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 (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 and electric blues singer and songwriter, best known for his close resemblance to the singing style of Bobby Bland and B.B. King.[1][3]

He only recorded three solo albums in his lifetime, although he performed regularly as a journeyman around Chicago and further afield, until his death in 1991.

Life and career

Odom was born in Denham Springs, Louisiana, United States, the son of Lula Odom,[2] and learned to sing at his family's local church.[4] In 1955, Odom relocated to East St. Louis, Illinois,[5] and began work with Albert King and Johnny Williams.[1][4][5] In 1960, Odom moved on again, this time to his then lifelong home in Chicago. The following year, he recorded the song "East St. Louis" with the Little Aaron Band for the small outfit, Marlo Records.[1][5] Odom later met Earl Hooker, with whom he both recorded and performed for a number of years.[1] Another single of Odom's, "Turn On Your Love Light", was released by Nation Records in 1967, where he was billed as Andre Odom.[1][6]

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

Odom's debut album, Farther on the Road (1969), included his version of "Farther Up the Road", with accompaniment throughout by Earl Hooker on guitar and Johnny "Big Moose" Walker playing keyboards.[10] However, it remained unreleased for a few years.[1]

After Hooker's death in April 1970, Odom worked for the next decade as the singer with Jimmy Dawkins. In 1971, Delmark Records released Dawkins' second album All For Business, with Odom on vocals, and Otis Rush on guitar.[4][11] In 1974, Wasp Records issued as a 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 subsequently reissued by Evidence Music in 1993.[1]

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

On December 23, 1991, Odom suffered a fatal heart attack, whilst driving from Buddy Guy's Legends to his next scheduled appearance at the Checkerboard Lounge, and was dead on arrival at Cook County Hospital, 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 the Road Bluesway Records
1982 Feel So Good Evidence Music
1991 Goin' to California Flying Fish Records

[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 Bill Dahl. "Andrew Odom | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Eagle, Bob L. (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience (1st ed.). Santa Barbara, California, United States: 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. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Andrew Odom". Allaboutbluesmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "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