New album! Live at SPACE on Delmark Records CD and LP

 

Live at SPACE album reviews:

Historia del Blues: “When the Guitar Speaks: The Elegance of Dave Specter Live…For over thirty years, Dave Specter has been much more than a guitarist: he's been a guide, alchemist, and storyteller of Chicago blues. His playing conveys more than just technique; it speaks of history, character, and an encyclopedic devotion to a genre that exudes freedom and soul. In "Live at Space," released in 2025 by Delmark Records, Specter gives us a work that feels like a homecoming, with the intensity of a rainy night and the warmth of a conversation between friends.”

Chicago Blues Guide: “On his most recent Delmark release, his 13th for the label, Specter and his crack band (Brother John Kattke, Marty Binder and Rodrigo Mantovani)  offer a set of tunes recorded at SPACE in Evanston IL which demonstrate why Dave Specter is among the pantheon of  great modern blues musicians. Live At SPACE is a recording which captures Chicago’s finest blues musicians at one of Chicago’s best sounding venues”

Americana Highways: “There are 13 generous portions to this blue plate special Live At Space…it’s a showcase of sophisticated blues…The sound of the band & its live audience is pristine. “Alley Walk” smokes from the opening notes with its heavy, noirish style. Wet midnight sidewalks & low lamps, couples embracing in brick-walled alleys… Henry Mancini would’ve liked Dave Specter’s direction.”

 
 
 
 
 



Check out Dave’s latest video recorded at Chicago’s Thalia Hall for Fret 12’s “In The Dark” guitar series

 
 
 

Nominated for Living Blues Album of the Year.

Editor’s Pick and 4 Star Review - Downbeat Magazine.

#1 in November, #2 in December - Living Blues Radio Charts.

#1 on NACC Radio Charts for college and community radio nationwide.

‘BLUES FROM THE INSIDE OUT’

“Blues From The Inside Out” is the most expressive project of Dave Specter’s 35-year career. Featuring his debut as a vocalist, the album is an exciting and timely celebration of blues, soul, jazz, funk and gospel.

Imagine the blues as a color diamond you hold up to the sun. A dynamic light draws out brilliant hues at every turn of the rock. That’s the inherent beauty of this project.

These are fine times to hear Specter, an evolving artist who embraces growth and discovery.

“Blues From The Inside Out” includes a guest appearance on guitar by Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna fame, who also co-wrote one of the album’s 12 original tunes. Specter wrote the uplifting soul anthem for change “March Through the Darkness,” he takes a deep dive into Meters-Neville Brothers inspired rhythms with the instrumental “Sanctifunkious” and sings on the blues shuffle title track. Besides Kaukonen, Specter recruited his long time collaborator/keyboardist Brother John Kattke who sings 4 tracks, the Chicago-based Liquid Soul horns and Latin-percussion ace Ruben Alvarez, each playing on three tracks.

Drummer Marty Binder and bass player Harlan Terson lay the foundation for the recording as a rock solid rhythm section.

“I was always content focusing on guitar as my instrument and voice as a musician,” Specter explained. “I’ve worked my entire career on the art of backing up singers and writing/playing instrumentals and never felt a desire to sing until fairly recently. I’m getting inspired to write more songs that I sing, as I’m honestly more comfortable singing my own words than somebody else’s. I’m looking forward to seeing where this road takes me.”

Watch out.

- From the album’s liner notes by Chicago author and radio host, Dave Hoekstra