Dave Specter – Live At Space
The uniqueness of this showcase is how Dave Specter starts the set off firmly planted in the blues, but as the instrumental percolates along, the pianist injects a jazzier solo into the proceedings. It works quite well. Excitingly well. “Rumba & Tonic” is a wonderful introduction to a blues guitarist who isn’t Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Winter, or Robert Cray. He has his distinctive approach to the blues notes.
The sound of the band & its live audience is pristine. “Alley Walk” smokes from the opening notes with its heavy, noirish style. Wet midnight sidewalks & low lamps, couples embracing in brick-walled alleys. “Got a light, mister?” — from a skinny hustler in loose pants seated on brownstone steps. Yeah, this music sets the mood for a walk down a deviant street. Henry Mancini would’ve liked Dave Specter’s direction.
There are 13 generous portions to this blue plate special Live At Space (Drops June 6/Delmark/76:38) produced by Dave (vocals/guitar) & recorded March 2024 at the Space venue in Evanston, IL. It’s a showcase of sophisticated blues that doesn’t lose any of its cred by being played with skill. The “feel” is still firmly in their grasp as they just let each musical stick spark along the fuse.
The first vocal appears with the more traditional “Homework” that stands out much the same as the class of 1966’s Paul Butterfield Blues Band with (Paul Butterfield & Elvin Bishop vocals). There’s a tinge of Mike Bloomfield guitar finesse that follows a nice Billy Davenport-type drum touch by Marty Binder. The band employs a heavy-duty Hammond-type organ sound (Brother John Kattke/vocals) that provides a good bottom. Rodrigo Mantovani has the most classically appropriate name for a blues bass guitarist.
Delmark Records is an independent label started in 1953 in Chicago, IL. Its musical specialty was jazz & blues. The label won 2 Grand Prix du Disque Hot Club France awards, a Jay Award, numerous W.C. Handy awards, several Grammy nominations & a Library of Congress inclusion. In 2025, they’re still cooking with fire with alumni artists like Dave Specter.
“Blues From the Inside Out” is a 7-minute-plus workout with some incendiary piano playing by Brother John. Specter’s voice continues to sing with a seasoned Butterfield Band style that is refreshing. Relaxed, authentic & unlike so many raspier singers, he sings with an authoritative tint. Punctuated by Dave’s sensibility & musicality, he applies his slicing leads with enough torque to draw a bead of sweat from an arm wrestler.
Nice old-fashioned 4-panel CD package – looks like something issued in the late ‘50s.
Highlights – “Rumba & Tonic,” “Alley Walk,” “Homework,” “Blues From the Inside Out,” “On Your Way Down,” the wild “Chicago Style,” “Bluebird Blues” & “Ponchatoula Way.”
Color image courtesy of Jennifer Noble. CD @ Apple + Amazon + https://www.davespecter.com/new-music
