Ottomatic Slim
Northampton, Massachusetts, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2004 | INDIE
Music
Press
"Otto Lenz's OTTOMATIC SLIM persona is straightforward: Play real blues and blow serious harp. . . Slim's vocal performances are above average, his harp tone is good and greasy, and his playing is top-notch."
BLUES REVUE
The playing of front man and harmonica ace Otto Lenz has been described as "tongue twisting" by DIRTY LINEN.
Otto's wild dance floor antics have been described as "masterful" by BLUES AUDIENCE.
About the album titled "Ottomatic Slim" - "This is a noteworthy effort that illustrates Ottomatic's ability to combine blues, rock, soul and funk. . . "
Alex Henderson
AMG
"Fluid runs of sweet harmonica syrup!"
Katie Wright
Katie's Rhythym & Blues Revue
WMUA FM
"Solid, perceptive work on the harp."
Lisa Danforth
LUCILLE'S BLUESLETTER
"Otto could get the wooden Indian at the cigar store to tap his toes."
Brad Diller
CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
"Elegant harp playing."
WUMB FM
"Fast becoming a force to be reckoned with."
ANCHORAGE WEEKLY PRESS
"Harp players should buy this record just for Otto Lenz’s harmonica clinic" -- from Eric Scott's 5 star review of Son Henry's 2006 release, "Heartache and Trouble"
BLUES MATTERS
". . . fantastic harmonica laiden blues. . . "
WWW.FUNKYJUDGE.NET - Various Sources
"Otto Lenz's OTTOMATIC SLIM persona is straightforward: Play real blues and blow serious harp. . . Slim's vocal performances are above average, his harp tone is good and greasy, and his playing is top-notch."
BLUES REVUE
The playing of front man and harmonica ace Otto Lenz has been described as "tongue twisting" by DIRTY LINEN.
Otto's wild dance floor antics have been described as "masterful" by BLUES AUDIENCE.
About the album titled "Ottomatic Slim" - "This is a noteworthy effort that illustrates Ottomatic's ability to combine blues, rock, soul and funk. . . "
Alex Henderson
AMG
"Fluid runs of sweet harmonica syrup!"
Katie Wright
Katie's Rhythym & Blues Revue
WMUA FM
"Solid, perceptive work on the harp."
Lisa Danforth
LUCILLE'S BLUESLETTER
"Otto could get the wooden Indian at the cigar store to tap his toes."
Brad Diller
CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
"Elegant harp playing."
WUMB FM
"Fast becoming a force to be reckoned with."
ANCHORAGE WEEKLY PRESS
"Harp players should buy this record just for Otto Lenz’s harmonica clinic" -- from Eric Scott's 5 star review of Son Henry's 2006 release, "Heartache and Trouble"
BLUES MATTERS
". . . fantastic harmonica laiden blues. . . "
WWW.FUNKYJUDGE.NET - Various Sources
Band: Son Henry
Album: "Heartache & Trouble" (Otto's guest appearances on this release won a RAVE Review from the U.K.'s biggest Blues publication, "Blues Matters" (the album was awarded the top 5 star category!))
(Front Porch Records, 2006)
- Blues Matters
Band: Son Henry
Album: "Heartache & Trouble" (Otto's guest appearances on this release won a RAVE Review from the U.K.'s biggest Blues publication, "Blues Matters" (the album was awarded the top 5 star category!))
(Front Porch Records, 2006)
- Blues Matters
The New Englander brings a strong Chess/electric Chicago blues influence to the table. And this self-titled album does, in fact, contain some Chess Records influence. But Ottomatic's work is far from a carbon copy of the amplified Chicago blues that Little Walter, Muddy Waters and others provided during Chess' glory years -- Chess Records is an influence, but Ottomatic also gets a lot of inspiration from blues-rock, '70s funk and blue-eyed soul. What transpires on this 2005 release could be described as Chess and Chicago blues by way of Rare Earth by way of Robben Ford (minus Ford's jazz explorations and his ultra-eclectic outlook). It's an appealing combination of influences, and one that serves Ottomatic reasonably well on original material as well as on Dixon's "I Want to Be Loved." This illustrates Ottomatic's ability to combine blues, rock, soul and funk with decent and satisfying, if derivative, results. - All Music Review
The New Englander brings a strong Chess/electric Chicago blues influence to the table. And this self-titled album does, in fact, contain some Chess Records influence. But Ottomatic's work is far from a carbon copy of the amplified Chicago blues that Little Walter, Muddy Waters and others provided during Chess' glory years -- Chess Records is an influence, but Ottomatic also gets a lot of inspiration from blues-rock, '70s funk and blue-eyed soul. What transpires on this 2005 release could be described as Chess and Chicago blues by way of Rare Earth by way of Robben Ford (minus Ford's jazz explorations and his ultra-eclectic outlook). It's an appealing combination of influences, and one that serves Ottomatic reasonably well on original material as well as on Dixon's "I Want to Be Loved." This illustrates Ottomatic's ability to combine blues, rock, soul and funk with decent and satisfying, if derivative, results. - All Music Review
Discography
Farren & Butcher Incorporated
Album: FBI
(F Man Music, 2012)
Otto provides harmonica tracks for Jon Butcher (of Jon Butcher Axis) and Charlie Farren (of the Joe Perry Project).
Jon and Charlie are both Grammy Nominees who have sold literally millions of recordings.
Band: Ottomatic Slim
Album: Ottomatic Slim
(95 North, 2005)
Band: Ottomatic Slim
Album: "Fins, Chrome And The Open Road-A Tribute to The Cadillac" (a licensed GM product with original material by Ottomatic Slim, as well as Maria Muldaur, Charlie Musselwhite, Little Milton, Rory Block, and many more!)
(95 North, 2005)
Band: Ottomatic Slim
EP: "Hey Swingin Santa!"
(Fry Pan, 2002)
Band: Son Henry
Album: "Heartache & Trouble" (Otto's guest appearances on this release won a RAVE Review from the U.K.'s biggest Blues publication, "Blues Matters" (the album was awarded the top 5 star category!))
(Front Porch Records, 2006)
Band: The King Bees
EP: "Five for Five"
(Fry Pan, 2001)
Band: The Wildcat OHalloran Band
Album: Slow Learner
(Dove's Nest, 1999)
Band: The Wildcat OHalloran Band
Album: Legend in My Spare Time
(Dove's Nest, 1992)
Band: Blues du Jour
EP: "Blues du Jour"
(Charleston, 1990)
Band: Sour Mash
EP: "Sour Mash"
(Loft, 1982)
Band: Bill Clark
EP: "Glamour Puss"
(Loft, 1981)
Photos
Bio
OTTOMATIC SLIM is A TRUE ELECTRIC BLUES-ROCK BAND
Front-man/Harmonica Ace Otto Lenz for years has been lighting up the North American Blues Scene with explosive performances of Original and Traditional blues! Otto is teamed up with a Rock Steady group of Seasoned Veterans combining Compelling Vocals with Smoking Hot Instrumentation and Killer Grooves!
The Maine Blues Society Newsletter summed it up pretty well writing, "Frontman Otto Lenz is a world-class harp blower."
Son Henry, awarded, Blues Instrumentalist of the Year for the United Kingdom-also puts it simply, "Otto's the best harmonica player I know, period."
Blues Matters, (the most widely distributed blues magazine in the UK) wrote: "Otto's tracks should be used as a harmonica clinic for anyone serious about the instrument."
Ottos playing has been described as: "tongue twisting" by Dirty Linen;
"Top Notch" by Blues Revue;
"His wild dance floor antics and powerful stage performances", described as "Masterful" by Blues Audience.
After putting in years studying traditional approaches to playing the blues, front-man Otto Lenz went on to train extensively with the harmonica jazz legend Howard Levy, of The Flecktones.
On any given night Otto could be spotted sitting in with blues giants such as Kenny Neal, Sherman Robertson, and Phillip Walker.
These days, you may catch Otto as a featured artist with acts like FBI (Charlie Farren & Jon Butcher, Inc) at venues like Boston House of Blues, and with Jon Butcher Axis at concert halls throughout New England.
Otto has forged his own cutting edge style with Ottomatic Slim, a band that has been met with wide critical acclaim playing festivals and night clubs throughout Northeastern U.S., Alaska, and Canada as well as Europe.
With his own unique blend of masterful harmonica and guitar slingers, Ottomatic Slim has a double barrel - one two punch - whammer jammer show that will leave you speechless!!
Ottomatic Slim has opened for numerous national shows, including:
John Lee Hooker, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Lonnie Brooks, Son Seal, and Joanna Conner.
Overseas Ottomatic Slim has played a few of the various Local venues including, the London Jazz Festival.
Ottomatic Headlined at the Carleton International Maximum Blues Festival in Quebec - sharing the stage with Eddie Shaw and The Wolfgang and other legendary acts.
Their album titled "Ottomatic Slim" has enjoyed International Airplay as well as National Commercial Radio, Internet and Satellite Radio, College and National Public Broadcasting Stations.
Alex Henderson writing for the All Music Guide: With High praise to the Ottomatic Slim album: "Ottomatic's work is far from a carbon copy of the amplified Chicago blues. . . This is a noteworthy effort that illustrates Ottomatic's ability to combine blues, rock, soul and funk..."
Band Members
Links
