#473 : Bob Corritore’s “From the Vaults” Series

 

• Dave Riley & Bob Corritore - Travelin’ the Dirt Road
• The Kid Ramos / Bob Corritore – Phoenix Blues Sessions
• Henry Gray & Bob Corritore Sessions - Vol: 2 Cold Chills

2020 – Vizztone  

By Phillip Smith; Nov. 28, 2020

I can’t express how excited I am about this new “From the Vaults” blues series from Bob Corritore on Vizztone.  The first three releases out of the gate pair the harmonica master with Dave Riley, Kid Ramos, and Henry Gray. 

Dave Riley & Bob Corritore’s 2007 album Travelin’ the Dirt Road consists not only of the original tracks, but has two additional previous unreleased songs as well.  Recorded over three sessions from 2005 to 2006, this album features Riley on guitar, Corritore on harmonica, Johnny Rapp on guitar, Matt Bishop on piano, Dave Riley Jr. on bass, and Tom Coulson on drums.   

The album nicely rolls the album in with “I’m Not Your Junkman”, a tune written by John Weston, Riley’s friend and former bandmate.  Warm vocals and a fascinating guitar performance capture my attention on “Let’s Have Some Fun Tonight”.  Corritore is such fabulous side-man.  His harp playing never takes a back seat, and in tracks like “My Baby’s Gone”, it completely makes the song.  This one sounds so great, especially with Bishop busting out his barrelhouse piano.  “Voodoo Woman, Voodoo Man” is a double dose of slow-brewed blues, and I love every bit of it.   

The Kid Ramos/Bob Corritore album Phoenix Blues Sessions is a collection of collaborations between the two from the late 1990’s to the early 2000’s.  Originally released as a fund raiser during Kid’s cancer scare in 2012, this re-release features three previously unreleased songs, and an alternate take on “Natural Ball”.  With Ramos on guitar and Corritore on harp, Chico Chism take the reigns on drums with Paul Thomas as the bassist and Johnny Rapp on guitar or mandolin.  Vocalists consists of Nappy Brown (1929 – 2008), Henry Gray, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame (1925 – 2014), Big Pete Pearson, and Dr. Fish.  Additional musicians consist of bassist Marrio Moreno and pianist Tom Mahon.

I love the twangy sound of Ramos’ guitar on “Come on In”.  This classic from Harum Scarums (Big Bill Broonzy, Mozelle Alderson, Thomas A. Dorsey) features Henry Gray on piano and vocals.  Corritore delightfully ushers Eddie Boyd’s “24 Hours” in on harp, with Dr. Fish delivering a timeless vocal performance.  I love the raw infectious groove on “No More Doggin’” with Chief Schabutti Guilliame commandeering the microphone.  This is absolutely fabulous.  Ramos’ slide guitar is captivating on Little Milton’s “Possum in My Tree”.  Featuring Big Pete Pearson on vocals and Mahon on piano, its such a terrific cover.             

Henry Gray & Bob Corritore’s Sessions Vol: 2 Cold Chills features recordings made between 1996 and 2016.  With Gray on piano and vocals, Corritore on harp, and guitarist Johnny Rapp on most of the songs, the list of musicians who are a part of this is rock solid.  A partial list of them include, Robert Lockwood Jr, (1915 – 2006) Bob Margolin, Eddie Taylor Jr. (1972 – 2019), Tail Dragger, Jimi “”Primetime” Smith, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame (1925 – 2014) , Illinois Slim, Johnny Burgin, Chris James, and Kirk Fletcher.   

Eddie Taylor Jr. brings his vocals and guitar prowess along with guitarist Illinois Slim for a wonderful cover of Jimmy Roger’s “Going Away Baby”.  This is what the blues is all about.  Corritore’s harp-playing is music for the soul.  “Steady Rollin’” Bob Margolin appears with guitar in hand on “Ain’t No Use”.  Gray’s piano performance is flawless and his vocal performance draws me right in.  Chubby Checker’s ‘The Twist’ is a big ball of fun, with Jimi “Primetime” Smith singing.  Bassist Troy Sandow and drummer Marty Dodson keep the party going on the rhythm section.  The Chief brings one of his own songs, “Javelina Jamboree” to the album in full-on shindig style.  Being from Arkansas, I’m more likely to refer to these gnarly beasts as a razorback.  Burgin tears it up on guitar while Gray pounds the hell out of the keys, and Corritore rips it up on harp.  It’s a good time for sure.  It’s so cool to hear the legendary Robert Lockwood Jr. play guitar on “Mother in Law Blues” too.                

This “From the Vaults” series is certainly one to keep your eyes on.  This is a must listen for serious blues fans.  These first three albums are an absolute treasure.  I honestly can’t wait to see what Corritore has in store next. 

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

#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

 

 

#604 : Bob Corritore & Friends - Women in Blues Showcase (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2023 – Vizztone

By Phillip Smith; April 6, 2023

Release Date : March. 31, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I’m always looking forward to the next Bob Corritore & Friends album.  His reach is quite long when it comes to his blues connections.  Featuring a dozen recordings with Bob playing harmonica with artists Francine Reed, Carol Fran, Shy Perry, Diunna Greanleaf, Aliya Primer, Barbara Lynn, Koko Taylor, and Valerie June, this Women in Blues Showcase is a huge delight. 

One of my favorite artists today is Valerie June, and I am filled with joy to hear a collaboration with her on the timeless classic “Crawdad Hole”.  Valerie’s angelic vocals paired with Corritore’s perfectly paired harmonica accompaniment is country-blues at its best.  With Bob Margolin on guitar, the growling vocals of the late great Koko Taylor ring loud and fearless on “What Kind of Man is This”.  It’s served on an unescapable groove.  Shy Perry and her father Bill “Howlin’ Madd” Perry pitch a juke-joint “Wang Dang Doodle” that lasts all night long.  I absolutely love this one. Another daughter-father duo Aliya Primer and John Primer busts out some funky blues with “Te Ni Nee Ni Nu”.  John doles out a smokin’ guitar performance and it sounds great.  I really enjoy listening to Diunna Greenleaf, and her horn-infused take on the Willie Dixon-penned “Don’t Mess with the Messer” is a fantastic production with Fred Kaplin on piano, and Jimi “Primetime” Smith on guitar.  The album closes out with Francine Reed soulfully singing the Staples’ hit “Why Am I Treated So Bad”.  Corritore adds a smokey aura to the song on harp while Kid Ramos and Johnny Main add more fuel to the fire on guitar.   

Bob Corritore & Friends Women in Blues Showcase is yet another highly-recommended album from the desk of Phillycheeze.  It hits all the necessary marks.                     

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TRACKLIST

 

1		“You're Gonna Be Sorry” feat. Barbara Lynn	2:46
2		“I Just Need A Friend” feat. Carol Fran	2:34
3		“Crawdad Hole” feat. Valerie June	2:45
4		“What Kind Of Man Is This” feat. Koko Taylor	4:15
5		“Wang Dang Doodle” feat. Shy Perry	3:14
6		“Be For Me” feat. Diunna Greenleaf	4:04
7		“Te Ni Nee Ni Nu” feat. Aliya Primer	3:58
8		“I Needs To Be Be'd With” feat. Carol Fran	3:13
9		“Don't Mess With The Messer” feat. Diunna Greenleaf	2:51
10		“You Don't Have To Go” feat. Barbara Lynn	3:00
11		“Walkin' Slippin' And Slidin'” feat. Carol Fran	3:09
12		“Why Am I Treated So Bad” feat. Francine Reed	5:20

 

 

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

 

 

 

#671 : John Primer and Bob Corritore - Crawlin' Kingsnake (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

2024 – Vizztone Label Group
By Phillip Smith; April 5, 2024

Release Date : .Mar. 29, 2024

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

There are not many artists around who instill Chicago blues authenticity into their music as Blues Hall-of-Famer John Primer and Bob Corritore do. Paired together for the fourth time since 2013, this dynamic duo returned to the studios and cut yet another fabulous album. Crawlin’ Kingsnake is the name, and it contains a dozen ripping tracks. With Corritore on harp and Primer on guitar and vocals, they are joined by bassist Bob Stroger, Jimi “Primetime” Smith on second guitar, Anthony Geraci on piano and Wes Starr on drums.

After the smoke clears from the opening James Cotton song “Take a Message”, their title-track cover of John Lee Hooker’s “Crawlin’ Kingsnake” digs its claws in deep. Primer’s experienced vocals and precision guitar are fantastically supported by Geraci and the rhythm section. Then they roll right into Willie Dixon’s “Down in the Bottom” with Corritore keeping the song barreling down the tracks on harp. It sounds fantastic. They bring the fire to “Hiding Place”, a Primer original from his 1991 album Poor Man’s Blues. The song absolutely cooks. When they hit B.B. King’s “Chains and Things”, they play it sweet and slow. This one really brings me into my blues zone. When the big entrance of guitar and keys on Muddy Waters’ “Rosalee Blues” kick in, and I hear Primer start belting out the lyrics, I’m gob smacked for a simmering delightful listen. I absolutely love their performance of Magic Slim’s “Gravel Road”. It’s a signed, sealed, and delivered favorite.

It's hard to beat the lineup of artists on Crawlin’ Kingsnake. This album is about as real-deal blues as an album can get. I highly recommend it,

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For more information about these artists, visit their websites at : https://johnprimerblues.com/ and https://bobcorritore.com/

 

For other PhillyCheeze review regarding John Primer and Bob Corritore, follow these links:

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=John+Primer

https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=Bob+Corritore

#442 : John Primer & Bob Corritore - The Gypsy Woman Told Me

2020 - Vizztone
By Phillip Smith; April 25, 2020

John Primer and Bob Corritore have teamed up once again to record yet another fabulously legitimate record of blues.  Primer instantly connects with his vocals, and enthralls me with his guitar phrasing.   He sounds so damn good as Corritore absolutely rips it up on harmonica.  Produced by Corritore, Clarke Rigsby and Kid Andersen, The Gypsy Woman Told Me also features Jimi “Primetime” Smith (guitar), Billy Flynn (guitar), Bob Welsh (piano), Kid Andersen (organ), Ben Levin (piano), Kedar Roy (bass), Mike Hightower (bass), Troy Sandow (bass), June Core (drums), and Brian Fahley (drums).  This twelve-track album contains ten deep covers and a pair of splendid Primer originals. 

Muddy Water’s “The Gypsy Woman Told Me” makes for a captivating listen as the title track.  With Welsh on piano, Roy on bass, and Core on drums, this one is slowly steeped in old-fashioned Chicago blues.  Corritore wonderfully takes on the legendary Helena, Arkansas harp player Sonny Boy Williamson II with “My Imagination”.  Primer’s guitar sizzles and Welsh holds nothing back on the ivories.  Dripping with emotion, their cover of Jimmy Rogers’ “Left Me with a Broken Heart” is exquisite.  With the driving rhythm of a rolling freight train, “Little Bitty Woman”, is a smashing song.  This Primer original features spirited vocals, tremendous harp topped with Welsh’s attention-grabbing barrelhouse piano.  Flynn, Hightower, and Fahey provide the backing for the guys as they close with “Ain’t Gonna Be No Cuttin’ Loose”, a James Cotton song from 1984.  Primer plays this with precision against Corritore’s textured and nuanced performance.

The musical chemistry between Primer and Corritore is incomparable as they continue to produce some of the best blues being produced these days.  An absolute must for the blues fan, The Gypsy Woman Told Me is a sheer delight.     

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For more information about the artists, visit their websites : www.johnprimerblues.com ,  bobcorritore.com

PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com #541 > Bob Corritore & Friends - Down Home Blues Revue

 

2022 – Vizztone/SWMAF

By Phillip Smith; Feb. 5, 2022

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I’ve really been enjoying the ‘From the Vaults’ albums spearheaded by blues harmonica marvel Bob Corritore.  The latest in the series, Down Home Blues Revue, features thirteen tracks of real-deal blues recorded between 1995 and 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona.  The amazing roster of southern blues artists on this album had all played Corritore’s blues club The Rhythm Room, and recorded tracks with him while in town.  The artists featured on this wonderful album are Robert ‘Bilbo’ Walker, Tomcat Courtney, T-Model Ford, Henry Townsend, Smokey Wilson, Honeyboy Edwards, Pecan Porter, Al Garrett, Dave Riley, and Big Jack Johnson. 

I was so happy to see Robert ‘Bilbo’ Walker’s name on the credits.  It was through Jeff Konkel and Roger Stolle’s docu-series MoonShine & Mojo Hands, and their film M for Mississippi where I first heard Walker, and quickly became a fan.   Walker appears three times on this album with songs “Rooster Blues”, “Still a Fool”, and “Baby Baby Baby”.  Another name that brought a big smile to my face was Fat Possum recording artist T-Model Ford.  His renditions of Arthur Crudup’s “Mean Old Frisco and Howlin’ Wolf’s “I Asked For Water” are captivating.     

Tomcat Courtney, who sadly passed away just a year ago at the age of 91, gives an extraordinary performance with “Clara Mae” a hard-edged, straight-up blues song on the evils of crystal meth.  Honeyboy Edwards performs Robert Lockwood’s “Take a Little Walk With Me”, with Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on drums, and I soak every bit of it up.  Corritore rips it up on harmonica as Pecan Porter takes on Canned Heat’s “Lets Work Together”.  The groove on Dave Riley’s “Home in Chicago” runs deep, and sounds great.  With a swaggering approach, Big Jack Johnson electrifies “Bluebird Blues” originally by Sonny Boy Williamson I.  He and Corritore sound terrific together.

Fans of Mississippi delta blues will definitely want to pick up this album.  It’s an absolute gem.

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

  

#499 : Bob Corritore & Friends - Spider in My Stew

 

2021 – Vizztone

Release Date : May 14, 2021

By Phillip Smith; May 08, 2021

 

Taking into consideration all his own records in addition to all the others he’s played on, Bob Corritore has appeared on over a hundred albums in his career.  In that time, he’s acquired a hell of a lot of friends.  Thirty-eight of them appear on his new fourteen-track disc Spider in My Stew, making for one of the hottest straight-up blues albums this year.

The fabulous voice of Oscar Wilson (Cash Box Kings) takes command as he joins Tony Tomlinson (guitar), Patrick Skog (bass), and Alan West (drums) of the Fremonts to kick the album off with a swanky cover of Fenton Robinson’s 1957 single “Tennessee Woman”.   Shea Marshall’s contributions on piano and sax gives it the perfect finishing touch.  Sugarray Rayford, one of my favorite singers these past few years, belts out one of his own songs “Big Mama’s Soul Food, joined by Kid Ramos and Johnny Main on guitar.  This one has me jonesing for a meal at Miss Polly’s on Beale Street in Memphis.  The great Johnny Rawls lends himself and a song as well.  “Sleeping With the Blues” is smothered in his trademark style of soulful blues.  Bob Welsh on piano and John Primer on guitar and vocals rip it up on a splendid cover of the J.B. Lenoir song, “Mama Talk to Your Daughter”.  With Alabama Mike taking the mic, and Junior Watson (the Mighty Flyers, Canned Heat) on guitar, “Look Out” absolutely cooks.  I dig the groove.  The rhythm really takes a hold on this one.

I love the Willie Dixon tribute which packs three of his songs right in a row.  “Don’t Mess With the Messer” gets this batch started with Diunna Greenleaf on vocals and Jimi ‘Primetime’ Smith on guitar.  That is followed by title-track “Spider in My Stew” which hosts a dynamic duo of Lurrie Bell and Bob Margolin.  Corritore pours his soul into the song, as Bell and Margolin duke it out on guitar.  Bell takes the mic on this one, and it sounds great.  The Willie Dixon three-fer concludes with a rollicking standout recording of “Wang Dang Doodle” with Bill ‘Howl-N-MAdd’ Perry and his daughter Shy Perry.    

Blues fans will surely want to pick up this all-star blues record.  It’s fantastic!       

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

 

Take a listen to the album on Apple Music.

 

#683 : Big Llou's Fundraiser and Vizztone Showcase : Memphis on Beale St. - May 8, 2024 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Blues Music Awards Showcase
Presented by BratGirlmedia
Rum Boogie Cafe
Memphis, Tennessee
May 8, 2023
 
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
I made it down to Memphis for the Blues Music Awards last year for the very first time. I had so much fun and heard so much fantastic music, I had to return for another round this year. It was another amazing experience. 
On May 8th, the evening before the BMA's, I attended a pair of music showcases. One was Big Llou's 10th Annual Blues Hall of Fame Tribute Fundraiser at Alfred's on Beale, The other was Vizztone's All-Star Blues Party on Beale St./Blues Music Award Showcase at Rum Boogie Cafe.
And just like last year, without camera in tow, I still captured a few photos of these fabulous events on my iPhone while I bounced back and forth between the venues.  
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* all photos by Phillip Smith

Big Llou's at Alfreds

Vince Johnson & the Plantation Allstars

Chris Cain with Vince Johnson

Vince Johnson & the Plantation Allstars

Chris Cain with Vince Johnson

Mathias Lattin

Tony Holiday

Tony Holiday

Mr. Sipp

Mr. Sipp

Southern Avenue

Southern Avenue

Southern Avenue

Southern Avenue

Johnny Rawls

Johnny Rawls

Vizztone/Bratgirl Media at Rum Boogie Cafe

Blackburn Brothers

Blackburn Brothers

Blackburn Brothers

Albert Castiglia

Bob Margolin

Bob Margolin

Deb Ryder

Deb Ryder, Bob Margolin, Rosy Rosenblatt, Ben Levin

Rosy Rosenblatt, Ben Levin

Albert Castiglia & Kevin Burt

Albert Castiglia & Kevin Burt

Kevin Burt, Cliff Moore

Ephraim Lowell

Cliff Moore, Kevin Burt

Ben Levin

Albert Castiglia, Ephraim Lowell, Cliff Moore
 & Kevin Burt

Kevin Burt, Ephraim Lowell, Cliff Moore

Sue Foley

Sue Foley , Cliff Moore, Rosy Rosenblatt

Mike Zito

Mike Zito

Albert Castiglia & Mike Zito

Albert Castiglia & Mike Zito

Cliff Moore, Albert Castiglia & Mike Zito

John Primer

John Primer, Tony Braunagel, Cliff Moore, Mike Zito, Bob Corritore

John Primer & Mike Zito

Cliff Moore, Mike Zito & Bob Corritore

Lara Price