#640: Bob Margolin - Thanks (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2023 – Vizztone

By Phillip Smith; Oct. 21, 2023

Release Date : Oct. 27, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

Armed with the very same ’56 Gibson ES-150 he used while playing with Muddy Waters and with The Band in The Last Waltz concert and film, Bob Margolin commemorates fifty years since joining The Muddy Waters Band with his latest release Thanks.  This fabulous album captures the pure essence of The Blues, as Margolin creates every sound heard on all ten songs of this recording, with one very special exception.  The vocals of his very special guest and border collie Levon join along during a guitar solo on “No Consolation”.

The record begins with a smoking version of “Going Down to Main Street”..  Dedicated to Muddy Waters and Levon Helm, the song was originally released in 1952 with Muddy’s original band, and was recorded again in 1975 for Muddy Waters’ Woodstock Album featuring Margolin, Helm, and Paul Butterfield.  I love his cover of The Band’s “The Shape I’m In”.  Played as a blues shuffle, the song stands out as an absolute favorite.  As the first few notes of “Mean Old Chicago” are played, I ’m enamored to say the least.  Margolin wrote this song on a drink napkin while in flight to Chicago to pay final respects to friend and Chicago blues legend Jimmy Rogers.  Originally on Margolin’s 1993 album Down in the Alley “Baby Can’t Be Found” is an amazing song and is no wonder why it was a favorite of Johnny Winter’s.  It sounds wonderful with Margolin performing on that Gibson archtop electric guitar.  Originally recorded in 1999 for Blind Pig Records using a National Steel guitar which was a gift from Pinetop Perkins, “No Consolation” is one of my favorite Margolin-penned tracks.  It is blues to the core and its jagged edges dig deep into the soul. 

Selecting ten songs to sum up fifty years could not have been an easy task, however Margolin takes his choices very seriously.  It is refreshing to hear these songs stripped down to just a man and his guitar.  The background stories behind each of the tracks on Margolin’s website is refreshing and insightful.  They offer a glimpse inside the man who has truly lived the blues.

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For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://bobmargolin.com/

 

 

#597 : Jimi "Primetime" Smith & Bob Corritore - The World in a Jug (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2023 – Vizztone

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 18, 2023

Release Date : Feb 10, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

 

I find the Blues is still quite alive when listening to The World in a Jug, the new collaboration between Maxwell Street blues veterans Jimi “Primetime” Smith and Bob Corritore.  The two reconnected seven years ago in Arizona, and this album documents ten songs they have recorded since.  With Smith on vocals/guitar and Corritore on harmonica, the album features a cast of fifteen backing musicians and vocalists coming together in different configurations on each track.

Things get off to a foot-stomping start with title-track Jimmy Reed’s “I Got the World in a Jug”.  I dig the pounding keys of Fred Kaplan, and the fiery harp accompaniment Corritore dishes out for Primetime’s commanding vocals.  Freddy King’s “Love Her With Feeling” nicely follows up with a smokin’ hot plate of Chicago blues.  “In a Spin” is a song I keep returning to for a second listen.  Smith sings this confluence of blues and jazz with a suave finesse.  Shoutouts to a menu full of tasty down-home dishes secure Rex Garvin’s “Soul Food” as an absolute favorite.  The flawless harp performance from Corritore is delectably coupled with an incredible slide guitar on “Walkin’”.  

Smith and Corritore sound fantastic together and I’m hoping The World in a Jug leads to another collaboration between the two in Bob Corritore’s critically acclaimed ‘From the Vaults’ series. 

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For more information about Bob Corritore, visit his website at https://bobcorritore.com

 

Check out other PhillyCheeze reviews for Bob Corritore at :  https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=bob+corritore

 

 

#477 : Erin Harpe - Meet Me in the Middle

 

2020 – Vizztone Label Group

By Phillip Smith; Dec. 19, 2020

 

Versed in the Piedmont style of blues, second-generation finger picker Erin Harpe has wooed me over with her latest record Meet Me in the Middle.  This is her fourth release on the Vizztone label and sixth overall.  Recorded in their Boston-area home studio while quarantined this past June, the album features Harpe on vocals, acoustic guitar, kazoo, and foot percussion, with her husband Jim Countryman on ukulele bass and backing vocals.  The production on this is fantastic, and the result is ten tracks of pure, unadulterated blues.

I admire the sound of Harpe’s guitar playing.  The finger-picking and slide work on her original composition “All Night Long” is outstanding.  Her voice, with its slight twang, is perfectly suited for singing the blues.  Another charming original that lights me up with every listen is “Meet Me in the Middle”. 

Her recording of “Pick Poor Robin Clean” is plumb terrific.  Written and originally recorded in 1927 by Luke Jordon, the song was later popularized by Geeshie Wiley in 1931.  Performed with guitar and kazoo, Harpe breathes new life into this vintage classic.  Erin and Jim also take on the iconic “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” which I absolutely adore.  It’s such a treat to hear her take this one on.  She is such a fireball on the mic as she rips it up on guitar.

Meet Me in the Middle is a must for blues fans. 

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

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music, and if you decide to purchase it, use my special link.  This helps keep the PhillyCheeze site going.

#404 : Rick Vito - Soulshaker

2019 - Vizztone

By Phillip Smith; Aug 17, 2019

Soulshaker, the tenth and latest disc from Rick Vito is terrifically enchanting.  Vito, who was a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1987 – 1991, has also played with a truck-load of my favorite artists, such as John Mayall, Bob Seger, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, and Todd Rundgren.  With Charles “Mojo” Johnson manning the drums, Vito handles most everything else: guitars, vocals, bass, and keys.     

Vito sets a mysterious retro atmosphere in “I’ve Got a Secret”.  Beautifully played and sung with a crooner’s finesse, it pulls me right in.  Laced with a fistful of boogie and slide guitar, “I Do Believe” is a nice jam indeed.  This spirited tune hosts drummer Rick Reed, bassist Charles Harrison, and organist Mark Horwitz.  Vito breaks out some delicious Texas blues on “World On Fire”.  His guitar performance shines bright on this absolutely fabulous song.  “Ball and Chain” is another favorite.  I love the tribal beat Johnson lays down.  It meshes quite nicely with the ominous sounds Vito concocts with his slide.  Wrapping up the album, is a lovely heartfelt instrumental of Sam Cooke’s “Change is Gonna Come”.  Words are not needed.  Vito’s guitar speaks for itself on this one.

Vito’s style is unique and sits atop a conglomeration of blues, roots, and pop.  Regardless of which style each song gravitates to, it’s a joy to hear him play.  Soulshaker is definitely a winner in my book.           

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