dès ses 8 ans, Otis apprend la guitare. Arrivé à Chicago pendant l'hiver 1948, il rencontre Muddy Waters dans un club de la ville qui lui fait une forte impression. Otis se met à la guitare et habite sur Wentworth Avenue. Repéré par Willie Dixon et Eli Toscano au 708 Club, Otis grave ses premiers morceaux pour Cobra. Dans les studios Cobra sur West Roosevelt Road, il grave les plus belles pépites de ce que l'on appellera plus tard le West Side Sound. Une production magnifique qui aura une énorme influence bien au-delà du Blues : "I can't quit you baby", "Sit down baby", "My love will never die", "Groaning the blues", "Love that woman", "Jump sister Bessie", "Three times a fool", "It takes time", "All your love (I miss loving)". Derrière Otis Rush - au chant intense, très émotionnel et constamment brillant à la guitare - il y a lors de ces séances Walter Horton, Lafayette Leake, Wayne Bennett, Little Walter, Jody Williams, Little Brother Montgomery, Ike Turner. Mais les ennuis financiers d'Eli Toscano (qui était un joueur invétéré) précipitent la fermeture des labels Cobra et Artistic.
Son of Julia Campbell and Otis C. Rush, he first worked on the family farm with his six siblings. From the age of 8, Otis learned the guitar. Arrived in Chicago during the winter of 1948, he met Muddy Waters in a city's club which made a strong impression on him. Otis takes up the guitar and lives on Wentworth Avenue. Spotted by Willie Dixon and Eli Toscano at 708 Club, Otis cuts his first songs for Cobra. In the Cobra studios on West Roosevelt Road, he engraves the most beautiful gems of what we would later call the West Side Sound. A magnificent production which will have a huge influence far beyond the Blues : "I can't quit you baby", "Sit down baby", "My love will never die", "Groaning the blues", "Love that woman", "Jump sister Bessie", "Three times a fool", "It takes time", "All your love (I miss loving)". Behind Otis Rush - with intense, very emotional vocals and constantly brilliant on guitar - during these sessions there is Walter Horton, Lafayette Leake, Wayne Bennett, Little Walter, Jody Williams, Little Brother Montgomery, Ike Turner. But the financial troubles of Eli Toscano (who was a die-hard gambler) precipitated the bankruptcy of Cobra and Artistic labels.
DOOR TO DOOR
Chess - MCA
January - September 1960
Quand Cobra ferme ses portes en 1959, Otis Rush suit Willie Dixon chez Chess. Mais Leonard Chess ne semble pas détecter le potentiel d'Otis Rush. Pour le célèbre label de Chicago, Otis ne grave finalement que huit titres, pourtant superbes : "I can't stop", "I'm satisfied" (en fait une relecture de "Keep on lovin' me baby"), une remarquable nouvelle version de "All your love", "You know my love" et le sublime "So many roads". Malheureusement, sa carrière chez Chess se résume à cette poignée de titres en quelques mois.
When Cobra closed in 1959, Otis Rush followed Willie Dixon to Chess. But Leonard Chess doesn't seem to detect Otis Rush's potential. For the famous label of Chicago, Otis only records eight titles, however superb : "I can't stop", "I'm satisfied" (in fact a rereading of "Keep on lovin' me baby"), a remarkable new version of "All your love", "You know my love" and the sublime "So many roads". Unfortunately, his career at Chess comes down to this handful of titles in a few months.
CHICAGO GUITAR KILLERS
Blue Night
January 1960
I'M SATISFIED
Soul Jam
September 1962
Cette compilation regroupe ses morceaux Cobra et Chess. Mais on y trouve aussi deux titres plus rares provenant de sa courte collaboration avec le label Duke. Après avoir quitté Chess, Otis Rush signe un contrat de cinq ans avec la firme Duke de Don Robey mais celui-ci ne débouche sur rien. Finalement, Otis n'enregistre qu'un seul simple : l'excellent "Homework" avec ses cuivres puissants et "I have to laugh".
This compilation includes his Cobra and Chess tracks. But there are also two rarer tracks from his short collaboration with the Duke label. After having left Chess, Otis Rush signs a five-year contract with Don Robey's firm Duke, but it comes to nothing. In the end, Otis only records one single : the excellent "Homework" with its powerful brass and "I have to laugh".
CHICAGO THE BLUES TODAY vol.2
Vanguard
December 1965
Après l'échec de sa collaboration avec Duke, Otis Rush n'a plus enregistré depuis plusieurs années quand Sam Charters lui propose de figurer sur sa célèbre anthologie. En grande forme, il livre de superbes blues comme "It's a mean old world", "It's my own fault", une nouvelle version de "I can't quit you baby" ainsi que deux instrumentaux percutants ("Rock").
After the failure of his collaboration with Duke, Otis Rush has not recorded for several years when Sam Charters offers him to appear on his famous anthology. In great shape, he delivers superb blues like "It's a mean old world", "It's my own fault", a new version of "I can't quit you baby" as well as two exciting instrumentals ("Rock").
WINDY CITY BLUES
Blue Moon
LIVE IN CHICAGO
Intermedia
LIVE AT CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL
Cleo
LIVE IN THE WINDY CITY
Columbia
May 1966
Concert probablement capturé à l'Université de Chicago. Malgré une qualité sonore un peu limitée, les 4 titres joués par Otis Rush méritent largement l'écoute avec notamment deux reprises de James Brown. La seconde moitié du disque est consacrée à Little Walter.
Concert probably captured at the University of Chicago. Despite a somewhat limited sound quality, the 4 tracks played by Otis Rush are well worth listening to notably including two covers of James Brown. The second half of the disc is devoted to Little Walter.
THE AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL 1962 - 1966
Hip-O
October 1966
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL '66
Fontana
L+R
Bellaphon
October 1966
Sa participation à cette fameuse tournée européenne permit à Otis Rush d'étendre sa notoriété vers un nouveau public même si sa carrière n'arrive pas à décoller véritablement. Dans ce recueil, deux excellents titres : "All your love" et le blues lent "My own fault". Otis est accompagné de Little Brother Montgomery (piano), Jack Meyers (basse) et Fred Below (batterie).
His participation in this famous european tour allowed Otis Rush to spread his notoriety to a new audience even if his career did not take off truly. In this collection, two excellent titles : "All your love" and the slow blues "My own fault". Otis is accompanied by Little Brother Montgomery (piano), Jack Meyers (bass) and Fred Below (drums).
LOOK OUT SAM
Scout
October 1966
Un titre issu de la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival de 1966, le remarquable "It takes time".
A track from the 1966 American Folk Blues Festival tour, the remarkable "It takes time".
MOURNING IN THE MORNING
Cotillion
Atlantic
February 1969
Cet album fut enregistré sous la supervision de Nick Gravenites et Mike Bloomfield pour Cotillion (une marque appartenant à Atlantic). Ils emmènent Otis Rush enregistrer aux Fame Studios de Muscle Shoals. Le son fait la part belle aux arrangements de cuivres et parfois la voix et la guitare d'Otis Rush ont du mal à émerger. Ceci dit, cet album puissant teinté de Soul et de Rock reste d'un excellent niveau avec des moments remarquables comme "Working man", "You're killing my love", "Gambler's blues", "My love will never die", "It takes time". On peut mentionner la dynamique section rythmique constituée de Gerry Jemmott (basse) et Roger Hawkins (batterie) qui porte l'album.
This album was recorded under the supervision of Nick Gravenites and Mike Bloomfield for Cotillion (an imprint owned by Atlantic). They take Otis Rush to record at Muscle Shoals Fame Studios. The sound gives pride of place to brass arrangements and sometimes the voice and guitar of Otis Rush have difficulty in emerging. That said, this powerful album tinged with Soul and Rock remains at an excellent level with remarkable moments like "Working man", "You're killing my love", "Gambler's blues", "My love will never die", "It takes time". We can mention the dynamic rhythm section made up of Gerry Jemmott (bass) and Roger Hawkins (drums) who carries the album.
RIGHT PLACE WRONG TIME
Bullfrog
Blue Silver
Hightone
Edsel
P-Vine
February 1971
En novembre 1970, par l'entremise de son manager Albert Grossman, Otis signe chez Capitol. Quelques semaines plus tard, il commence l'enregistrement de nouvelles faces à San Francisco co-produites par Nick Gravenites. Malheureusement, Capitol n'éditera jamais le matériel et il faudra 5 ans pour que cet album voit enfin le jour chez Bullfrog après qu'Otis ait racheté les droits de ces bandes. Pourtant, le contenu est remarquable de bout en bout. Otis est impérial à la guitare et son chant passionné et toujours aussi émotionnel. Dans ce programme intense, on peut retenir "Right place wrong time", l'instrumental "Easy go", "Three times a fool", "You turn to cry" et "Lonely man".
In november 1970, through his manager Albert Grossman, Otis signed with Capitol. A few weeks later, he began recording new sides in San Francisco co-produced by Nick Gravenites. Unfortunately, Capitol would never edit the material and it will take 5 years for this album to finally see the light of day on Bullfrog after Otis redeemed the rights of these tapes. Yet the content is remarkable from start to finish. Otis is imperial on guitar and his vocals are passionate and always so emotional. In this intense program, we can point out "Right place wrong time", the instrumental "Easy go", "Three times a fool", "You turn to cry" and "Lonely man".
ANN ARBOR BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL 1972
Atlantic
September 1972
Sur la scène de ce fameux festival de Blues, Otis livre une belle et furieuse version de "Gambler's blues".
On the stage of this famous Blues festival, Otis delivers a beautiful and furious version of "Gambler's blues".
DOUBLE TROUBLE : LIVE IN CAMBRIDGE
Rockbeat
May 1973
Concert capturé au club Joe's Place et édité en 2015 par Rockbeat. La qualité sonore n'est pas si mauvaise et la set-list plutôt plaisante. Mais il reste inférieure à la plupart de ses autres albums live.
Concert captured at Joe's Place club and edited in 2015 by Rockbeat. The sound quality is not that bad and the set-list is quite pleasant. But it remains less than most of his other live albums.
ANN ARBOR BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL 1973
P-Vine
September 1973
SCREAMIN' AND CRYIN'
Black & Blue
Evidence
November 1974
Etrange album gravé en France pendant la tournée du Chicago Blues Festival où Otis Rush n'est pas du tout à l'aise. Hurlant sa souffrance, chantant approximativement, Otis semble émotionnellement au fond du trou. Son jeu de guitare est également mal assuré réussissant seulement par intermittence à retrouver l'inspiration.
Strange album recorded in France during the tour of the Chicago Blues Festival where Otis Rush is not at all comfortable. Screaming his pain, singing approximatively, Otis seems deep in the hole emotionally. His guitar playing is also uncertain, only intermittently managing to regain inspiration.
COLD DAY IN HELL
Delmark
April - May 1975
Pour le label Delmark et les producteurs Robert Koester et Steve Tomashefsky, cet album est gravé lors de deux séances en avril et mai 1975. On trouve de bons moments dans ce disque un peu long et inégal mais globalement Otis ne parvient pas à retrouver la verve dont il pouvait faire preuve à son meilleur.
For the Delmark label and producers Robert Koester and Steve Tomashefsky, this album was recorded during two sessions in april and may 1975. There are good times in this album a little long and uneven but overall Otis does not manage to find the verve which he could show at his best.
BLUES LIVE
Trio
SO MANY ROADS
Delmark
July 1975
Concert au Japon gravé lors d'une tournée avec différents artistes. Otis Rush est en pleine forme - au chant et à la guitare - et ses musiciens compétents mais discrets (Jimmy Johnson, Sylvester Boines, Tyrone Centuray). Le programme un peu long aurait gagné à être raccourci. On retrouve de belles versions de ses standards "I can't quit you baby" et "All your love".
Concert in Japan captured during a tour with different artists. Otis Rush is in great shape - on vocals and guitar - and his musicians competent but quiet (Jimmy Johnson, Sylvester Boines, Tyrone Centuray). The somewhat long program would have benefited from being shortened. We find beautiful versions of his standards "I can't quit you baby" and "All your love".
ALL YOUR LOVE I MISS LOVING
Delmark
January 1976
Cet enregistrement a été réalisé par Ken Rasek pour une diffusion sur la radio WXRT. La qualité sonore est excellente. Otis Rush sur la scène du Wise Fools Pub à Chicago apparait en verve et est bien secondé par son groupe régulier : Alberto Gianquinto (piano), Bob Levis (guitare), Bob Stroger (basse) et Jesse Green (batterie). Probablement son meilleur opus live.
This recording was made by Ken Rasek for broadcast on WXRT radio. The sound quality is excellent. Otis Rush on stage at Wise Fools Pub in Chicago appears in verve and is well supported by his regular backing band : Alberto Gianquinto (piano), Bob Levis (guitar), Bob Stroger (bass) and Jesse Green (drums). Probably his best live opus.
LIVE IN EUROPE
Isabel
Evidence
October 1977
Ce disque capture le concert d'Otis Rush au festival Jazz Pulsations de Nancy (France). Il est publié sur le label Isabel de Didier Tricard (puis repris par le label américain Evidence en CD). Otis joue avec son orchestre régulier et livre une performance inspirée en dépit de quelques longueurs.
This record captures Otis Rush's concert at the Jazz Pulsations festival in Nancy (France). It was published on Didier Tricard's Isabel label (then reissued by the american label Evidence on CD). Otis plays with his regular backing band and delivers an inspired performance despite a few lengths.
TROUBLES TROUBLES
Sonet
Verve
THE SONET BLUES STORY
Verve
LOST IN THE BLUES
Alligator
Sonet
October 1977
Gravé en Suède en 2 jours pour le label Sonet, cet album est produit par Sam Charters. Pour cet opus studio, Otis Rush se contente de reprendre quelques standards du blues (Willie Dixon, Jimmy Reed, B.B. King) avec compétence mais sans beaucoup de flamme. Par rapport au LP original, on trouve 2 prises alternatives supplémentaires dans la version CD Verve. En 1991, le producteur Bruce Iglauer - pour son label Alligator - remixe l'album, coupe certains passages de guitare et fit ajouter des claviers par Lucky Peterson et Allen Batts en overdubs. Il renomma l'album "Lost in the blues". Cette réédition fut assez controversée à sa sortie mais elle était semble t-il conforme aux exigences d'Otis qui aurait souhaité des claviers lors de l'enregistrement original.
Engraved in Sweden in 2 days for the Sonet label, this album is produced by Sam Charters. For this studio opus, Otis Rush is content to cover some blues standards (Willie Dixon, Jimmy Reed, B.B. King) competently but without much flame. Compared to the original LP, there are 2 additional alternative takes in the Verve CD version. In 1991, producer Bruce Iglauer - for his Alligator label - remixed the album, cut some guitar passages and had keyboards added by Lucky Peterson and Allen Batts in overdubs. He renamed the album "Lost in the blues". This reissue was quite controversial when it was released but it seems to comply with Otis' requirements which would have liked keyboards during the original recording.
TAKE A LOOK BEHIND
Weeping Goat
July 1978
TENTH ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY vol.1
Antone's
July 1985
Sur la scène du club Antone's à Austin (Texas), il livre une belle version de son "Double trouble".
On the stage of the Antone's club in Austin (Texas), he delivers a beautiful version of his "Double trouble".
TOPS
Blind Pig
Demon
October 1985
Après une longue absence, Otis fait un retour en 1985 lors d'une tournée américaine matérialisée par l'album "Tops". Le disque reprend le concert donné sur la scène du San Francisco Blues Festival cette année là. Il est accompagné du Bobby Murray Band. Il y a une bonne entente musicale dans ce programme qui s'écoute avec plaisir.
After a long absence, Otis made a comeback in 1985 during an american tour materialized by the album "Tops". The album compiles the concert given on the stage of San Francisco Blues Festival that year. He is accompanied by the Bobby Murray Band. There is a good musical harmony in this program which is listened to with pleasure.
NATURAL MAN
Blues Tune
LIVE AT MONTREUX 86
Eagle
July 1986
Passage d'Otis Rush sur la scène du fameux festival de Montreux en Suisse. Pour l'occasion, le bluesman donne le meilleur de lui-même bien supporté par le groupe du "Professor" Eddie Lusk (très en verve aux claviers). Sur certains morceaux, Otis est rejoint par Eric Clapton et Luther Allison pour des jams puissantes et inspirées. Il faut faire attention car "Natural man" et "Live at Montreux 86" n'ont pas exactement la même tracklist bien qu'ils proviennent du même concert.
Passage of Otis Rush on the stage of the famous festival of Montreux in Switzerland. For the occasion, the bluesman gives the best of himself, well supported by the "Professor" Eddie Lusk (very lively on keyboards) backing band. On some tracks, Otis is joined by Eric Clapton and Luther Allison for powerful and inspired jams. We have to be careful because "Natural man" and "Live at Montreux 86" do not have exactly the same tracklist although they come from the same concert.
BLUES INTERACTION
P-Vine
LIVE IN JAPAN
Sequel
December 1986
Appréciant énormément le Japon où il est très populaire - et épousant Masaki une japonaise - il était normal de retrouver Otis sur une scène japonaise. Pour ce concert inégal, il est accompagné par un groupe japonais Breakdown. Un album live mineur à conseiller surtout aux fans confirmés.
Very much appreciating Japan where he is very popular - and marrying Masaki a japanese woman - it was normal to find Otis on a japanese stage. For this uneven concert, he is accompanied by Breakdown, a japanese band. A minor live album to recommend especially to confirmed fans.
LIVE AND AWESOME
Genes
Mid 1980's
Encore un concert d'Otis Rush avec les titres habituels sans véritablement de surprise. A conseiller avant tout aux complétistes.
Another Otis Rush concert with the usual titles without any real surprise. Recommended above all for completists.
LIVE IN CHICAGO '88
Klondike
June 1988
Le disque est partagé équitablement entre Otis Rush et Buddy Guy. Ces performances furent captées lors du Chicago Blues Festival en juin 1988 par la radio WBEZ. Par conséquent, la qualité sonore s'avère plutôt correcte même si la musique reste relativement conventionnelle.
The disc is shared equally between Otis Rush and Buddy Guy. These performances were captured at the Chicago Blues Festival in june 1988 by WBEZ radio. Consequently, the sound quality is rather correct even if the music is relatively conventional.
ANTONE'S ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY vol.2
Antone's
July 1991
Une version puissante de "Natural ball" sur la scène du club Antone's à Austin.
A powerful version of "Natural ball" on the stage of the Antone's club in Austin.
WE WANT MOORE JAGGER
Rock 'It
June 1992
AIN'T ENOUGH COMIN' IN
This Way Up
1994
Premier album en 17 ans (en 1986, Otis Rush avait abandonné un projet d'album chez Rooster après une dispute), il s'agit du véritable retour aux affaires d'Otis Rush produit par John Porter pour le label This Way Up (appartenant à Quicksilver). On trouve une belle relecture de son "Homework", un excellent "Ain't enough comin' in" et une poignée de reprises inspirées qui permettent d'écouter Otis dans un registre un peu différent. Il n'a rien perdu de son chant expressif et de son jeu de guitare tranchant. L'édition CD japonaise contient un morceau supplémentaire.
First album in 17 years (in 1986, Otis Rush had abandoned an album project for Rooster after an argument), this is the real return to business of Otis Rush produced by John Porter for the This Way Up label (owned by Quicksilver). There is a nice rereading of his "Homework", an excellent "Ain't enough comin' in" and a handful inspired covers that allow you to listen to Otis in a slightly different register. He hasn't lost any of his expressive vocals and sharp guitar playing. Japanese CD edition contains an additional song.
THEY CALL ME SHUN
King
ME AND MY GUITAR
Bluesox
June - August 1995
Dans cet album du guitariste japonais Shunsuke Kikuta, Otis joue une longue version de son "Take a look behind".
In this album of japanese guitarist Shunsuke Kikuta, Otis plays a long version of his "Take a look behind".
ANY PLACE I'M GOING
House of Blues
1998
Gravé à Memphis et co-produit par Willie Mitchell, Otis & Masaki Rush pour le label House of Blues, il s'agit du dernier album studio de ce vénérable bluesman. On retrouve le son de Memphis de Willie Mitchell teinté de soul cuivrée. On retient "You fired yourself", "Keep on loving me baby", "I got the blues", "Laughin' and clownin'", "Have you ever had the blues", "Walking the back streets and crying".
Recorded in Memphis and co-produced by Willie Mitchell, Otis & Masaki Rush for the House of Blues label, this is the last studio album of this venerable bluesman. We find the Memphis sound by Willie Mitchell tinged with brassy soul. We can point out "You fired yourself", "Keep on loving me baby", "I got the blues", "Laughin' and clownin'", "Have you ever had the blues", "Walking the back streets and crying".
BLUES POWER : SONGS OF ERIC CLAPTON
House of Blues
1999
Dans ce disque hommage à Eric Clapton, Otis reprend l'intéressant "Old love".
In this tribute record to Eric Clapton, Otis covers the interesting "Old love".
WHOLE LOTTA BLUES : SONGS OF LED ZEPPELIN
House of Blues
1999
Associé à Eric Gales, Otis reprend "I can't quit you baby" dans ce disque consacré à Led Zeppelin.
Associated with Eric Gales, Otis covers "I can't quit you baby" in this disc dedicated to Led Zeppelin.
LIVE AND IN CONCERT FROM SAN FRANCISCO
Blues Express
December 1999
Excellent live dans lequel Otis brille à la guitare propulsé par un groupe vraiment puissant ("All your love", "717"). Un album live très plaisant qui mérite une écoute attentive. En 2013, une attaque invalidante le diminue fortement et met quasiment un terme à sa carrière. Il apparait encore au Chicago Blues Festival en juin 2016 mais sans pouvoir jouer et décède finalement en 2018.
Excellent live album in which Otis shines on guitar propelled by a really powerful band ("All your love", "717"). A very pleasant live album that deserves careful listening. In 2013, a debilitating stroke greatly diminished him and almost put an end to his career. He still appears at the Chicago Blues Festival in june 2016 but without being able to play and eventually died in 2018.