Bob Corritore & Friends – Early Blues Sessions
16 songs time – 50:33
Blues harmonica ace Bob Corritore delves into his recorded archives for blues collaborations from 1984 to 2007. This is real deal blues with Bob supplying harmonica to every track. Although most of these artists have passed on to blues heaven, they left behind memorable blues moments. The first thing that caught my attention was the pristine sound quality and the separation of the instruments. Other than the featured artists, the backing musicians vary from track to track. Bob’s harmonica playing enhances every song.
One of my favorites is “Cool Calm Collected” by King Karl, who I’ve never heard of. It is cool and smooth and has Rusty Zinn and Johnny Rapp on guitars. Another is the unexpected jazz side of Robert Lockwood Jr. on Wes Montgomery’s “Naptown Blues”. He also does a good version of Robert Johnson’s “Ramblin’ On My Mind”. Robert lays down some jazzy guitar alongside of Eddie Hollis’s tasty organ. Lil’ Ed does a good representation of his uncle JB Hutto’s “Hip Shakin'”, with help from Johnny Rapp on second guitar. Chico Chism plays drums and contributes his gravelly pipes to Eddie Boyd’s classic “Five Long Years”, with Johnny Rapp on guitar and the iconic Pinetop Perkins on piano. Jimmy Rogers’ smooth voice and delivery graces “She Loves Another Man” with Buddy Reed on second guitar.
Bob Corritore delivers one of his more forceful harp turns on Tomcat Courtney’s original tune “I Wonder”. Chris James adds guitar and Tomcat shouts out the words with conviction. Henry Gray plays piano on Little Milton’s “I Want To Be The One”. This finds Milton in good form. Henry Gray sings and plays piano on his original “Showers Of Rain”, with Bob Margolin and Johnny Rapp on guitars. Lowell Fulson’ “West Texas Blues” begins life as Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “Matchbox Blues”. He is accompanied solely by his guitar and Bob on harp.
Bob Corritore and his blues cohorts dish out a heaping helping of old school style blues. It is also a showcase for Bob’s knack for complimenting the songs. He is truly a harmonica master. It is all winners here, simple and straight forward and honest blues.
