Bob Corritore & Friends – Doin’ The Shout
12 Tracks – 49 Minutes
This is harmonica wizard Bob Corritore’s 21st album. As his history demonstrates, his ownership of the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, his radio show, “Those Lowdown Blues” on KJZZ radio, and other many deep involvements in the blues led to his recent receipt of a Keeping the Blues Alive Award and frequent connections with many blues musicians in the genre. The many touches he has with those musicians has created a large gathering of friends. He brought those friends together for nine recording sessions that occurred in 2023 and 2024, which resulted in this album. Bob’s harmonica is obviously present on all of the cuts and Jimi “Primetime” Smith plays guitar on ten tracks.
The album opens with opens with the jumping “Say Baby Say” with Thornetta Davis on vocals, Bob Stroger on bass, Johnny Burgin on guitar, Dave Keyes on piano, and Wes Starr on Drums. Thornetta proclaims he is “a no-good man and this time you have gone too far”. Vocalist Oscar Wilson, guitarist Bob Margolin burning up the strings on a slide guitar, Starr on drums, and pianist Anthony Geraci power “Woman Wanted”. Oscar asks for a woman to answer his ad. The high energy title song features Nora Jean on vocals with Johnny Rapp on guitar, Yahni Riley on bass, and Brian Fahey on drums. Nora declares “I’m so happy, my baby’s coming… We’re going to shout all day”.
The smooth, jazzy “I Guess I Am a Fool” features Francine Reed on vocals, Duke Robillard on guitar, Ben Levin on piano, Ben Hedquist on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums. Nora Jean and Johnny Rapp gets things jumping again on “It’s My Life” with Riley on bass and Fahey on drums. Nora states, “It’s my life, I will live it as I please”. Wilson, Margolin, Geraci and Starr again team for the soulful “Just A Dream”, which sounds like something Ray Charles could have recorded.
Bobby Rush declares “I’ve Got Three Problems” with Dexter Allen adding guitar, Chester Thompson on B3 organ and Steve Ferrone on drums. His problems are “my woman, my girlfriend, and my wife”. Thornetta Davis is joined again by Johnny Burgin’s guitar, Chester Thomson on B3 organ, Wes Starr on drums, and Mark Earley on baritone sax on “That Don’t Appease Me”. Tia Carroll proclaims “I’ve Got to be with You Tonight” with Kid Ramos and Johnny Main on guitar, Bill Stove on bass, and Stephen Hodges on drums.
John Primer plays guitar and sings on “Twenty Room House” with Anthony Geraci again on piano and Wes Starr on drums. John advises “With my baby gone, one room would be plenty”. Jimi “Primetime” Smith steps forward for a vocal duet with Carla Denise as they state the “Same Old Thing” “just don’t make no sense at all”. with Geraci on piano and Wes Starr on drums. Bob Stroger takes the vocal lead and tells the tale of “My First Love” back in when he first came to Chicago back in 1961 with Bob Margolin taking on the bass responsibilities and Geraci again on piano and Starr on drums.
Of course, Bob’s harmonica is omnipresent throughout the album but never getting in the way of his guests and constantly complementing the music. This is another excellent pure blues album from Bob and all of his friends. Highly recommended for all blues lovers.
