Search - Dave Specter :: Speculatin'

Blues at their baddest.

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 08/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Despite the album's title, there's nothing tentative about the music on "Speculatin'," the recent, all-instrumental release by Chicago blues guitarist, Dave Specter, and his working band. The program is one that will delight the listener who prefers his blues straight and probably put to the test more casual followers of the blues scene. Specter originals, which comprise 8 of the tunes on the album, favor minor keys (which is the exception, at least in the blues repertories of most jazz musicians), and despite the undeniable influence of certain jazz guitarists, the leader's sound and style--raw, slightly distorted, uncompromisingly direct--remains firmly rooted in the language of the blues.Yet, the program is also a testimony to the blues "spectrum"--ranging from jazz funk to 8th-note-feel rock to 4/4 shuffle to R&B swing to boogaloos, cha-chas, and various latin-tinged blues beats. In fact, the sprightly "Hot Cha" is as capable of summoning up soothing South Seas breezes as the down-and-dirty slow-drag number, "Dark Hour Blues," is capable of leading the listener to the edge of the abyss--the valley of unnameable suffering--from whence the blues originally came.But there's much here to please the jazz listener as well, particularly the ensemble's working out on Dizzy Gillespie's "Birk's Works" and Charles Earland's "Mighty Burner." On the latter number, taken way up-tempo, Rob Waters lays down a pedal bass line that would be a joy to hear in itself were the organist not simultaneously constructing a gem of a solo--beginning with short, percussive riff motifs and then building to a stops-out, block-chorded chorus. Here, as well as during his accompanying, his use of different registrations, tight control of the volume pedal and judicious deployment of Leslie effects, provide enough variety to counteract some of the repetitious elements of the all-blues program.While there's something here for everyone, this is an album guaranteed to appeal to blues fans and, most certainly, devotees of blues guitar. The mix, in fact, favors the sound of the leader's instrument from beginning to end."

Better all the time...

Peter A. Alinovich | Chicago, Ill. | 05/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a Chicago resident and a former student of Dave Specter. When I first saw Dave in town he was playing real straight ahead Chicago blues. Over time he branched out into various styles, and amazingly, injected his own thing into all of them. This disc is a perfect synthesis of the things he's absorbed over time. When you hear the first cut, "At Whit's End", you think it's going to be similar to his last few albums: Blue Notish, but still blue. After that, it gets more diverse but never strays from the badass feel of his earlier efforts. Dave has a real knack for coming up with cool phrases that he uses for "themes" in his songs. Although the basis for his style was formed long ago, he seems to add things to his playing that just enhance the terrific foundation he's already standing on. "The Texas Top" threw me for a loop. It's something I probably would have expected to hear from him years ago, yet he makes it swing in a way that sounds totally fresh. I was surprised to see him tackle "Look-Ka Py Py", a Meters tune, because funkier stuff was not really a part of his live repertoire. But he nails it. And then the next tune "The Haleiwa Shuffle" is as about as greasy as it gets. I guess I'm biased in this review, having been a student and acquaintance of Dave's, but this disc makes for a really satisfying listen. I've heard efforts by other artists in which they try to do too many styles on one record and it just comes out an ill-defined hodge podge. It takes a strong vision to pull it off and Dave has done it ever so convincingly here. It probably helps that Dave has assembled what I believe is his best band to date. These guys play with the self assuredness that only comes from the fact that they are all aware of each other's capabilities. Sorry if this comes off as a "rah rah!" for Dave but I think you'll be hard pressed to disagree with me if you buy this disc."

ALL TIME FAVORITE!

AJ | Atlanta, GA USA | 05/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After almost 2 years, this is still my #1 blues/jazz album. I've turned on many pro players to Dave and own all his albums. My current guitar teacher was just blown away with this album. If you enjoy Ronnie Earl, Then you'll love Speculatin. Its a perfect blend of a B3 with a beautiful clean hot tube amp tone. Can't wait (and it should be time) for his next album, hope Dave keeps the same formula cause it sure working here!"