#729 > Bob Corritore & Friends - Doin' the Shout! (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

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/

#527 : Joseph Veloz Presents - Joseph and the Velozians

 

2021 – Joseph Veloz/Big O Records 

By Phillip Smith; Nov. 6, 2021

 

Four years have passed since Veloz’s last release Offerings made it across my desk for review.   That was quite an impressive album.  His brand-new record Joseph and the Velozians again captures my full attention with his delightful originals and covers.  With Veloz laying down the funkiest of rhythms on bass and Funk-wah guitar, keyboardist Jim Alfredson and drummer/percussionist Donny Brown hold down the fort for the other thirteen musicians appearing in varied combinations. 

Slathered in a slow buttery groove, “Pretty is as Pretty Does” opens the album with guest Larry McCray behind the mic with his soulful vocals.  I love it when he rips it up on guitar during the bridge.  The party train continues to barrel down the line as Thornetta Davis sings Muddy Waters’ “I Got My Mojo Working”.  Carlton Washington is a beast on guitar as is Jim Alfredson on keys.  This is hands-down one of the best contemporary covers I have ever heard of this classic blues track.  Davis also delivers a velvety and soulful performance on the 2006 Gnarls Barkley hit song “Crazy”.  Veloz takes Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do For Love” and breathes new life into the song as a funktified instrumental with a George Clinton flair.  The laid-back groove makes for a very chill listening experience. 

Joseph and the Velozians is an incredible and inspirational release.  R&B fans and funk aficionados are going to love this record.                

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PhillyCheeze Review for Joseph Veloz – Offerings : https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/06/joseph-veloz-offerings.html

 

PhillyCheeze Review for Thornetta Davis – Honest Woman: https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2017/02/thornetta-davis-honest-woman.html

 

 

For more information about the artist, visit this website : jmveloz.com

Thornetta Davis - Honest Woman

2016 – Sweet Mama Music

By Phillip Smith; Feb 11, 2017

Honest Woman, the latest album from Detroit’s Queen of the Blues Thornetta Davis, glimmers with fiery soul.  This red-hot delight features a dozen original songs brought to glorious life under Davis’ commanding vocal presence. Davis’ backing musicians performing on the brunt of the album is guitarist Brett Lucas, drummer Todd Glass (The Muggs), Phillip J. Hale on keys, and James Simonson on bass.

Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds steps in as guest vocalist/harp player on the lively duet, “I Gotta Sang the Blues”. The contrasting voices pair together quite nicely, and Wilson’s harmonica performance is smokin’ as usual.  Davis enlists The Larry McCray Band to back her up on the groovy gospel-soaked “Set Me Free”.  This is one superb jam filled with stellar vocals and hot funky guitar licks.  It makes me want to shout, Amen!

I love how the brass mingles with the walking bassline and soulful keys on the fabulous “I’d Rather Be Alone”.  Davis sings this ode to a boomerang ex-lover, strong and proud.  Lucas delivers a searing guitar performance propelled by Glass’ driving beat on the magnificent “I Believe (Everything Gonna Be Alright)”.    

Thornetta Davis instills a fabric of enchanting soulful blues into each and every song on Honest Woman.  Reflected in her powerful vocals is heart-felt emotion, which, along with the superb musicianship she commands, is the key to an album full of outstanding performances.