One respected, veteran voice of the blues is Chicago’s Dave Specter. With a nearly-40 year career to his credit, this Delmark Records recording artist is still as active as ever. Live at Teatro Auditorio de Villajoyosa, Alicante on March 9th, 2024, Specter opened with the lively “New West Side Stroll” from his 2014 Message in Blue release. Then into the tasty, slow-groove 12 bar blues “I Wonder Why” – Specter paying homage to Otis Rush, his hero.
A fulfilling night of electric blues, this was one of Specter’s three dates in Spain. “Nice to see you again.“ In a warm welcome, Specter commented that he first played Alicante thirty years ago. He added a special thanks to Testi Tajada, his long-time Spanish promoter, friend and impresario of all things blues in this region. “We are representing Chicago tonight!”
The performing arts center provided quality sound and lighting that elevated the night to a fine arts event. Despite the distance from yesteryear’s old smoke-filled Chicago clubs, the working man’s spirit continued with the best of eclectic blues. They let their music do the talking.
The early-set song “Sanctifunkious,” a cut on his most recent studio release (Blues From The Inside Out), offers a New Orleans-style second line groove. Described on his website as a “deep dive into The Meters/Neville Brothers.” With some echo effect and wah-wah, Specter plays with a hint of a psychedelia. In his guitar solo, he weaves in Traffic’s “Pearly Queen” riff. Enter Brother John’s hammond B3 organ solo. A full out jam.
The quartet’s interplay is grounded in nuances though subtle passing notes and dynamic attacks making great texture. Specter’s band are superior musical veterans with a long history together. Each member has deep, rich blues roots. Featured: Brother John Kattke keyboards (Buddy Guy, Otis Rush), bassists Rodrigo Mantovani (Nick Moss Band) and Marty (Boom-Boom) Binder drums (Albert Collins, B.B. King, Coco Montoya).
No stagecraft-flash or cheeky antics. Just straight up musical acumen. These guys are cool, stylish, confident, and soft-spoken. A cut above the rest, collectively they bring an outstanding caliber of musicianship.
With a nod to one of our past greats, they played the classic Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland hit “Farther Up of the Road.” And the first vocal song of the night.
Next, a seductive version of Otis Rush 1962 shuffle, “Homework. Then on to the title track from his 2019 release, The Blues From the Inside Out. An upbeat, snappy groove, Specter offers some hard-boiled lyrical advice. Brother John’s featured solo drew instant applause.
“Well if you don’t have to take it, or drink moonshine until you pass out, you just pay your dues. And play these blues. From the inside out.”
In “Jefferson Stomp,” Specter offered up dirty slide guitar playing to 2/4 romp beat. An infectious toe-tapping instrumental jam. Minus Bob Corritore harmonica work on the studio version, Brother John’s piano was center.
“March Through The Darkness” is determined and hopeful lyrically. Timely to its 2019 release, it’s a Memphis soul vibe needed in these uncertain times. In this civil rights anthem, Specter is channeling Steve Cropper with all the aspiration of the ‘65 march to Selma. A musical hug for our collective humanity. Again, Brother John’s Hammond B3/Leslie speaker combo shines through.
“March through the darkness, don’t ever slow down, march through the darkness, from every town to town. If these times of trouble, don’t stop the fight, march through the darkness, until we see the light.”
“This Time I’m Gone for Good” is gritty. A heartbreaking slow number that struggles over regret and resolve for that final break up. Blues at its core. Sharing vocals with Specter through the concert, again Brother John took lead vocals on “Ponchatoula Way.” A great road trip song depicting an imagined road trip back to Louisiana. A song to play loud in the car at 70mph.
“Bluebird Blues” was a fun throwback to his ‘91 debut. Into “Chicago Style.” Both great examples of classic Chicago blues at its best. Followed by a rousing version of Louis Jordan’s Early In The Morning I Have The Blues.
The encore drew the most emotion from Specter. This haymaker punched at the former president with “How Low Can One Man Go?” Nothing lost in translation for this Spanish audience. A roaring crowd-pleaser. “The song is delivered as a pent-up sentiment that Specter felt obligated to express.”
Images: © Phil Solomonson / Philamonjaro Studio (for American Blues Scene):
After catching up with him briefly during his quick tour of Spain this March, ABS wanted to follow up upon his Alicante concert with a few questions.
What are your current plans?
We just recorded a live set last week at SPACE in Evanston (outside of Chicago) and it might be released as a live album. I am doing some writing including new instrumentals and a couple vocal tunes. After the Spain tour we just finished, I’m staying close to home through the summer and mostly playing here in Chicago.
At this point in your career, what has most significantly evolved in your playing?
I’d rather let others say how my music has evolved over time. Music and all art is a lifetime pursuit.
You have outside interests other than playing music. Can you speak to that?
I helped open the venue SPACE in Evanston back in 2008. Really proud to be part of a really eclectic club/listening room that musicians and audiences really love. It’s been a nice complement to my music career.
Your band – Brother John Kattke (keyboards), Rodrigo Mantovani (bass) on electric bass and Marty Binder (drums) – have great chemistry on stage. Is there anything that you can share about the dynamics of playing together?
Thanks for the compliment on my band’s chemistry. Between playing with certain band members for almost 20 years and having great, veteran players onstage who listen to and compliment each other, I think that results in a pretty tight sound.
What else would you like to share with ABS readers?
I’m soon approaching 40 years of playing on the Chicago blues/music scene. Hard to believe. I’ve seen a pretty dramatic change in the blues scene here. I was really fortunate to be here at a time when you could see world class blues artists almost every night of the week.
