After his tenure at Chess,
Otis Rush signed with Duke Records in Houston, who only released one 45 during his entire five year stay at the label. This Vanguard session from 1966 was his first in several years and finds him in exemplary form. Backed by a tough little club band,
Otis' guitar tone is crystal clear and well focused, while his singing is simply superb. With two excellent instrumentals aboard ("Rock" is
Otis' version of
Earl Hooker's "Universal Rock"), the other big ticket highlight is the version of "I Can't Quit You, Baby" that
Led Zepplin would later copy note for note on their first album. This is part of a three volume series and also features excellent tracks by
James Cotton ("Cotton Crop Blues" and a wild version of "Rocket 88") and
Homesick James. ~ Cub Koda