Hour Four of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise forms the centerpiece of the program’s tribute to influential blues producer Mike Vernon. Rather than simply pulling a handful of songs from a compilation, the show highlights selections from a remarkable album Vernon produced featuring the legendary Chicago blues pianist Otis Spann. The result is an hour devoted to one of the greatest blues pianists of all time, backed by a lineup of musicians deeply rooted in the Chicago blues tradition.
Otis Spann is often considered the definitive piano voice of Chicago blues. Born in Mississippi and raised in the Delta tradition, Spann moved to Chicago where he became an essential member of the band led by Muddy Waters. Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, Spann’s powerful piano playing became a defining part of Waters’ sound. His style combined rolling boogie rhythms, deep blues feeling, and a gospel-influenced intensity that made every performance feel urgent and alive.
The recordings featured in this hour come from the album Cracked Spanner Head, produced by Mike Vernon during the late 1960s. Vernon had already become known in the United Kingdom for his work promoting American blues artists through his label Blue Horizon Records. His productions often paired traditional blues musicians with modern recording techniques while preserving the authenticity of the music.
The session featured an impressive group of musicians, including Muddy Waters on guitar, bassist Ransom Knowling, and drummer Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith. The album also included overdubbed horn arrangements and even appearances by British guitarist Jimmy Page on selected tracks, creating a unique blend of Chicago blues tradition and late-1960s studio experimentation.
Throughout the hour, Spann’s piano remains the heart of the music. Tracks like “Crack Your Head” and “Iced Nehi” showcase his ability to drive a band with rolling left-hand rhythms while adding expressive melodic lines with his right hand. His voice carries the same emotional honesty found in the best Delta blues singers—direct, unpolished, and deeply human.
Songs like “Rock Me Mama,” “No Sense in Worryin’,” and “Dollar Twenty Five” highlight the storytelling side of the blues. Spann’s delivery feels conversational, as though he is speaking directly to the listener rather than performing for an audience.
The intensity continues with performances such as “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” “Lucky So & So,” and “Sometimes I Wonder,” where the interplay between piano, guitar, and rhythm section captures the essence of Chicago blues during its most creative period. By the time “Mr. Highway Man” and “What Will Become of Me” arrive, the music has built a deep, hypnotic groove that reflects the late-night spirit of the program itself.
The hour concludes with several tracks from guitarist and harmonica player Johnny Young, whose recordings were included in Mike Vernon’s Blues Masters LP series. Young was a respected figure on the Chicago blues scene, known for his work with artists like Walter Horton and Jimmy Rogers. His performances here—“Moanin’ & Groanin’,” “Trainfare Out of Town,” “Walking Slow,” “Deal the Cards,” and “Little Girl”—provide a perfect closing to the tribute.
Taken together, Hour Four not only honors the memory of Mike Vernon but also celebrates the musicians whose recordings he helped bring to a wider audience. Through producers like Vernon, the music of artists such as Otis Spann and Johnny Young reached listeners across the world, ensuring that the Chicago blues tradition would continue to inspire new generations.
Playlist – Hour Four
Crack Your Head – Otis Spann
Iced Nehi – Otis Spann
Rock Me Mama – Otis Spann
No Sense in Worryin’ – Otis Spann
Dollar Twenty Five – Otis Spann
Everything’s Gonna Be Alright – Otis Spann
Lucky So & So – Otis Spann
Sometimes I Wonder – Otis Spann
Mr Highway Man – Otis Spann
What Will Become of Me – Otis Spann
Moanin’ & Groanin’ – Johnny Young
Trainfare Out of Town – Johnny Young
Walking Slow – Johnny Young
Deal the Cards – Johnny Young
Little Girl – Johnny Young