2025 – Vizztone Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb. 8, 2025
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
When I see the iconic artwork
of Vince Ray gracing the cover of a new album, I get excited because
there’s a great chance it means brand-new material from Bob Corritore. Ray’s
stunning covers construct a visual connection to a time period in which the
greatest blues music was being recorded. Bob Corritore and Friends then masterfully
transport the listener back in time to that classic era of blues. Doin’ the
Shout commemorates Corritore’s thirtieth album release and features
a dozen timeless songs with the harmonica legend along with a downright amazing
guestlist which includes Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, Bob Stroger,
Nora Jean, John Primer, Francine Reed, Oscar Wilson, Tia Carroll, Jimi
Primetime Smith, Carla Denise, Bob Margolin, Duke Robillard, Kid Ramos, Johnny
Burgin, Johnny Rapp, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin, Dave Keyes, and Mark
Earley.
Energy abundantly flows on title-track “Doin’ the Shout”. With Corritore ripping it up on harp and the fabulous Nora Jean giving a fearless performance on vocals, this one really gets me moving. The way Oscar Wilson lends his smooth-as-silk voice to B.B. King’s “Just a Dream” is exquisite. With Bob Margolin on guitar and Anthony Geraci on piano, this song is a blues-lover’s treat. I love the soul-drenched Bobby Rush track “I’ve Got Three Problems”. Dexter Allen keeps it fun and funky on guitar. It’s great to hear Thornetta Davis belt out her song “That Don’t Appease Me”. Corritore heats this one up on harp with guitarist Johnny Burgin and pianist Dave Keyes on board. This one is definitely a cookin’ track. “Same Old Thing” brings Jimi ‘Primetime’ Smith and Carla Denise together for a gem of a duet made to be heard from the dancefloor. It’s a dazzling performance through and through. The record comes to a close with Bob Stroger singing “My First Love”. The smoldering sounds of slow-cooked blues from Corritore (harp), Smith (guitar), Margolin (bass), Geraci (piano) and Wes Starr (drums) are served with perfection.
Bob Corritore and Friends deliver nothing but one-hundred percent authentic blues with Doin’ the Shout! It doesn’t get much better than this.
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For other PhillyCheeze reviews featuring Bob Corritore, follow this link: https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Bob+Corritore
For more information about Bob Corritore, visit his website https://bobcorritore.com/
For more information about Vince Ray, visit his website https://vinceray.com/
