Otis Rush has been acknowledged as one of the greats of Chicago Blues for so long that his reputation is almost taken for granted. This performance, and the five others from the same session, is a breathtaking demonstration of how great he truly was when he was young and in his prime. This set, recorded in West Berlin in 1966 as part of The American Folk Blues Festival tour, not only showcases Rush’s gifts as vocalist, guitarist, and composer, but is a sparkling example of ensemble work: the vastly experienced Little Brother Montgomery is at the piano, and Jack Myers on bass and Fred Below on drums form a peerless rhythm section. No histrionics, no wasted notes– just the real stuff, straight, no chaser. Some of the tunes are audio only, and “My Own Fault” is really “Sweet Little Angel” but every cut is a gem rescued from oblivion.
As for Fred Below’s beret, he was self-conscious about his baldness and wore his beret everywhere, rain or shine, indoors and out. Jack Myers is wearing a beret on the Berlin gig but maybe that was in solidarity with Below or because he thought it looked cool (he normally was bare-headed).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqIkJvExIAw
