W.C. Spencer

Scientists have been complaining forever it seems about how little of the human brain actually gets used. W.C. Spencer will change a few minds about that. Using his feet as the rhythm section, guitarist and musician Spencer has created a unique vehicle for the delivery of blues music. Inventor and executer of an eight-piece drum kit played with one foot, he also plays organist's bass pedals with the other foot while playing guitar and tops off the act with a blazing harmonica and great vocals - physically doing all of the above simultaneously!

Spencer started playing when he was 10 years old and in 1974, invented the first parts of what was to become the Alectroset™ drum kit. Spencer has played all over since then with some wonderfully good players like Roy Buchanan, Sonny Terry, Sam Lay, Nils Lofgren, Leon Redbone, Merle Haggard, Robert Palmer, Danny Gatton and many others.

In 1994, Spencer resumed his music career after 10 years off the road.The result was the first album, 'Bluescat', where seven of the thirteen selections were recorded live to 2 track master by the artist in real-time, displaying the artist's credentials as performer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist. The remaining five tracks, including the lead album track Crosscut Saw, consisted of the base stereo master where Spencer played his usual setup in "ensemble" with a lead guitar overdub and, on three songs, additions of keyboards by Tommy Lepson and Marty Canelli. Most other groups by comparison use up to 24 tracks on each song!

Spencer's second album from 1998 on Catscan Records, 'Over Time', featured a blues song from each of the ten decades of the 20th century and adds some of his own original blues as well, covering both acoustic and electric styles. Songs by Muddy Waters, Albert King, Tampa Red and W.C. Handy are included on this disc. Extensive radio play for 'Over Time' has made W.C. a lot more well known in the blues community and he has toured extensively over the last nine years playing blues festivals and a circuit East of the Mississippi river.

Now releasing the third album for Catscan Records, Blues Explorer, Spencer continues to play but has new responsibilities, a daughter born March 15th, 2001. Ten years after starting back in the music business, Catscan Records is currently releasing the new CD, Blues Explorer for release in national and international blues markets. The twelve titles on the new CD, Blues Explorer complement his first two with a diverse mix of styles contained within the blues idiom, including five originals and others from the very best authors and players. From the 1930's right through 2004, Spencer incorporates a variety of blues themes and syncopated rhythms into these works, all highlighted by guitar and harmonica work.

If you get to see him play, you'll see one of the hardest workers around. He plays a little harp when he's on the road with his 4x8 trailer and the road time gives Spencer a chance to work out arrangements and listen to his favorite blues players as he drives.

So if you're on the road and see some fellow playing the harp on a rack while he drives then smile and wave. You just might have found W.C. Spencer - The Bluescat. JWL