''The Biggest Thing Since Colossus'' is an album by American blues musician Otis Spann, released in 1969. The album is also notable for the fact that Spann's backing band on this occasion were members of Fleetwood Mac, who were touring in America at the time. Spann had been involved in the recording of the '' Blues Jam at Chess'' album, and a rapport had been struck between Spann and the British band, which led to their participation on Spann's new album. It was agreed beforehand that Spann's friend and longtime associate S.P. Leary would play drums on the album, and Fleetwood Mac drummer

Mick Fleetwood Michael John Kells Fleetwood (born 24 June 1947) is a British musician, songwriter and occasional actor. He is best known as the drummer, co-founder, and leader of the rock band Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood, whose surname was merged with that of t ...

did not take part in the recording. Guitarists Peter Green and

Danny Kirwan Daniel David Kirwan (13 May 1950 – 8 June 2018) was a British musician whose greatest success came with his role as guitarist, singer and songwriter with the blues rock band Fleetwood Mac between 1968 and 1972. He released three albums as a s ...

, and bassist

John McVie John Graham McVie (born 26 November 1945) is a British bass guitarist. He is best known as a member of the rock bands John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers from 1964 to 1967 and Fleetwood Mac since 1967. His surname, combined with that of Mick Fle ...

all contributed to the sessions. "Walkin was released as a single in some countries, with "Temperature Is Rising (98.8°F)" (a different version to that found on the album) on the B-side. Another track was recorded at the sessions, "Blues for Hippies", which was not included on the album. An expanded version was released in 2006 on a double CD (''Otis Spann, The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions'') with all tracks from the sessions plus the single "Bloody Murder" and both single and album versions of "Temperature is Rising".

Track listing

All tracks written by Otis Spann except where indicated. #"My Love Depends on You" – 5:22 #"Walkin' – 2:54 #"It Was a Big Thing" – 3:26 #"Temperature Is Rising (100.2°F)" – 6:13 #"Dig You" – 3:04 #"No More Doggin'" (

Rosco Gordon Rosco N. Gordon III (April 10, 1928 – July 11, 2002), sometimes billed as Roscoe Gordon, was an American blues singer, pianist, and songwriter. He is best known for his hit songs "Booted," (1952), "No More Doggin'" (1952), and " Just a Littl ...

) – 3:00 #"Ain't Nobody's Business" (

Jimmy Witherspoon James Witherspoon (August 8, 1920 – September 18, 1997) was an American jump blues singer. Early life, family and education Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas. His father was a railroad worker who sang in local choirs, and his mot ...

) – 5:15 #"She Needs Some Loving" – 3:08 #"I Need Some Air" – 4:40 #"Someday Baby" – 3:02

Personnel

*Otis Spann –

piano The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keybo ...

vocals Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or withou ...

* Peter Green –

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strin ...

– guitar *

–

bass guitar The bass guitar, electric bass or simply bass (), is the lowest-pitched member of the string family. It is a plucked string instrument similar in appearance and construction to an electric or an acoustic guitar, but with a longer neck and ...

*S.P. Leary – drums

Production

* Mike Vernon – producer *Warren Slaten – engineer *Richard Vernon – coordination *Sleeve Design / Photography – Terence Ibbott

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Biggest Thing Since Colossus Fleetwood Mac Otis Spann albums 1969 albums Albums produced by Mike Vernon (record producer) Blue Horizon Records albums