*Stinging Electric Blues Guitar-Otis Rush Is In The Room

Click On Title To Link To The Otis Rush Website.

CD Review

All Your Love I Miss Loving: Live At The Wise Fool Club, Otis Rush, Delmark, 2005

Okay, okay I have been talking about doing a review of the legendary electric blues guitarist Otis Rush ever since I saw him on some DVDs in the “American Folk Blues “series from the 1960’s that I have reviewed earlier in this space. Arguably, the 1950’s and 1960’s were the heroic age of electric blues guitar with the likes of Muddy Waters, Hubert Sumlin (from Howlin’ Wolf’s band), Elmore James, the incredible T-Bone Walker and Brother Rush. What makes the case for his inclusion here is some very rippling solos where he runs the board.

Sometimes the quality of live performances especially in the days before better sound production technology was developed, as here at the famous blues club the “Wise Fool Club”, diminishes the quality of the sound. However, for a performer like Rush, having that live audience in front is the spark that takes them to flights of ....musical fancy. Put that together with Rush’s deep, powerful voice to match the intensity of the riffs and a self-selected back up band and you have the blues when they are dos.

You don’t believe me? Well, listen to a smoking “Sweet Little Angel” or the pathos of “Feel So Bad”. Or the pain of “You’re Breaking My Heart” or the frenetic longing of the title song “All Your Love I Miss Loving”. Case closed.


Sweet Little Angel - B.B. King

(B.B. King & Jules Taub)

I got a sweet little angel
I love the way she spread her wings
Yes, I got a sweet little angel
I love the way she spread her wings
Yes, when she spread her wings around me
I get joy in everything

You know I asked my baby for a nickel
And she gave me a twenty dollar bill
Oh, yes, I asked my baby for a nickel
And she gave me a twenty dollar bill
Whoa, you know I asked her for a little drink of liquor
And she gave me a whiskey still

Ah yes, asked my baby to quit me
Well, I do believe I will die
Yes, I asked my baby to quit me
Well, I do believe I will die
'Cause, if you don't love me little angel
Please, tell me the reason why

*The King Of The Slide Guitar, An Encore- Elmore James

Click on the title to link to a "YouTube" film clip of Elmore James performing his classic slide rendition of "It Hurts Me Too". Wow!

CD Review

Who’s Muddy Shoes, Elmore James with John Brim and others, MCA, 1969

Well, what did you NEED to listen to here? Obviously,”Dust My Broom”. On this CD though you MUST listen to Elmore on “Who’s Muddy Shoes?” Wow, it jumps right out at you. “Madison Blues”, “Talk To Me Baby” and “Stormy Monday” round out the minimum program here. John Brim's vocals add in spots. Listen on.

"Madison Blues" Lyrics

Ahh, you babes talk about your Madison shoes

We got a thing we call the Madison blues

We do the Madison blues

We do the Madison blues

We do the Madison blues baby

Rock away your blues



I know a gal her name is Lindsey Lou

She told me she loved me but I know it ain't true

Put on your Madison shoes

Put on your Madison blue shoes

I got the Madison blues

Now put on your Madison blue shoes



Ahh, you cats talking about your Madison shoes

We do the thing we call the Madison blues

We do the Madison blues

We do the Madison blues

We do the Madison blues baby

Rock away your blues



Ah you babes talk about your Madison shoes

We got a thing we call the Madison blues

We do the Madison blues

We do the Madison blues

We do the Madison blues baby

Rock away your blues

*The King Of The Slide Guitar, One More Time - Elmore James

Click on the title to link to a "YouTube" film clip of Elmore James performing his (and Robert Johnson's) classic, "Dust My Broom".

The Very Best Of Elmore James, Elmore James with the Broomdusters, Virgin Records, 1986

Well, what did you NEED to listen to here? Obviously,”Dust My Broom”. On this CD
though you MUST listen to Elmore on “Standing At The Crossroads”. Wow, it jumps right out at you. “Sure Enough I Do”, “Wild About You Baby" and “Mean and Evil” round out the minimum program here. Listen on.

Dust My Broom
Robert Johnson, Elmore James

I'm gonna get up in the mornin',
I believe I'll dust my broom (2x)
Girlfriend, the black man you been lovin',
girlfriend, can get my room

I'm gon' write a letter,
Telephone every town I know (2x)
If I can't find her in West Helena,
She must be in East Monroe, I know

I don't want no woman,
Wants every downtown man she meet (2x)
She's a no good doney,
They shouldn't 'low her on the street

I believe, I believe I'll go back home (2x)
You can mistreat me here, babe,
But you can't when I go home

And I'm gettin' up in the morning,
I believe I'll dust my broom (2x)
Girlfriend, the black man that you been lovin',
Girlfriend, can get my room

I'm gon' call up Chiney,
She is my good girl over there (2x)
If I can't find her on Philippine's Island,
She must be in Ethiopia somewhere

Robert Johnson