Release Date : October 17, 2025
For Early Blues Sessions,
the latest release in Bob Corritore’s ‘From the Vaults’ series, he
reaches way back into his archives for a selection of sixteen tracks featuring remixed
and unreleased recordings made from 1984 to 2007. The lineup of legendary blues
artists whose performances are captured on this disc reads more like a Blues
Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It is quite impressive. With Corritore
on harmonica on each and every song, he is joined by his friends Little
Milton, Lowell Fulson, Robert Lockwood Jr., Jimmy Rogers,
Pinetop Perkins, Chico Chism, Sam Lay, Henry Gray, King
Earl, Lil’ Ed, Dave Riley, Bob Margolin, Tomcat
Courtney, Jimmy Dotson, and Clarence Edwards.
The album kicks off in a jukin’ style as Henry Gray fearlessly bangs the ivories alongside Little Milton belting out “I Want to Be the One”. Hearing Little Milton on guitar with Corritore accompanying on harp makes for a great opener. I love “Five Long Years” recorded with Chico Chism on vocals and Pinetop Perkins on piano. The relaxed tempo really lets the blues soak in. Li’l Ed gets things moving on “Hip Shakin’”. The harp is smokin’ and the groove is cookin’. “Showers of Rain” featuring Henry Gray on piano/vocals with Bob Margolin on guitar is a wonderful slice of Chicago Blues. I’m quickly swept up in the rhythm of Tomcat Courtney’s “I Wonder”. It definitely has a way to clawing its way into my bones. The blues drips with raw and unbridled authenticity when Clarence Edwards sings ‘I gave her three gold teeth. I put an earring in her ear’ on “Coal Black Mare”. King Karl cuts loose with the swinging title-track off his 1984 album Cool Calm Collected. It’s fun how this track walks the tightrope between blues and rockabilly. When taking in the legacy of Robert Johnson, I hang on every note of “Ramblin’ On My Mind” as it pours out the voice and guitar of Robert Lockwood Jr.. I find this one extremely fascinating. The compilation comes to a close with Lowell Fulson performing “West Texas Blues”. The song, less than two minutes in length, is beautifully played on acoustic guitar.
Early Blues Sessions carries on the tradition of Corritore’s ‘From the Vaults’ series and gives the listener a vintage blues listening experience. I recommend all of the discs in this collection. They’re fantastic!
For more info on Bob Corritore
visit the website at https://bobcorritore.com/
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