Andrew Odom

Andrew Odom
Also known as Voice, Andrew "Big Voice" Odom, B.B., Little B.B., B.B. Junior[1][2]
Born December 15, 1936
Denham Springs, Louisiana, United States
Died December 23, 1991(1991-12-23) (aged 55)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres Chicago blues, electric blues, soul blues[1]
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1955–1991

Andrew Odom (December 15, 1936 – December 23, 1991) was an African-American Chicago blues and electric blues singer and songwriter, best known for the close resemblance of his singing style to that of Bobby Bland and B.B. King.[1][3]

He recorded three solo albums in his lifetime and performed regularly around Chicago and further afield until his death.

Life and career

Odom was born in Denham Springs, Louisiana, the son of Lula Odom,[2] and learned to sing at his family's church.[4] In 1955, he relocated to East St. Louis, Illinois,[5] and began working with Albert King and Johnny Williams.[1][4][5] In 1960, he moved to Chicago, which was his home for the rest of his life. The following year, he recorded "East St. Louis" with the Little Aaron Band for a small label, Marlo Records.[1][5] Odom later met Earl Hooker, with whom he recorded and performed for a number of years.[1] Another single of Odom's, "Turn On Your Love Light", credited to Andre Odom, was released by Nation Records in 1967.[1][6]

Hooker, after being released from the hospital in 1968, assembled a new band and began performing in Chicago clubs and touring, against his doctor's advice. The band, with pianist Pinetop Perkins, harmonica player Carey Bell, bassist Geno Skaggs, steel guitar player Freddie Roulette, and vocalist Odom, was "widely acclaimed" and "considered one of the best Earl had ever carried with him".[7] On the recommendation of Buddy Guy, Arhoolie Records recorded Two Bugs and a Roach by Hooker and his new band.[8] Hooker's album Don't Have to Worry (1969) included instrumental selections and songs with vocals by Odom, Johnny "Big Moose" Walker, and Hooker. It has been said that the session had a "coherence and consistency" that helped make the album part of Hooker's "finest musical legacy".[9]

Odom's debut album, Farther On down the Road (recorded in 1969 and released in 1973), included his version of "Farther Up the Road", with accompaniment throughout by Hooker on guitar and Johnny "Big Moose" Walker on keyboards.[10][1]

After Hooker's death in April 1970, Odom worked for the next decade as a singer with Jimmy Dawkins. In 1971, Delmark Records released Dawkins's second album All for Business, with Odom on vocals and Otis Rush on guitar.[4][11] In 1974, Wasp Records issued the single "I Got This Bad Feeling", credited to B.B. Odom and the Earbenders.[12]

In 1982, Odom recorded his second solo album, Feel So Good, with accompaniment from Magic Slim and the Teardrops, which was originally issued by the small French record label Black & Blue Records. It was reissued by Evidence Music in 1993.[1]

Flying Fish Records released Odom's third album, Goin' to California, in 1991. The album, co-produced by Steve Freund and including guitar accompaniment by Steve Katz, has been considered Odom's best recorded work.[1][4]

On December 23, 1991, Odom suffered a fatal heart attack while driving from the blues club Buddy Guy's Legends to his next scheduled appearance at the Checkerboard Lounge, and was dead on arrival at Cook County Hospital, in Chicago.[1][2]

Some of his work appeared on the compilation album The Chicago Blues Box: The MCM Records Story.[13]

Discography

Albums

Year Title Record label
1969 Farther On down the Road Bluesway Records
1982 Feel So Good Evidence Music
1991 Goin' to California Flying Fish Records

[14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Bill Dahl. "Andrew Odom | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  2. 1 2 3 Eagle, Bob L. (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. p. 211. ISBN 978-0-313-34424-4. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
  3. ↑ "Andrew Odom – Songs & Albums". Rhapsody.com. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Andrew Odom". Allaboutbluesmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  5. 1 2 3 "St. Louis Blues and Jazz Hall of Fame". Bluesworld.com. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  6. ↑ "Andre Odom – Turn On Your Love Light (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  7. ↑ Danchin 2001, p. 251.
  8. ↑ Strachwitz 1998, p. 1.
  9. ↑ Danchin 2001, p. 281.
  10. ↑ "Farther on the Road – Andrew Odom | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  11. ↑ Bill Dahl. "Jimmy Dawkins | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
  12. ↑ "B B Odom with the Ear Benders* – I Got This Bad Feeling / Memo Blues (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  13. ↑ Steve Leggett. "The Chicago Blues Box: The MCM Records Story – Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  14. ↑ "Andrew Odom | Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-03-12.

Bibliography

External links

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