Search - Otis Rush :: Tops

Chicago Blues Great Captured Live

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 09/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Otis Rush is captured live on this 1988 release to marvelous effect. Recorded at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1985, this album presents virtually his entire set. [Note: The album is a bit short at 39:16.] Rush's soulful vocals and stinging guitar leads are featured throughout, especially on the instrumental "Tops," one of three originals ("Right Place, Wrong Time" and "Keep On Lovin' Me Baby" are the other two). Rush also does some extended soloing on the nearly 9-minute cover of B.B. King's "Gambler's Blues." The nearly 8-minute instrumental "I Wonder Why" is a highlight. Rush is ably backed by a six-piece band, including a horn section. RECOMMENDED"

Mediocre

William Jones | Rockville, MD USA | 10/08/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Not a bad record-just not particularly inspired or inspiring. If you don't already have it, get "Right Place, Wrong Time", Otis Rush's undisputed masterpiece."

Gamblers Blues.

P.J. Le Faucheur | Canada (ex- U.K. resident) | 05/31/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Otis Rush shines whenever he digs into a slow, gritty 12 bar blues more so than on faster tempo songs. The slow tempo enables him to put his wonderful finger vibrato and four fret bending techniques to work.

No more so than here on BB Kings song "Gamblers Blues". It's a killer version and worth getting inspite of the slightly mediocre other tracks. I'm glad to say his solo is long on this song as well."