Album Review: Dave Specter – Live at Space
SPACE is a popular club in the Chicago area; its calendar includes top local, regional and national acts. Being a hotbed of electric blues, the venue has its share of blues and blues-adjacent bills. This concert document of a March 2024 show captures guitarist Dave Specter onstage with Marty Binder (drums), Brother John Kattke (keys) and bassist Rodrigo Mantovani.
The set is evenly mixed between Specter originals and covers. The former cover the musical landscape from blues to rock and back again; the latter category features tunes by Don Nix, Sonny Boy Williamson and more. Specter’s “Rumba & Tonic” mixes rumba rhythms with strong flavors of New Orleans jazz. And of course specter’s strong and clean lead guitar leads the way. The simmering “Alley Walk” chugs along in a mostly one-chord fashion, allowing plenty of space for some slow-burn axework.
“Homework” is standard blues with vocal, but it’s nicely done with some fiery lead work. The loping “Blues from the Inside Out” is in a classic mold as well. “On Your Way Down” is a smoky number with Specter’s vocal out front; it has a vaguely Steely Dan vibe. “March Through the Darkness” moves in a mainstream melodic rock direction.
“Chicago Style” is just what it says on the tin. Not so for a tasty reading of Don Nix’s “Same Old Blues,” which would have fit nicely on the Layla album. “The Stinger” serves up some lively and kinetic fretwork. “Deep Elem Blues” is nicely arranged, extremely well-played standard blues. “Bluebird Blues” has a welcome retro feel with a late-night vibe. “Ponchatoula Way” weds a familiar melody to a fun and irresistible tune, with one of the album’s best vocal turns. Live at SPACE closes with a shuffling, high-energy “Ridin’ High, filled with fireworks for all four players. Bravo!
Personal addendum: I had been looking forward to seeing Specter play live last autumn when he had a date in my neck o’ the woods. But Tropical Storm Helene intervened with her flooding and destruction, and the opportunity was lost. This live album is the next best thing to being there (or to him being near here) so I’m grateful for its timely appearance.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.