• NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

Tommy Castro and the Painkillers Live at 16 TONELADAS Rock Club in Valencia, Spain

June 30, 2022

The King and I: A Review of the Elvis Film

June 30, 2022

Liz Jones: New Song & Video Premiere Prior To Edinburgh Fringe Festival Gig

June 30, 2022

The Legendary Ingramettes Receive NEA National Heritage Fellowship

June 29, 2022
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
  • NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
Home»Reviews»Rob Blaine Flexes His Blues Muscles in Big Otis Blues
Reviews

Rob Blaine Flexes His Blues Muscles in Big Otis Blues

Matt MarshallBy Matt MarshallFebruary 5, 2011Updated:April 9, 2020No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte WhatsApp
Rob Blaine - Big Otis Blues
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Rob Blaine - Big Otis BluesChicago simply can’t stop pumping out great blues! Of course, that’s hardly surprising considering the sheer volume of traditional and contemporary blues talent that has and continues to call Chicago home for over half a century. Rob Blaine is among that talent, and his latest album, Big Otis Blues, is a statement that his diverse brand of the blues is a force to be reckoned with.

Rob flawlessly transitions from hard-hitting deep blues straight out of the hill country to gospel-infused blues that drips soul like molasses. Add in a little funk and some creative guitar work and you’ll find out where Blaine’s groove lies.  The album begins with “Not The Forgiving Kind”, a highly dance-able track, spiced up with a funky groove. “Only Mine” is a cool transition into a wonderful soul vibe with skillfully placed, creative guitar licks and an excellent piano backing; a standout track on an excellent album. “Same Old Blues” is reminiscent of old southern blues staples gone by, as Rob sings out about the sun shining on his back door while the piano provides an old school gospel-style accompaniment. This beautiful track may quickly become a favorite for listeners. In the middle of the album is “Gone, Not Forgot”, a well placed dual-guitar finger-picking style slide instrumental that mellows the album.  “Trouble” and “Must Be Nice” have the benchmarks of a more bluesy “rock influenced” style that’s reminiscent of some interesting things we’ve heard lately from Nick Moss, who is also an extremely strong contemporary Chicago bluesman.

This isn’t the first CD we’ve enjoyed out of the relatively new Chicago record label Swississippi Records and we’re positive it won’t be the last! All in all, Rob Blaine and company display a refined diversity of influences and talent on Big Otis Blues, while remaining firmly rooted in blues. He’s recently been receiving a lot of accolades for his work, and with an album like this, it’s far from surprising. Blaine’s clear and endearing vocals and guitar work make him someone to watch out for.

TRACK LISTING

 

1.   Not the Forgiving Kind
2.   Only Mine
3.   Affection and Pain
4.   Same Old Blues
5.   Hour Glass Baby
6.   Gone, not Forgot
7.   Trouble
8.   Can’t Help But Wonder
9.   Must be Nice
10. Find aWay
11. Don’t Bum Down the Bridges
12. Must be Nice (Acoustic)
Big Otis Blues CD Review Chicago Blues Rob Blaine Swississippi Records
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Previous ArticleMyron Walden's "Countryfied"; Smooth Southern Soul
Next Article Blues-Rock guitarist Gary Moore Passes away at 58
Matt Marshall
  • Website

Matt Marshall is the publisher of American Blues Scene Magazine and owns Bluescentric.com the shop for Blues, Soul, and Rock n Roll -- authentic music t-shirts where every sale pays artist's estates directly.

Related Posts

The King and I: A Review of the Elvis Film

June 30, 2022

Liz Jones: New Song & Video Premiere Prior To Edinburgh Fringe Festival Gig

June 30, 2022

Wilco ‘Cruel Country’ Tour: Live At Casa De Cultura De Burjassot, Valencia June 24th

June 27, 2022

Gov’t Mule is Back and Better Than Ever

June 15, 2022

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Videos
  • About

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.