Reviews from these publications are listed below in chronological order. Scroll to see all reviews.
ABS Magazine (France)
American Blues Scene
The Aquarian
Back To The Roots (Belgium)
Blues & Co. (France)
Blues & Rhythm (U.K.)
Blues Blast Magazine
Blues Bytes
Blues In The South (Australia)
Blues Matters (U.K.)
Blues Music Fan Radio
Blues Music Magazine
Blues Roadhouse
Bluestown Music (Netherlands)
BSMF (Japan)
Chicago Blues Guide #1
Chicago Blues Guide #2
Concert Monkey (Belgium)
Cultura Blues
Grateful Web
Jazz ‘N’ More (Switzerland)
Keys And Chords (Netherlands)
La Hora Del Blues (Spain)
Living Blues
Paris Move
Soul Bag (France)
Sound Guardian (Croatia)
WTJU
ZicaZine (France)
WTJU (August 22, 2023)
Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me is Bob Corritore’s latest masterpiece collection of newly recorded songs featuring a spectacular offering of today’s top blues artists. Bob’s brilliant harmonica work is the connecting thread, always serving the song. Guest vocalists include Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Francine Reed, Oscar Wilson, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Tia Carroll, Diunna Greenleaf, Willie Buck, Jimi Primetime Smith, Sugaray Rayford, and Lurrie Bell. Just a splended collection of Blues that already feels like a classic album. First song on the album is featuring John Primer on vocals, “This Little Voice”, so good. The two songs that Thornetta Davis are amazing, “I need A Whole Lotta Lovin’ and “Remember Me”. “I’m Good As Gone” has Bobby Rush singing some super down home Blues. I think my favorite on this CD is “I Want To Be Loved” with Tia Carroll on vocals.
Keys And Chords (Netherlands) (August 29, 2023)
5.0 ★★★★★
Radiopresentator, talentscout en vooral mondharmonica-ace Bob Corritore werd geboren in Chicago op 27 September 1956. Hij schuimde er toen als tiener de blues clubs af. Maar Bob verhuisde naar Phoenix, Arizona waar hij al geruime tijd de befaamde club The Rhythm Room uitbaat. Na heel wat projecten met collega artiesten heeft hij nu alweer een volgend project met zijn ‘Friends’ collectie. Bob stelde alweer een schitterende all-star blues-showcase samen. Zestien geweldige nummers en opwindende uitvoeringen, vastgelegd tijdens verschillende opnamesessies. En dat levert pure, onverbloemde en onvervalste blues. Bob is een meester in ingetogenheid op zijn kleinood. Zijn productiewerk en expressieve “serve the song” mondharmonicastijl is van excellente divergentie. ‘Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me’ is Bob Corritore’s nieuwste meesterwerkcollectie van opgenomen nummers met een spectaculair aanbod van hedendaagse bluesartiesten. Het briljante mondharmonica werk van Bob vormt de rode draad, maar dit altijd ten dienste van de songs. Uitgelichte vocalisten op deze set zijn onder meer soul/blues en gospel-icoon Johnny Rawls, Sugaray Rayford, Tia Carroll, Diunna Greenleaf, Jimi “Primetime” Smith, Oscar Wilson, Bobby Rush, Francine Reed en Chicagoan Carl Weatersby, Lurrie Bell Bob Stroger en Willie Buck.
– Philip Verhaege
After many projects with fellow artists, Corritore has another project with his ‘Friends’ collection. Bob put another brilliant all-star blues showcase together. Sixteen great songs and exciting performances, captured during several recording sessions. And that delivers pure, unvarnished and unadulterated blues. Bob is a master of modesty on his blues harp. His production work and expressive “serve the song” harmonica style is of excellent divergence. The release ‘Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me’ is Bob Corritore’s latest masterpiece collection of recorded songs featuring a spectacular array of contemporary blues artists. Bob’s brilliant harmonica work forms the common thread, but always at the service of the songs. Great!
La Hora Del Blues (Spain) (September 2, 2023)
ESSENTIAL
I don’t know many people who work so hard for the blues and also in many different fields, as harmonica player, DJ, blues collector, producer, photographer, fan, archive keeper, owner of a blues club… etc. than Mr. Bob Corritore.
One of the activities Bob likes most is to release a series of albums he entitles “Bob Corritore & Friends” that collect the most genuine blues essence, like can be found in Chicago blues, but also in Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana or West Coast blues, thanks to his amazing collection of recordings he has done with the musicians who, over the years, have visited his radio show or his blues club The Rhythm Room. Of course, in all songs Bob is on harmonica.
Once again, the list of names included in the recording is really impressive. You will find Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Francine Reed, Tia Carroll, Oscar Wilson, Diunna Greenleaf, Jimmy “Primetime” Smith, Willie Buck, Sugaray Rayford and Lurrie Bell as vocalists and, among the instrumentalists, mention, among others, Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin, Johnny Burgin, Kid Ramos, Billy Flynn, Bill Stuve, Fred Kaplan, Debe Keyes, Doug James…
With this cast of musicians, the result can’t be other than an exceptional album, not only for its amazing quality but also because it gathers for blues lovers’ joy, the most genuine and passionate blues. Once again, Bob Corritore has hit the nail on the head.
– Vicente Zumel
Living Blues (September 2023)
No one can bring a blues festival to your living room quite like harmonica master Bob Corritore. One of the blues world’s great team players, his latest release, Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me, features a huge roster of musicians that includes some of today’s most talented performers. Culled from 14 different recording sessions that took place between 2019 and 2023, Corritore’s latest album treats listeners to an extra-large portion of talent and top-notch performances.
Opening track This Little Voice features longtime Corritore collaborator John Primer. As always, Corritore’s muscular harp work perfectly complements Primer’s gritty voice and guitar. Cash Box Kings vocalist Oscar Wilson lends his distinctive voice to the title track, a satisfying slice of no-nonsense Chicago blues. Clean, understated guitar work from Jimi “Primetime” Smith fleshes out the arrange- ment. Detroit blues queen Thornetta Davis’ vocals take center stage on Remember Me. Outstanding piano work from Dave Keyes adds atmosphere, and Corritore contributes one of his finest harp solos. Lurrie Bell’s weathered voice and distinctive guitar work create a lowdown feel on the slow blues Act Like You Love Me. Bob Margolin’s blistering slide guitar solo adds bite.
Some of this collection’s most striking tracks feature soul blues artists performing in a raw, stripped-down setting. On the minor key workout Midnight Love, Johnny Rawls bares his soul on vocals while Shea Marshall’s organ and Doug James’ sax add grit. Corritore, playing delicate, unamplified harmonica, acts as a per- fect musical foil for Rawls. Bobby Rush is his usual sly, charismatic self on the simmering. funky I’m Good as Gone. Chester Thompson’s organ stirs some spice into the mix. On Goin’ Fishin’ Sugaray Rayford gleefully handles the double entendre-laden lyrics. Intertwining gui- tars from Kid Ramos and Johnny Main anchor the arrangement, and Corritore’s harp blowing is once again spot on.
Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me is so packed with outstanding musicianship and deft ensemble playing that listeners are bound to find something new to love with each listen. Even with a discography as extensive as Corritore’s, this release stands out as a gem.
– Jon Kleinman
Paris Move (France) (September 15, 2023)
INDISPENSABLE.
Si, comme le suggère le titre de cette nouvelle collection, quelqu’un a effectivement jeté un sort à ce bon Bob Corritore, ce ne peut être que le blues lui-même! Tandis que sa production discographique se poursuit à la même cadence stakhanoviste (cf. nos chroniques ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, ICI, et ICI) le casting des artistes dont il distille, à jet quasi-constant, ces enregistrements inédits, donne le tournis. Si l’on mesure à quel point ce name-dropping peut s’avérer vertigineux, mentionnons tout de même les prestations que délivrent ici Bobby Rush, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Billy Flynn, Sugaray Rayford, Jimi “Primetime” Smith, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Rockin’ Jimmy Burgin, Bob Margolin, Lurrie Bell, Ben Levin, Fred Kaplan, Anthony Geraci, Doug James, Kid Ramos, Bob Stroger, Bill Stuve, June Core, Brian Fahey, Stephen Hodges, Willie Buck, Dave Keyes, Johnny Rawls et les vocalistes Thornetta Davis, Diunna Greenleaf, Tia Carroll, Oscar Wilson et Francine Reed… Si Oscar n’est autre que le chanteur et frontman des désormais fameux Cash Box Kings, Tia Carroll est une puissante chanteuse californienne, Thornetta Davis nous vient de Detroit, Diunna Greenleaf de Houston, Texas, et leur doyenne, Francine Reed, n’est autre que la sœur de la célèbre Margo Reed, chanteuse gospel de l’Illinois disparue en 2015. Relocalisée en Georgie, Francine collabore avec Lyle Lovett depuis quatre décennies. Du swamp blues mâtiné de Chicago South Side tel que “This Little Voice” (où John Primer retrouve les accents de son ex-patron Magic Slim), en passant par le NOLA second-line beat de “I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin’” qu’expédie avec panache son autrice Thornetta Davis (les ivoires de Dave Keyes y ravivant le souvenir de Professor Longhair), et de la soul countryfiante du “If You Don’t Want To Love Me” de Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges et du “Draw Me Closer” de Doris Payne par Francine Reed, au funk lascif “I’m Good As Gone” de Bobby Rush, ce brillant aréopage déploie un mix de standards immémoriaux (“Help The Poor”, “Tough Enough”, “I Don’t Know” de Rice Miller, “Stranded” crédité à Deadric Malone – alias Don Robey – “Act Like You Love Me” de Jimmy Rogers par Lurrie Bell, ou encore “I Want To Be Loved” de Willie Dixon par Tia Carroll), et d’originaux brillamment troussés (le slow soul number “Midnight Love”, avec le sax de Doug James et l’orgue de Shev Marshall, ou le terrassant “Goin’ Fishin’” de Sugaray Rayford, dans la veine du “Scratch My Back” de Slim Harpo, avec la guitare en phasing de Kid Ramos et un Corritore plus Lazy Lester que nature). Toujours au service des vocalistes et respectueux des autres solistes, ce dernier témoigne d’un engagement constamment pertinent à l’harmonica, dont il demeure l’un des praticiens les plus érudits et éclectiques de son temps (cf. le très morganfieldien “Let Me Find Out Your Name”, où il donne au chromatique la réplique à la slide de Billy Flynn ainsi qu’aux ivoires de Ben Levin).
Cette nouvelle anthologie semble élucider enfin l’un des mystères les plus persistants de l’histoire du blues: ce fameux “Crossroads” qu’évoquait le mythique Robert Johnson devait sans doute se situer dans l’Arizona, non loin de Phoenix et de Tempe, là où se trouvent les studios Tempest où furent captées, entre 2019 et cette année, ces seize nouvelles pépites. En près de 74 minutes bien tassées, if you need meat, don’t go no further!
– Patrick Dallongeville
ZicaZine (France) (September 26, 2023)
Délaissant un moment les sorties de la collection « From The Vault » dans lesquelles il compile les plus beaux souvenirs d’une carrière longue comme le bras et plus que réjouissante, Bob Corritore nous présente pour l’automne un nouvel album, « Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me », entièrement composé de morceaux enregistrés récemment avec les artistes qui figurent parmi les meilleurs sur la scène blues contemporaine. On retrouve ainsi aux côtés de l’harmoniciste pionnier du Chicago Blues quelques voix proposées par Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Francine Reed, Oscar Wilson, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Tia Carroll, Diunna Greenleaf, Willie Buck, Jimi Primetime Smith, Sugaray Rayford et Lurrie Bell, le tout enregistré en compagnie des formidables musiciens que sont Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin, Johnny Burgin, Kid Ramos, Billy Flynn, Bill Stuve, Fred Kaplan, Dave Keyes, Doug James, Johnny Main, Johny Rapp, Yahni Riley, Kedar Roy, Troy Sandow, Mike King, Brian Fahey, June Core, Steven Hodges, Wes Starr et nombre d’autres encore ! Revisitant à leur manière quelques standards mais aussi les titres des uns un des autres, Bob Corritore & Friends parviennent une fois encore à séduire même les plus exigeants grâce à une production maison totalement irréprochable se mettant individuellement au service de chaque artiste, mais dans le but de servir le collectif et de mettre on ne peut mieux en valeur le Blues avec un grand B. On y croise diverses couleurs et diverses sensibilité au fur et à mesure que l’on franchit, un peu à la manière du Rubicon, des titres exceptionnels comme « This Little Voice », « Midnight Love », « I’m Good As Gone », « I Want To Be Loved », « Goin’ Fishin’ », « Tough Enough » ou encore « Help The Poor » offerts dans des versions dignes de la très haute couture. On a beau savoir que Bob Corritore est un artiste absolument hors norme, il continue à nous le démontrer à chacune de ses très nombreuses sorties discographiques ! Absolument indispensable, comme tous les albums de l’artiste …
– Fred Delforge
Blues Blast Magazine (September 28, 2023)
Harmonica master Bob Corritore has delivered a large quantity of top-notch recordings over the last few years, most of which fall into his “From the Vaults” series that involves recordings of artists he played with over the years at his famous Phoenix, Arizona night club, The Phoenix Room. But unlike those recordings, this latest collection is all freshly recorded songs with a vast array of his friends. The friends being many of the top blues artists playing in today’s music scene. And while Bob’s harp is certainly a major portion of every recording he releases, he blends his harmonica into the style of music presented by each of his friends. Jimi “Primetime” Smith also plays guitar on thirteen of the tracks on the album and takes the lead vocals on one.
John Primer kicks things off on vocals and guitar on A.C. Reeds’ “This Little Voice”, a pure blast of Chicago blues with Anthony Geraci on piano. Thornetta Davis proclaims “I Need a Whole Lotta Lovin’” with Johnny Burgin taking the guitar lead and David Keyes on piano on a rockin’ number. Johnny Rawls on vocals slows things down with the powerful, moody “Midnight Love” with Shea Marshall on organ, while Bob’s harp cries and Doug James accents on sax. The title song “Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me” was written and first recorded by Baby Boy Warren in 1954. Oscar Wilson takes on the vocals for this one with Ben Levin providing the piano on another Chicago blues number and Billy Flynn on guitar.
Bobby Rush tells the tale of the woman who broke his heart on “I’m Good as Gone”. with Dexter Allen and Chester Thompson on organ. This is the first single release from the album. “Stranded” is credited as having been written by Deadric Malone, which is the pseudonym for Don Robey. The song was originally recorded by Clarence “Gatesmouth” Brown. Carl Weathersby does the vocals and guitar on this one with Anthony Geraci again on piano. Thornetta Davis returns to plea to her lover to “Remember Me” “when I’m buried in the cold, cold ground.” The song was originally written and recorded by Alberta Adams. Johnny Burgin provides the guitar lead with David Keyes on piano. Tia Carroll is the vocalist on Willie Dixon’s “I Want to Be Loved” with Sid Morris on piano.
Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges plays guitar and the vocals on a smooth R&B “If You Don’t Want to Love Me”. Sugaray Rayford announces that he is “Goin’ Fishin’”, on a funky track that notes “I don’t need no rod and reel… my newly printed dollar bills and my big Lincoln seals the deal.” with Kid Ramos and Johnny Mann on the guitars. Lurie Bell plays guitar and growls on Jimmy Rogers’ “Act Like You Love Me” with Bob Margolin adding guitar. Francine Reed begs him to “Draw Me Closer” in a R&B number originally written and performed by Doris Payne in the early 1960’s. Kid Ramos again joins on guitar with Shea Marshall on organ. Jimi “Primetime” Smith takes on the vocal duties on “Tough Enough” with Johnny Rapp on guitar. Carl Weathersby plays guitar and is the vocalist on Sonny Boy Williamson’s “I Don’t Know” with Anthony Geraci on piano. Diunna Greenleaf begs everyone to “Help the Poor” on a song first recorded by B.B. King in 1964. Fred Kaplan plays organ and piano with Doug James on sax and Jeff “Doc” Chandonhouse on a jazzy trumpet. Willie Buck closes the album with William Crawford’s “Let Me Find Out Your Name” with Billy Flynn on guitar and Ben Levin on piano.
The rhythm section for the songs also includes a vast array of well-known friends. On bass, Bob Stroger performs on seven of the cuts with Yahni Riley, Kedar Roy, Troy Sandow, Mike King and Bill Stuve filling out the remainder. Drummers include Wes Starr, Brian Fahey, Steve Ferrone, June Core, Stephen Hodges, and Andrew Gutterman. James “Jamaldi” Anderson also adds percussion.
As always, every track is a masterpiece featuring Bob’s sharp production and amazing harmonica work. His albums have been one that I look forward to for every release and he certainly has a lot of very talented friends. Keep them coming Bob.
– John Sacksteder
Chicago Blues Guide #1 (September 29, 2023)
It’s certainly been a banner year for Bob Corritore. This busy bluesman has done everything from touring the world and running his Rhythm Room in Phoenix to putting on a weekly radio show and so much more. It’s all part of his quest to keep the spirit of traditional blues alive in people’s hearts and minds.
In addition to all these commitments, Corritore is on track to release a total of five CDs in 2023. The World in a Jug, Women in Blues Showcase and High-Rise Blues are already out and winning praise and accolades from blues fans and critics alike. In December, he will be releasing a CD with all Arizona area artists entitled Phoenix Blues Rumble to showcase the musical talent in his adopted city.
Corritore’s fourth CD of 2023 is called Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me which is coming out via the VizzTone label on September 29th. This new release represents a departure from his “From the Vaults” series since it features 16 newly recorded tracks by a diverse list of current blues artists. Corritore said his goal is to put out an album of new material every year to “reflect the here and now” and showcase the best and brightest in the business today.
Corritore’s Rhythm Room has served as a desert mecca for blues players and fans ever since it opened in 1991. Corritore has wisely parlayed these stopovers into studio sessions to capture the magic for posterity. On Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me, he is serving up recordings by everyone from Bobby Rush and Thornetta Davis to John Primer, Jimi “Primetime” Smith and many others.
Of course, with Corritore hailing from the Windy City, the Chicago blues community is well-represented in Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me. John Primer, Willie Buck, Oscar Wilson and Lurrie Bell are all included in this carefully curated compilation.
Artists from other regions of the United States are also featured on Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me. This CD includes stellar contributions from Detroit’s Thornetta Davis and the Bay Area’s Tia Carroll to Bobby Rush and Johnny Rawls of Mississippi. Texas is also on board with fine performances from Sugar Ray Rayford and Diunna Greenleaf.
While the list of featured musicians is quite diverse, Corritore’s harmonica seamlessly adapts to each artist’s individual style and approach. In a recent phone interview, he said that with each new recording, he finds the opportunity to continue to grow and fine-tune his sound. He added that, “through all these years, I am still in discovery. It thrills me that I continue to uncover new, imaginative ways to interact with a song on harmonica. The learning process is never done.”
It’s no secret that there is much musical magic to be made when artists of this caliber come together to create “basically live recordings in the studio.” This is possible thanks to Corritore having an all-star cast of session musicians on speed dial. He added, “I’ve worked hard to get a team of people who are all about doing it right then and there.” The liner notes on Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me bear this out with a long list of musical luminaries who came on board in support of this project.
It’s also obvious that Corritore has a personal connection with all the featured artists on Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me. The first track features John Primer on “This Little Voice.” Primer has been collaborating with Corritore since 2012 and their bond has strengthened through the years. He said that “I feel privileged to play with someone of John’s stature. He brings out the Chicago blues in me. He brings me back to my roots.”
Jimi “Primetime” Smith is another of Corritore’s friends and frequent collaborators. Like Corritore, Smith has had a banner year with everything from a cover story in Living Blues magazine to his successful World in a Jug project with Corritore. This streak continues with Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me as Smith shines on his “Tough Enough” and turns in some wonderful guitar work on many other tracks.
Corritore also praised Thornetta Davis, who appears on “I Need a Whole Lot of Loving.” He said, “it was a joy to work with the Queen of Detroit blues.” Davis’s big-voiced bawdy delivery on this fun little number is a joy to behold. She also pops up on “Remember Me.”
Corritore said that working with some of these artists helps stretch his musical boundaries. This is the case with Johnny Rawls who appears on his own “Midnight Love.” Corritore noted that since Rawls plays “seriously traditional soul, he is taking me to places I’ve never gone.” Corritore added that “soul music and harmonica can really work together. I moved out of my comfort zone, but it works well. Johnny’s such a champion songwriter.”
Bobby Rush is another Mississippian who appears on Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me. Corritore said he was “thrilled” when the “King of Mississippi funk” agreed to perform on the CD. However, there was also a bit of trepidation on Corritore’s part since Rush is a fine harpist in his own right. But the session went swimmingly and “I’m Good as Gone” is another gem.
Corritore is equally effusive about “Mr. 43rd Street” Oscar Wilson, who comes up big on the title track. He said, “Oscar has such a beautiful, rich voice and is a true bluesman. He has a lot to say, and we have a good time.” He said that Wilson “just killed it” on “Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me.”
Corritore and company had another killer session with local legend, Willie Buck. Corritore recalled that “the great storyteller” Buck surprised the team with an original song, which was “Let Me Find Out Your Name.” This track also features some “amazing” slide work by Billy Flynn. Corritore has a longtime association with Buck, who was the first true blues bandleader who hired him.
Carl Weathersby is one of the artists to appear for the first-time on Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me. Corritore lauded his vocal work and “energy in the studio” as Weathersby turns in a pair of fantastic performances on “Stranded” and “I Don’t Know.”
Corritore also gave accolades to both Lurrie Bell and Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges who appear on “Act Like You Love Me” and “If You Don’t Want to Love Me” respectively. Corritore said that Bell “is such a deep master of the blues” while Bridges’ voice “is as close as Sam Cooke as you’re gonna get.”
With such a star-studded roster of today’s top talent, Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me is a must-have for your music collection. Corritore summed it up when he said, “there is something for everyone on this record” and it captures “all the fun times I’ve had in the studio.” He added that his goal is to “share these good moments after I’ve collected enough songs for an album.” Since it’s a safe bet that he has additional tracks stored away for later, that’s a true stroke of good luck for us blues lovers!
– Robin Zimmerman
American Blues Scene (September 29, 2023)
VizzTone proudly announces the September 29 release of Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me, Bob Corritore’s latest masterpiece collection of newly recorded songs featuring a spectacular offering of today’s top blues artists. Bob’s brilliant harmonica work is the connecting thread, effortlessly tying together a great variety of blues styles and always serving the song.
This album differs from Corritore’s Vaults Series albums in that these are all freshly recorded tracks and it reflects the best aspects of the blues world that we live in right now. Guest vocalists include Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Francine Reed, Oscar Wilson, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Tia Carroll, Diunna Greenleaf, Willie Buck, Jimi Primetime Smith, Sugaray Rayford, and Lurrie Bell.
And of course it’s the Bob Corritore production touch that seems to bring out different and extra cool aspects of each artist’s performance. He keeps upping his game with presentations of great vocalists, musicians, songs, and vibes. Listening to this album is like going to the best possible blues festival filled with one heartfelt performance after another.
In case you missed it: listen to the first single, “I’m Good As Gone,” featuring blues icon and Grammy winner Bobby Rush! Co-produced by Bob Corritore and Clarke Rigsby, the lineup includes drum legend Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Average White Band, Eric Clapton) and organist Chester Thompson (Santana, Tower of Power). Guitarists Dexter Allen and Jimi “Primetime” Smith deliver a powerful and driving groove, pairing consummately with Rush’s vocals that continue to bristle with vitality. Corritore the harmonica ace sparsely teases his way around the vocals until breaking out into an emphatic solo.
Concert Monkey (Belgium) (September 29, 2023)
Bob Corritore is een Amerikaans mondharmonicaspeler, die op 27 september 1956 in Chicago werd geboren. Zijn leven veranderde voorgoed wanneer hij op twaalfjarige leeftijd voor het eerst Muddy Waters hoorde op de radio. In minder dan één jaar leerde hij mondharmonica spelen. Bob zocht contact met de grote harpspelers, zoals Big Walter Horton, Little Mack Simmons, Louis Myers, Junior Wells, Big John Wrencher en Carey Bell. Van hen kreeg hij veel mondharmonica tips en aanmoedigingen. In 1981 verhuisde Bob naar Phoenix, Arizona, waar hij in 1986 begon samen te werken met voormalig Howlin’ Wolf drummer Chico Chism. Die samenwerking duurde twintig jaar, tot Chico in 2007 overleed. In 1991 opende Bob de inmiddels beroemde blues & roots club, The Rhythm Room en in 1999 bracht hij zijn debuutalbum ‘All-Star Blues Sessions’ uit. In 2005 bracht Bob de Rhythm Room All-Stars, met Big Pete Pearson, naar het Marco Fiume Blues Passions Festival in Italië. Hierdoor kwam er heel wat Europese interesse voor het vurig mondharmonica spel van Bob Corritore. In 2007 ontving Bob een Keeping The Blues Alive Award van de Blues Foundation. In datzelfde jaar werd ‘Travelin’ The Dirt Road’, een samenwerking met Dave Riley, genomineerd voor een Blues Music Award. In 2011 won het album ‘Harmonica Blues’ van Bob Corritore & Friends een Blues Music Award voor Best Historical Blues Release. In 2013 werd ‘Ain’t Nothing You Can Do’, de schitterende samenwerking met John Primer, gekozen tot Best Blues Album Of 2013 door het Duitse Blues News Magazine. Een jaar later kreeg Corritore ook een Blues 411 Jimi Award als Beste Mondharmonicaspeler. In mei 2020 verscheen ‘The Gypsy Woman Told Me’, de derde samenwerking tussen Bob Corritore en John Primer. In het najaar van 2020 verschenen nog drie albums van Bob Corritore in de reeks ‘From The Vault Series’. Ook op zijn album ‘Spider In My Stew’ uit 2021 nodigde Bob Corritore weer een hele reeks gasten uit. Sugaray Rayford, Lurrie Bell, John Primer, Alabama Mike, Diunna Greenleaf, Francine Reed, Johnny Rawls, Oscar Wilson, Willie Buch, Bill & Shy Perry, Bob Stroger, Bob Margolin, Junior Watson, Kid Ramos, Johnny Main, Jimi Smith en Adrianna Marie zijn er een paar van. In de reeks Bob Corritore’s ‘From The Vaults’ verscheen op 18 februari 2022 ‘Tell Me ‘Bout It’ van Louisiana Red en Bob Corritore. In maart 2022 verscheen ‘Down Home Blues Revue’ van Bob Corritore & Friends. In september verscheen het derde album van Bob dat jaar. Hij maakte het weer met een groot aantal vrienden. Het kreeg als titel ‘You Schoked Me’ en bevat zestien songs, die tussen 2018 en 2022 opgenomen zijn tijdens een twaalftal sessies in de Tempest Studios in Tempe, Arizona. Op 26 mei 2023 bracht Bob Corritore en zijn vrienden ‘High Rise Blues’ uit en vier maanden later is hij daar al opnieuw met ‘Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me’. Er staan zestien songs op het album en deze keer zijn de vrienden oa John Primer, Bobby Rush, Johnny Rawls, Oscar Wilson, Sugaray Rayford, Lurrie Bell, Bob Margolin, Anthony Geraci, Johnny Burgin, Francine Reed, Doug James, Wes Starr om er maar een paar te noemen.
Het album begint met de A.C. Reed cover ‘This Little Voice’, een Chicago Blues cover waarvoor Corritore met John Primer, één van zijn beste muzikale vrienden uitnodigt op gitaar en zang. Gitarist John Primer, pianist Anthony Geraci en mondharmonicaspeler Bob Corritore kleuren het nummer met knappe solo’s. Drummer Wes Starr en bassist Bob Stroger zorgen voor een heel aantrekkelijke groove in het door de Queen of Detroit blues, Thornetta Davis gezongen ‘I Need A Whole Of Lovin”. Johnny Burgin en David Keyes zorgen voor het uitstekende solowerk op de gitaar en piano. Het tempo vertraagt voor de soulvolle ballade ‘Midnight Love’, een nummer van Johnny Rawls, die het nummer ook zingt. Johnny heeft een warme soulvolle stem en brengt het nummer met veel gevoel. She Marshall draagt het nummer met zijn warme orgelklanken. Mondharmonicaspeler Bob Corritore en saxofonist Doug James zijn de instrumentale smaakmakers. Met de titeltrack ‘Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me’ neemt Bob Corritore ons bijna zeventig jaar terug in de tijd. Baby Boy Warren nam het nummer voor het eerst op in 1954. Het is een Chicago blues song die hier Oscar Wilson wordt gezongen. Ben Levin is de man achter de piano en Billy Flynn is de gitarist van dienst. De eerste single die uit het album werd getrokken is ‘I’m Good As Gone’, een nummer van Bobby Rush. Bobby zingt zelf dit nummer over een geliefde die zijn hart brak. Dexter Allen op gitaar en Chester Thompson op orgel zorgen voor het instrumentale genot. Bob Corritore en niet Bobby Rush neemt het mondharmonicawerk voor zijn rekening.
In het door Deadric Malone geschreven ‘Stranded’ horen we een grootse Corritore en Anthony Geraci op de mondharmonica en de piano. Carl Weathersby neemt niet alleen de zang voor zijn rekening, maar ook de pittige gitaarsolo. Thornette Davis is de zangeres in de Alberta Adams cover ‘Remember Me’. In dit nummer vraagt de zangeres aan haar geliefde om haar niet te vergeten wanneer ze six feet onder de koude grond begraven ligt. David Keyes begeleidt haar op de piano en de knappe solo’s komen van mondharmonicaspeler Bob Corritore en gitarist Johnny Burgin. De Willie Dixon cover ‘I Want To Be Love’, met zangeres Tia Caroll, is één van de bekendste nummers op dit album. Eugene ‘Hideway’ Bridges neemt de zang en de gitaar voor zijn rekening in het aantrekkelijk bluesnummer ‘If You Don’t Want to Love Me’. Het is een eigen nummer van Bridges, wiens soulvolle stem wat gelijkenissen vertoont met de stem van Sam Cooke. Showbeest Sugaray Rayford is ook aanwezig op dit album met het lekker groovende en swampy ‘Going Fishin”. Met gitaristen Kid Ramos en Johnny Mann komt er heel wat gitaarwerk aan in dit nummer. Ook Corritore pakt uit met een knappe solo op zijn kleine blaasinstrument. De Jimmy Rogers cover ‘Act Like You Love Le’ wordt op een schitterende wijze gebracht door Lurie Bell. Instrumentaal is het genieten van het fijne gitaarwerk van Bob Margolin en het gruizige mondharmonicawerk van Corritore. In de vroege jaren zestig had Doris Troy een hit met ‘Draw Me Closer’, nu doet Francine Reed het nummer heropleven met haar interpretatie van het nummer.
Jimi ‘Primetime’ Smith speelt gitaar op dertien nummers op dit album. Hij brengt de nodige dosis rock’n roll met zijn eigen geschreven ‘Tough Enough’, het enige nummer dat hij zingt op dit album. Carl Weathersby zingt en speelt gitaar op de Sonny Boy Williamson klassieker ‘I Don’t Know’. Instrumentaal is het genieten van het uitstekende mondharmonica en pianowerk van Corritore en Anthony Geraci. Diunna Greenleaf brengt met haar mooie krachtige stem de BB King cover ‘Help The Poor’. Fred Kaplan is het hele nummer uitdrukkelijk aanwezig op het orgel en de piano. Saxofonist Doug James en trompettist Jeff Doc Chandonhous helpen op een grootse wijze de sound bepalen. Het album wordt afgesloten met de William Crawford cover ‘Let Me Find Out Your Name’. Het wordt hier gezongen door Willie Buck, met Billy Flynn op gitaar en Ben Levin op piano. Bob Corritore is op elke song uitstekend en uitdrukkelijk aanwezig en etaleert het ganse album zijn grote klasse als mondharmonicaspeler. Na ‘You Schocked Me’ en ‘High Rise Blues’ is ‘Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me’ al het derde album dat Bob Corritore dit jaar uitbracht in de reeks Bob Corritore & Friends en ook deze keer is Bob er in geslaagd om met zijn talrijke vrienden om een uitstekend bluesalbum af te leveren. (8/10)
– Walter Vanheuckelom
Blues Bytes (September 2023)
Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me, Bob Corritore’s latest collection of songs featuring the harp master performing with some of the blues’ top talent, is not one of his wonderful “From The Vault” series, but the 16 tunes were recorded between 2019 and 2023, so it’s actually a seamless fit with that series because the premise is the same, albeit with a few younger stars mixed in.
Corritore is joined by an awesome list of vocalists, including Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Jimi “Primetime” Smith, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridge, Francine Reed, Tia Carroll, Oscar Wilson, Diunna Greenleaf, Willie Buck, Sugaray Rayford, and Lurrie Bell. In addition, there’s a huge list of musicians providing support on these excellent tracks.
Primer opens the set with A.C. Reed’s “This Little Voice,” and, as always, he and Corritore make a tremendous team, . Ms. Davis shines on a pair of tracks, her own “I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin’,” an irresistible shuffle, and a memorable take of Alberta Adams’ “Remember Me,” both tracks featuring Corritore’s harp with “Primetime” Smith and Johnny Burgin on guitars and Dave Keyes on piano. Rawls turns in a soulful vocal on his original blues ballad “Midnight Love,” while Cash Box Kings vocalist Wilson ably handles the title track penned by Baby Boy Warren.
Bobby Rush teams with Corritore and guitarist Dexter Allen on the funky “I’m Good As Gone,” and Weathersby makes the first of two appearances, with vocals and guitar, on a rugged read of the Junior Parker hit “Stranded” (the second tune later in the set is a nice take on Sonny Boy Williamson II’s “I Don’t Know”).
Tia Carroll tackles Muddy Waters’ (via Willie Dixon) “I Want To Be Loved,” and blues and soul standout Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges reprises his own “If You Don’t Want To Love Me.” Rayford has a blast on the amusing “Goin’ Fishin’,” with six-stringed support from Kid Ramos and Johnny Main and Corritore’s harp.
Lurrie Bell’s slow burning version of Jimmy Rogers’ “Act Like You Love Me,” really sizzles thanks to Bell’s gritty vocal and his and Bob Margolin’s superb guitar work, and Francine Reed delivers a soulful interpretation of Doris Troy’s “Draw Me Closer,” with tasteful harp from Corritore and guitar from Smith and Ramos. Smith gets to take the mic for the rollicking “Tough Enough,” a 1962 written by Leroy “Sugar” Bonner for his pre-Ohio Players group The Bees.
The album wraps up with Diunna Greenleaf’s smoky cover of “Help The Poor” and Willie Buck’s closer, the slow blues “Let Me Find Out Your Name,” backed by Smith and Billy Flynn on guitar.
These sets always serve as a showcase for Corritore’s outstanding musicianship, but it also offers listeners a great assortment of blues talent, both past and present, at their very best. Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me is an excellent display of some of the current blues scene’s biggest stars and deserves a spot in any blues fan’s collection.
– Graham Clarke
Grateful Web (October 8, 2023)
From the Vizztone Label group – Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me is Bob Corritore’s latest masterpiece collection of newly recorded songs featuring a spectacular offering of today’s top blues artists. Bob’s brilliant harmonica work is the connecting thread, effortlessly tying together a great variety of blues styles and always serving the song. This album differs from the “Vaults Series” albums in that these are all freshly recorded tracks and it reflects the best aspects of the blues world that we live in right now. Guest vocalists include Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Francine Reed, Oscar Wilson, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Tia Carroll, Diunna Greenleaf, Willie Buck, Jimi Primetime Smith, Sugaray Rayford, and Lurrie Bell.
In addition to the vocalists, this album features some of today’s best blues instrumentalists, including Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin, Johnny Burgin, Kid Ramos, Billy Flynn, Bill Stuve, Fred Kaplan, Dave Keyes, Doug James, Johnny Main, Johny Rapp, Yahni Riley, Kedar Roy, Troy Sandow, Mike King, Brian Fahey, June Core, Steven Hodges, Wes Starr and more!
And of course it’s the Bob Corritore production touch that seems to bring out different and extra cool aspects of each artist performance. Bob Corritore seems to keep upping his game with presentations of great vocalists, musicians, songs and vibes. Listening to this album is like going to the best possible blues festival filled with one heartfelt performance after another. Please join Bob Corritore in his blues journey and enjoy his latest and greatest offerings!
When the 25-year-old Bob Coritore moved from Chicago to Phoenix Arizona in 1981, he never expected to be creating a Southwestern Mecca for the Blues — it just worked out that way. Bob was soon joined by old friend Louisiana Red, and before long they were playing all over town. Drummer Chico Chism soon followed. Bob started doing a weekly blues radio show, and in 1991 he opened the now legendary blues club the Rhythm Room. He would book his favorite down-home blues artists at the Rhythm Room, and while these artists were in town he would offer a recording session to accompany the booking. The end results were numerous amazing performances captured for posterity and finally available to the public for the first time via Bob’s “From The Vaults” Series.
Bob continues to produce recordings with today’s top blues artists, pairing up in albums featuring Bob with contemporary artists like John Primer, Bob Margolin, and Jimi “Primetime” Smith, along with his star studded “Bob Corritore & Friends” albums.
Blues Roadhouse (October 28, 2023)
If you, like me, really enjoy great blues music that sounds just like — well, great blues music — then Bob Corritore’s latest release will be great blues music to your ears.
Corritore is a master at pulling together vintage music on his finely executed series “From the Vaults,” which digs deep into the blues past from a diverse group of artists.
This time, however, the treats are freshly cooked. And do they ever cook. For his latest and fourth release of 2023, the joyously tough “Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me,” Corritore shifts his focus to the present with 16 newly recorded tracks from a sparkling lineup of current blues artists.
Guest artists who add their powerful voices in this diverse session include ageless wonder Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Francine Reed, Oscar Wilson, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Tia Carroll, Diunna Greenleaf, Willie Buck, Jimi Primetime Smith, Sugaray Rayford, and Lurrie Bell.
The one artist who shines throughout is Corritore, whose solid harp work weaves knowingly on every song, creating sharp down-home solos, or floating eloquently in support of his bandmates and vocalists. That’s not to neglect the band here; the music, especially the guitar work. Every note is consistently razor sharp blues.
The album opens with the deep blues of John Primer on the gritty “This Little Voice,” with Corritore soaring on harp. This track alone is worth the price of admission; it’s a testimony to the heat and drive of traditional blues, complete with a razor-sharp guitar solo midway. Primer is a longtime Corritore partner and together they make real-deal blues more than just a memory.
That’s followed by the rough and tumble “I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin’,” featuring the big voice of Thornetta Davis proclaiming her lovin’ needs. Then Johnny Rawls turns the album soulward with his magical pipes on the searing “Midnight Love.”
Oscar Wilson follows on the title track, his vocals wrapped in Corritore harp for another tough outing. (I know I sometimes overuse words like rough and tough, but that’s how this music rolls. They’re the backbone of this enthusiastic blues. Just listen to Jimi Primetime Smith on the track “Tough Enough.”)
Bobby Rush talks his way into the next cut, “I’m As Good As Gone,” then creates Bobby Rush magic with his still-potent vocals amid Corritore’s passionate harp moans. Carl Weathersby shuffles along next with the hard-driving “Stranded.”
The album continues mining its deep blues vein for ten more delicious cuts. It’s hard to omit the fine remaining musical contributions, but I’ll leave them to you to listen and enjoy. They’re well worth your effort. This is as close to contemporary blues perfection as you would want. The session is immaculately produced, excitingly performed and thoroughly satisfying.
I don’t know who to credit for the clever cover art (and that of many previous albums), but it deserves to be mentioned. It’s a theme that Corritore has carried though many releases, and adds a distinctive touch that illustrates the musical attitude inside.
Yes, in case you haven’t noticed, I love this album. It’s pure blues joy.
If it wasn’t for this Bad Luck, we wouldn’t have no luck at all.
– Jim White
Blues Music Magazine (October 2023)
Bob Corritore has a lot of friends. Seems like he can round up enough of ’em to put out an album about every two weeks. For his latest, Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me, Corritore has enlisted a lineup of gette, stellar musical friends with enough drawing power to fill a stadium. Guest instrumentalists and vocalists including Bobby Rush, Lure Bell, Carl Weathersby, Kid Ramos, Francine Reed, Diunna Greenleaf, Billy Flynn, Johnny Rawls, Bob Margolin, Wes Starr, and Sugaray Rayford demonstrate their prowess on a slam bang 16 track collection of hard core blues from sessions Corritore recorded from 2019-2023. This thing starts out with a wallop and keeps ringing the bell all the way through. Corritore blasts away like James Cotton at full throttle on “This Little Voice,” reuniting with frequent partner guitarist/ vocalist John Primer (Willie Dixon, Magic Slim, Muddy Waters) slinging a bucket load of Magic Slim licks around while Muddying up the joint with his tonsils. Thornetta Davis displays her Shemekia Copeland sisterhood sound-a-like blast furnace vocal bombast on “I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin'” and “Remember Me.” Everywhere you turn in this virtual juke joint, somebody’s trying to kick the door down or bust out a few windows. “Tough Enough” is not the tune The Fabulous Thunderbirds shuffled away on, but a fast paced rocker helmed by Jim “Prime Time” Smith with echoes of Wilbert Harrison on his ’62 hit “Let’s Work Together,” with Corritore’s harp squealing like a man caught in a bear trap. Bobby Rush brings things down to a slow boil on “I’m Good As Gone.” Chester Thompson’s organ burbling churchily behind Rush’s crusty rendering of a lover brush-off. Francine Reed took some time off from her vocal duties with Lyle Lovett’s Big Band to take the lead on the gospel-tinged “Draw Me Closer,” gliding across the aisle and out the door to lay down some mellow, healing soul. Chicago-based guitarist/vocalist Carl Weathersby shows off some of the Albert King licks in his repertoire, knocking out a wicked low-down shuffle on “Stranded” with Corritore howling mournfully at his heels. Even though his output is prodigious, Corritore keeps unearthing fresh treasures from his vaults that stand the test of time, keeping the blues tradition alive with respect and dedication.
– Grant Britt
BSMF (Japan) (October 2023)
シカゴ・スタイルのハーモニカ・ブルースを飽くなき探求心で極めてきたボブ・コリトーの最新・新録アルバム（2019-2023年録音）！今まで通りヴォーカルをとらない彼のアルバムには錚々たるブルース・マン＆ウーマンが多数参加！ルーリー・ベル、カール・ウェザースビーを初め、ボビー・ラッシュ、ジョン・プライマー、ウィリー・バック、オスカー・ウィルソン、ジミ・プライムタイム・スミス、シュガーレイ・レイフォード、ソーネッタ・デイヴィスなどなど・・・名前を聞いただけで垂涎物のリアル・ブルースのオンパレードだ！
Cultura Blues (November 1, 2023)
Sin duda alguna, este 2023 ha sido un año excepcional y muy productivo para Bob Corritore. Ha hecho de todo, desde viajar por el mundo y dirigir su establecimiento ‘Rhythm Room’ en Phoenix, postear fotografías excepcionales a diario en redes sociales, hasta producir un programa de radio semanal y mucho más. Todo forma parte de su búsqueda por mantener vivo el espíritu del blues tradicional en los corazones y las mentes de las personas.
Cualquiera con esta actividades se mantendría plenamente ocupado y difícilmente se daría tiempo para más, pero para Corritore no es el caso, ha publicado a la fecha 4 CD en este año: The World in a Jug, Women in Blues Showcase, High-Rise Blues y del que hablaremos en este artículo: Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me. Este nuevo material representa una pequeña derivación de su serie “From the Vaults”, ya que presenta 16 temas recién grabados por una lista diversa de artistas de blues contemporáneos. Corritore dice que su objetivo es publicar un álbum con material nuevo cada año para “reflejar el aquí y el ahora” y mostrar lo mejor y más brillante de la escena del blues actual.
Lista de canciones: 01. This Little Voice (John Primer); 02. I Need a Whole Lotta Lovin (Thornetta Davis); 03. Midnight Love (Johnny Rawls); 04. Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me (Oscar Wilson); 05. I’m Good as Gone (Bobby Rush); 06. Stranded (Carl Weathersby); 07. Remember Me (Thornetta Davis); 08. I Want to Be Loved (Tia Carrol); 09. If You Don’t Want to Love Me (Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges); 10. Goin’ Fishin’ (Sugaray Rayford); 11. Act Like You Love Me (Lurrie Bell); 12. Draw Me Closer (Francine Reed); 13. Tough Enough (Jimi “Primetime” Smith); 14. I Don’t Know (Carl Weathersby); 15. Help the Poor (Diunna Greenleaf); 16. Let Me Find Out Your Name (Willie Buck).
El club de blues ‘Rhythm Room’ de Corritore ha servido como un oasis en el desierto para los músicos y fanáticos del blues desde su inauguración en 1991. Corritore ha aprovechado sabiamente estas escalas de los diferentes músicos en sesiones de estudio para capturar su magia para la posteridad. En este disco, Bob ofrece grabaciones de muchos de ellos. La primera pista presenta a John Primer en This Little Voice. Primer colabora con Corritore desde 2012 y su vínculo se ha fortalecido a lo largo de los años. Dice Corritore “… me siento un privilegiado de tocar con alguien de la talla de John. Él saca a relucir el blues de Chicago en mí. Él me devuelve a mis raíces”.
Corritore también elogió a Thornetta Davis, quien aparece en la segunda y en la séptima pieza el disco, en I Need a Whole Lot of Loving y en Remember Me . Dijo que “… fue un placer trabajar con la reina del blues de Detroit“. Y en efecto, es un placer disfrutar la voz picante y potente de Davis en este par de buenos números. En relación a Midnight Love con Johnny Rawls, comentó “… Rawls interpreta un soul realmente tradicional, que me lleva a lugares a los que nunca he ido“. Corritore añadió que “… la música soul y la armónica realmente pueden trabajar juntas. Salí de mi zona de confort, pero funciona bien. Johnny es un gran compositor”.
El tema principal que da título al material Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me, está a cargo del brillante vocalista Oscar Wilson, de él expresó “Oscar tiene una voz hermosa y rica, y es un verdadero bluesman. Tiene mucho que decir y la pasamos bien”. En I’m Good as Gone, con el artista de Mississippi Bobby Rush, Corritore se adaptó de gran forma, mencionó de una inquietud en esta pista ya que Rush es al igual un gran armonicista, sin embargo el resultado fue sensacional. Con respecto al veterano guitarrista y cantante, Carl Weathersby, Corritore elogió su trabajo vocal y su “energía en el estudio” mientras Weathersby colabora en un par de temas fantásticos: Stranded y I Don’t Know.
Tia Carroll del Área de la Bahía interpreta con gran calidad la divertida tonada I Want to Be Loved. Corritore también elogió a Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges y a Lurrie Bell, quienes aparecen en If You Don’t Want to Love Me, y en Act Like You Love Me”, respectivamente. Dijo que la voz de Bridges “… es muy parecida a la de Sam Cooke“. Y de Bell expresó; “… es un gran maestro del verdadero blues“. Texas también está a bordo en el proyecto con excelentes actuaciones de Sugar Ray Rayford en Goin’ Fishin’; y Diunna Greenleaf con la estupenda, Help the Poor. La cantante de Illinois, Francine Reed colabora con un buen tema, Draw Me Closer.
Jimi “Primetime” Smith es otro de los amigos y colaboradores frecuentes de Corritore. Smith brilla en la canción Tough Enough, y realiza un maravilloso trabajo de guitarra en muchas otras pistas. Corritore y compañía tuvieron otra sesión espectacular con la leyenda de Houston, Mississippi: Willie Buck. Bob recordó que “el gran narrador” Buck sorprendió al equipo con una canción original, que fue Let Me Find Out Your Name. Esta pista final del disco también presenta un trabajo de guitarra slide incréible de Billy Flynn. Corritore tiene una asociación desde hace mucho tiempo con Buck, quien fue el primer verdadero director de banda de blues que lo contrató.
Como hemos visto ampliamente la información de este disco, con una lista repleta de estrellas de los mejores talentos de la actualidad, considero que es imprescindible para una colección de música de blues. Corritore lo resumió cuando dijo: “hay algo para todos en este disco” y captura “todos los momentos divertidos que he tenido en el estudio“.
Calificación: 9.5 Excelente
– José Luis García Fernández
The Aquarian (November 15, 2023)
The latest installment from Bob Corritore & Friends is Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me (VizzTone Label Group). These are new tracks from the Arizona harmonica master with a glittering array of blues heavies shouldering the load. Bobby Rush is “As Good As It Gets.” From Prime Time Smith and Hideaway Bridges to Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, Kid Ramos and Ben Levin, this sounds like a real Saturday Night Fish Fry. Don’t bother knockin’, just come on in.
– Mike Greenblatt
Sound Guardian (Croatia) (November 25, 2023)
Još malo pa će proći i mjesec dana od izlaska albuma “Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me” nadasve osebujnog van serijskog glazbenik, ali i neiscrpnog promotra i čuvara američke blues baštine, da on je Bob Corritore.
“Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me” 29. rujna objavila je VizzTone Label Group uz promociju BratGirlmedia i zahvaljujući njima svi imamo priliku uživati u 16 pomno odabranih skladbi za ovaj album. I da, pred nama su gotovo pune 72′ materijala od kojih će se, svima nama koji volimo blues, doslovno zavrtjeti u glavi. I ovaj nadahnuti album tradicionalnog blues ozračja zajednički su potpisali Bob Corritore And Friends.
Ova najnovija kolekcija Boba Corritorea novo snimljenih pjesama sadrži doista spektakularnu ponudu vrhunskih blues umjetnika današnjice.
Bobov briljantan rad na harmonici povezujuća je nit albuma, koja bez napora povezuje veliku raznolikost blues stilova i uvijek zapravo samosluži pjesmi. Bitno je istaknuti da se ovaj album razlikuje od Corritoreovih albuma “Vaults Series” po tome što su sve do jedne ovo novo snimljene pjesme i po svemu tome ovaj sadržaj odražava najbolje aspekte blues svijeta u kojem trenutno živimo. A ti Bobovi prijatelji su vrlo eksponirani vokalisti, kao što su: Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Francine Reed, Oscar Wilson, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Tia Carroll, Diunna Greenleaf, Willie Buck, Jimi Primetime Smith, Sugaray Rayford i Lurrie Bell. Uz vokale, na ovom albumu su neki od najboljih blues instrumentalista današnjice, uključujući: Boba Margolina, Boba Strogera, Anthonyja Geracija, Bena Levina, Johnnyja Burgina, Kida Ramosa, Billyja Flynna, Billa Stuvea, Freda Kaplana, Davea Keyesa, Douga Jamesa, Johnny Maina, Johny Rappa, Yahni Rileyja, Kedar Roya, Troy Sandowa, Mike Kinga, Brian Faheyja, June Core, Steven Hodgesa, Wes Starra i drugih!
Ovi iskusni profesionalci – istinske legende bluesa, pružaju svima nama opuštajuće, apsolutno prirodne i spontane izvedbe u studiju, kao da ste na koncertu. Naravno, ovi glazbenici nemaju nikakvih problema sa svojom prezentacijom bilo u studiju bilo na koncertu.
I zato, dragi moji, pred svima nama je apsolutno ‘tvrdi’ i nadasve briljantni album tradicionalnog bluesa, osebujnog, duboko tradicionalistički određenog svirača usne harmonike, naprosto briljantnog Bob Corritorea.
Ovaj je album je zapravo nadahnuta zbirka pjesama snimljenih u studijima i, naravno, radi se o do sada neobjavljenim snimkama i materijalima,gdje se Bob pojavljuje kao harpista s brojnim pjevačima, gitaristima i ritam sekcijama. Nema nikakve dvojbe, radi se o vrlo zanimljivim snimkama!!!
Uzajamno uvažavanje i poštovanje duboko je odredilo ovaj odnos između glazbenika. Zašto? Razlog je čisto ljudski, pristojnost i poštovanje koje je apsolutno zdrava podloga za svaku suradnju, ako toga nema, ako to nije prisutno, onda zapravo sve pada u vodu i nema nikakvog smisla. I stoga ova sjajna ekipa glazbenika funkcionira upravo na tim osnovama i to je dodatni bonus za ovaj glazbeni uradak.
Pred nama je album od kojeg će nam krv brže kolati, od kojeg će nam nutrinu bića grijati neka posebna toplina, a kostima strujiti ona poznata hladnoća, koja izaziva sveopću ugodu. Blues znalci jako dobro znaju o čemu pišem jer to nam se često događa. Ovakve reakcije ne može izazvati nešto što nije dobro, što nema “ono nešto”. Duboko u sebi nosim te neke znakovite vibracije, osjećaj da bi tako trebao zvučati pravi blues album.
Ne znam već koliko godina pratim rad Boba Corritorea i samo sam čekao kada će sve ovo oko njega eskalirati i pretvoriti se u ovako nešto! Kao i mnogi prije njega, Bob je dosta dugo čekao na svoju afirmaciju, a sada nakon što već puno desetljeće važi za itekako uvažavanog glazbenika, tako da je ta afirmacija samo došla kao potvrda kvalitete i nadahnuća ovog odličnog glazbenika. A Bob nije samo svirač usnjaka, Bob ima svoj klub, on je radio DJ i glazbeni producent. No, ako sve stavimo na stranu, ostaje njegova svirka usnjaka. Taj njegov prezentacijski stil u sebi snažno objedinjuje jedinstvene glazbene bravure Little Waltera, Junior Wellsa i James Cottona. Naravno, velika stvar samog Boba je upravo taj njegov vlastiti i originalni stil sviranja usnjaka. Svakako da je baš time Corritore stekao globanu afirmaciju. To je doista veliki uspjeh kojeg se treba respektirati i odati mu veliko priznanje. S druge pak strane ovakav sudar ili sraz generacija glazbenika nevjerojatno oslikava svu veličinu, snagu i raskoš prezentacijske forme samih glazbenika, ali i ovog zaista, jedinstvenog albuma.
‘Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me” svojim sadržajem donosi nam istinski “full utovar” tradicionalnog bluesa.
Ovih 16 pjesama doslovno će vas pomesti svojom ekspresijom, i da, sada i ovdje trebao bih istaknuti neke pjesme. Ma, nema šanse! Album se sluša u cijelosti i te gotovo 72′ proći će k’o tren i što sad? Ništa, “PONOVI” sve od početka i tako krug se stalno otvara i zatvara. Želim biti dio tog kruga. Želim da me “poklopi” taj veliki utovar bluesa iz kojeg se jednostavno neću moći iskobeljati, a iskreno, to i ne želim!
Preporuka
Svakodnevno u mojim rukama nalazi se dosta materijala, albuma, ali samo neki uvijek zasjednu na ono posebno mjesto u mom biću. E upravo tu se smjestio “Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me”, izuzetnih glazbenika Bob Corritorea And Friends.
Yours bluesy,
Mladen Loncar – Mike
Jazz ‘N’ More (Switzerland) (November 2023)
Brachten die beiden letzten Alben von Bob Corri- tore ältere Aufnahmen aus seinem schier uner- schöpflichen Archiv, so taucht auf ”Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me” eine stolze Menge an Top Names der aktuellen Bluesszene auf. Das Ver- bindungsglied, welches die ganze Produktion zu- sammenhält, ist selbstverständlich Bobs Spiel auf der Bluesharp, welches wie ein guter Wein altert – nie aufdringlich, stets geschmackvoll, durchs Band versiert und Song-dienlich. Gleich 16 Songs gibt es fürs gute Geld und diese de- cken stilistisch die ganze Breite des zeitgenös- sischen, elektrischen Blues ab. Chicago Blues, Texas Shuffles, soulige Balladen, Slow Blues, Mississippi – you name it! Schwierig, aus der hochstehenden Fülle an Gebotenem die High- lights herauszupicken. Unbedingt zu erwähnen sind aber: das atmosphärisch-emotionale ”Mid- night Love” des unverwüstlichen Johnny Rawls, der pure Chicago-Approach von John Primer mit dem Schmankerl ”This Little Voice” von A.C. Reed, Mr. Funkblues Bobby Rush himself mit ”I’m Good As Gone” und der melodiöse Swamp Blues ”If You Don’t Want to Love Me” featuring Eugene ”Hideaway” Bridges.
Blues In The South (Australia) (November 2023)
Bob is back with a new album but unlike his multiple recent releases these performances are not from his vaults but are new recordings featuring both a regiment of guest vocalists to front the songs – Bobby Rush, Sugaray Rayford, John Primer, Eugene Hideaway Bridges etc. etc. – as well as a multitude of backing musicians and not forgetting Bob’s own harp playing.
John Primer kicks us off with A.C. Reed’s ‘This Little Voice’, then Thornetta Davis rocks out on ‘A Whole Lotta Lovin” before Bobby Rush funks things up with ‘I’m Good as Gone’. ‘Stranded’ is a down and dirty blues with Carl Weathersby on vocals and guitar, Anthony Geraci on piano and Bob on particularly distorted harp.
Tia Carrol gives us Willie Dixon’s ‘I Want To Be Loved’ with Sid Morris on piano, while Eugene”Hideaway” Bridges is on guitar and vocals on a gorgeous country-sounding ‘If You Don’t Want to Love Me’ and Sugaray Rayford announces that he’s ‘Goin’ Fishin” – “I don’t need no rod and reel, my newly printed dollar bills and my big Lincoln seals the deal” – yes we can see what kind of fishing you’re doing Mr. Rayford! Lure Bell gives us the slow blues ‘Act Like You Love Me’ and ‘Draw Me Closer’ is a melodic soul ballad sung by Francine Reed, while “Tough Enough’ has Jimi ‘Primetime’ Smith on vocals and guitar Jimi also plays guitar on thirteen of the tracks here). ‘Help the Poor is the BB King song sung here by Diunna Greenleaf with a brass section of Doug James (sax) and Jeff “Doc” Chandonhouse (trumpet) and Willie Buck finishes off the album with ‘Let Me Find Out Your Name’ an Elmore James-style slow blues with Bob on chromatic, Billy Flynn on guitar and Ben Levin on piano. As usual these are great traditional-sounding Chicago blues recorded in Arizona and produced by Bob with his excellent harp playing gracing every track.
– Graham Harrison
Chicago Blues Guide #2 (November 1, 2023)
The music keeps flowing from Bob Corritore’s vault at The Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Ariz., thus providing a tidal wave of delight for fans of old-school blues in recent years; the hits keep coming with this 16-track collection. And as usual, Bob’s superb harp work serves as a supporting force behind several of the top names in the business.
The roster runs deep on this one with appearances from Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Francine Reed, Tia Carroll, Oscar Wilson, Diunna Greenleaf, Jimi “Primetime” Smith, Willie Buck, Sugaray Rayford and Lurrie Bell – all of whom are accompanied by all-star backing in never-before-released performances.
The hits run deep here. Give a gander to “This Little Voice,” “Midnight Love,” “Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me,” “I’m as Good as Gone,” “Stranded,” “You Don’t Want to Love Me,” “Draw Me Closer,” “Tough Enough,” “I Don’t Know,” “Help the Poor” and “Let Me Find Out Your Name.”
– Marty Gunther
Soul Bag (France) (Fall 2023)
À peine le temps de reprendre notre souffle que Bob Corritore sort un nouveau CD thématique et attractif grâce aux choix des inter-prêtes, des mélodies et à sa pochette distinctive dessinée façon comics par Vince Ray. La production pléthorique du résident de Phoenix constitue un challenge pour le chroniqueur: qu’écrire qui n’ait été dit, d’autant plus que la qualité est constante, voire comme ici, supérieure? Si quelques vigoureux “tradis” sont encore à l’af. fiche (John Primer, Lurrie Bell, Oscar Wilson, Jimi “Primetime” Smith ou Willie Buck) d’autres, plus nuancés soul, rafraîchissent le programme: Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Euge-ne “Hideway” Bridges et Bobby Rush.
Côté blueswomen, comptons sur le girl power des Thornetta Davis, Tia Carroll, Diunna Greenleaf et Francine Reed pour leur tenir tête. Quant au maître harmoniciste, chaque titre lui permet de briller dans des registres différents, de la raucité walterienne à la fluidité d’un Toots Thielemans.
– André Hobus
ABS Magazine (France) (December 1, 2023)
Après une somptueuse série d’albums dans lesquels Bob Corritore puisait allègrement dans ses archives pour nous offrir de formidables pépites inédites, place aujourd’hui à des enregistrements nettement plus récents. Les seize titres proposés sur cette nouvelle compilation ont été enregistrés entre 2019 et 2023, avec une fois encore une étincelante (le mot est faible) distribution. Il n’y a que le boss du club le Rhythm Room à Phoenix qui puisse nous offrir un tel plateau, jugez plutôt : Thornetta Davis, Diunna Greenleaf, Francine, Tia Carroll Reed, Bobby Rush, Johnny Rawls, John Primer, Bob Margolin, Carl Weathersby, Willie Buck, Eugene “Hideway” Bridges, Bob Stroger, Lurrie Bell, Sugaray Rayford, Jimi “Prime Time” Smith, Billy Flynn et Oscar Wilson sont entre autres les invités de l’harmoniciste. Bref, ce n’est plus un album, mais plutôt un véritable festival où les différents musiciens et chanteurs donnent véritablement à chaque titre le meilleur d’eux-mêmes. La grande qualité de Bob Corritore, c’est qu’à chaque nouvelle composition, il ne vole pas la vedette. Il s’applique, bien au contraire, avec ses interventions terriblement efficaces, à toujours mettre en lumière l’artiste invité, à l’image de I’m Good As Gone de Bobby Rush, ou encore le classique de Jimmy Rogers intitulé Act if You Love Me, interprété ici par Lurrie Bell. Si vous suivez (et vous avez raison !) fidèlement les différents cd déjà publiés ces derniers mois à une cadence infernale, il vous sera alors bien difficile de faire l’impasse sur cette nouvelle production qui réunit la crème du Blues. Une très belle réussite.
– Jean-Luc Vabres
Blues & Rhythm (U.K.) (December 2023 / January 2024)
JOHN PRIMER: This Little Voice; THORNETTA DAVIS: I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin/ Remember Me; JOHNNY RAWLS: Midnight Love; OSCAR WILSON: Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me; BOBBY RUSH: I’m Good As Gone; CARL WEATHERSBY: Stranded/ I Don’t Know; TIA CARROLL: I Want To Be Loved; EUGENE ‘HIDEAWAY’ BRIDGES: If You Don’t Want To Love Me; SUGARAY RAYFORD: Goin’ Fishing; LURRIE BELL: Act Like You Love Me; FRANCINE REED: Draw Me Closer; JIMI ‘PRIME TIME’ SMITH: Tough Enough; DIUNNA GREENLEAF: Help The Poor; WILLIE BUCK: Let Me Find Out Your Name
As the literature that accompanies this release states, it is unlike Corritore’s ‘From The Vaults’ series of albums as these are all newly recorded tracks from 2019 to 2023 and they reflect the diverse richness of today’s blues world.
Apart from the headline names, there is a rich pool of talent accompanying them including Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Billy Flynn, Ben Levin, Johnny Burgin, Fred Kaplan, Dexter Allen to name just a few. Of course, Bob Corritore features on harmonica in support throughout.
As you would expect, the John Primer and Lurrie Bell tracks are classic Chicago blues. Johnny Rawls takes you to soul heaven on his slow burn outing and Jimi ‘Prime Time’ Smith takes the rock & roll musical route. The ladies get a good look in throughout, with powerhouse performances from the underrated Thornetta Davis, a soulful outing from Francine Reed, a deep slow blues aided by a brass section from Diunna Greenleaf and a cracking stomping version of ‘I Want To Be Loved’ by Tia Carroll, all of them being in excellent voice.
Chicago-based singers Oscar Wilson and Willie Buck offer a romping track and a slow twelve bar respectively. Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges’ number has a hint of country. Good to hear from Carl Weathersby whose guitar playing sounds as good as it ever did. Lastly Bobby Rush gets all funky on his outing. Oodles of talent here that makes for very pleasurable listening and well done to all involved, especially Mr. Bob Corritore for making it happen.
– Mike Stephenson
Bluestown Music (Netherlands) (December 15, 2023)
Bob Corritore (27 september 1956, Chicago, Illinois) is een Amerikaans bluesharmonicaspeler, producer, radiopresentator en eigenaar van The Rhythm Room, een muziekcentrum in Phoenix, Arizona. Zijn liefde voor bluesmuziek begint als hij op 12-jarige leeftijd Muddy Waters op de radio hoort. Van zijn jongere broer krijgt hij kort daarna zijn eerste mondharmonica. Bob gaat bluesconcerten bijwonen en op Maxwell Street ziet hij de bekende bluesharmonicaspelers Big Walter Horton en Big John Wrencher optreden en komt hij ook in aanraking met Junior Wells. In 1981 verhuist hij naar Phoenix, Arizona waar hij optreedt met o.a. Louisiana Red. In 1984 begint hij met zijn blues radioshow en in 1991 opende The Rhythm Room, de bekende blues- en roots concertclub. Zijn debuutalbum ‘All-star Blues Sessions’ komt in 1999 uit. De afgelopen jaren heeft Bob Corritore diverse albums uitgebracht in de serie ‘From the Vaults’, een serie met historische opnamen van grote bluesartiesten.
In september jl. verscheen het album ‘Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me’. Op dit album staan nieuwe opnamen van Bob Corritore met een groot aantal vrienden van hem en de beste hedendaagse bluesartiesten in de VS.
Het album opent spetterend met A.C. Reed’s This Little Voice met John Primer zang en gitaar, Anthony Geraci op piano en de scheurende mondharp van Corritore. Thornetta Davis is de vocaliste op het lekker rockende met sprankelende pianoklanken van David Keys versierde I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin’. Intens is de zang van Johnny Rawls in de fraaie soulballad Midnight Love met Shea Marshall op orgel.
Oscar Wilson is de soulvolle zanger in het titelnummer Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me, met een gitaarsolo van Jimi ‘Primetime’ Smith en een vette mondharpsolo. Intens is de zang van good old Bobby Rush in I’m Good As Gone. In Stranded neemt Carl Weathersby zang en gitaar voor zijn rekening en is pianist Anthony Geraci weer te horen en verder weer een overvette mondharpsolo.
Smekend is de zang van Thornetta Davis in de ballad Remember Me met Johnny Burgin op gitaar en David Keys op piano. De zang van Tia Carroll is gloedvol in Willie Dixon’s I Want To Be Loved. Eugine ‘Hideaway’ Bridges maakt met zijn soepele zang en gitaar een feest van If You Don’t Want To Love Me. Sugaray Rayford zingt op Goin’ fishin’ met gruizig gitaarwerk van Kid Ramos en Johnny Mann en een huilende mondharp.
Zanger-gitarist Lurrie Bell is fraai in Act Like You Love Me van Jimmy Rogers. Francis Reed is vocaliste in het gospelachtige Draw Me Closer. Smith is de leadzanger op het rockende Tough Enough. Johnny Rapp speelt gitaar. Geraci en Weathersby zijn weer te horen in I Don’t Know van Sonny Boy Williamson. Uiteraard kan hier een vlammende mondharp niet ontbreken.
In het van BB King bekende Help The Poor is Diunna Greenleaf de ‘smekende’ zangeres. Doug James speelt saxofoon, Jeff ‘Doc’ Chandonhouse trompet en Fred Kaplan orgel en piano. Het album wordt in stijl afgesloten met de bijna 8 minuten lange slowblues Let Me Find Out Your Name met zang van Willie Buck, gitaarwerk van Billy Flyn en met Ben Levin op piano. En natuurlijk Bob Corritore op mondharp.
– Gerrit Schinkel
Blues Matters (U.K.) (December 2023)
Renowned harmonica master Bob Corritore has unveiled a new collection of sixteen freshly recorded songs, deviating from his usual From the Vaults series. This album features a diverse range of blues artists, blending Corritore’s harmonica skills seamlessly into various musical styles. The tracks boast collaborations with top blues musicians, including John Primer, Thornetta Davis, Johnny Rawls, Bobby Rush, Carl Weathersby, Tia Carroll, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Sugaray Rayford, Lurrie Bell, Francine Reed, Jimi “Primetime” Smith, Diunna Greenleaf, and Willie Buck. The album kicks off with John Primer’s energetic rendition of A.C. Reeds’ “This Little Voice,” followed by soulful performances like Thornetta Davis’s I Need a Whole Lotta Lovin’ and Bobby Rush’s heartbreak ballad I’m Good as Gone. Other highlights include Eugene Bridges’ smooth rhythm and blues track, If You Don’t Want to Love Me, Sugaray Rayford’s funky Goin’ Fishin’ has the right amount of blues infused double meanings to the lyrics, Diunna Greenleaf’s plea in Help the Poor is hypnotic and the vocal delivery stun-ning. Bob Corritore’s harmonica is complemented by stellar guitar work from artists like Johnny Burgin, Kid Ramos, and Billy Flynn. The rhythm section features skilled musicians such as Bob Stroger, Yahni Riley, and Troy Sandow on bass, along with drummers like Wes Starr and Stephen Hodges. The album showcases Cor-ritore’s exceptional production and harmonica art-istry, making it a standout addition to his impressive discography. Stylish, well-crafted songs a mixed bag of emotions and feelings and just quality of musicians, an excellent release.
– Colin Campbell
Blues Music Fan Radio (January 2024)
Bob Corritore is sly as a fox, when it comes to preserving the Chicago and Traditional Blues sound for years to come. Owner of the Phoenix venue “Corritore’s Rhythm Room”, Bob is in constant communication with some of the real heavy hitters in the Blues world. “Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me” is an amazing compilation of friends and talent, all showcasing their talents with Bob and his magic Harp. Not to simply drop names, but guest artists include Diunna Greenleaf, Sugarray Rayford, John Primer, Johnny Rawls, Lurrie Bell, Bobby Rush among others. Somebody Put Bad Luck on Me is an album of studio recorded tracks, and not to be confused with Bob’s “Vault Series” of recordings. This album is strong from start to finish and showcases many styles. Bob blends them all together with his amazing Harp play. (Number 11 in Top 20 releases of 2023)
– Jordan
Blues & Co. (France) (January 2024)
Je viens vous reparler de Bob Corritore, comme je l’ai déjà fait, car c’est un artiste que j’apprécie. On ne se refait pas ! Je rappelle rapi- dement qu’il est d’origine italienne, né à Chicago. Mais depuis 81 il s’est établi à Phoenix (Arizona); où, il a pris une place prépondérante en y ouvrant un Club où il joue et fait jouer d’autres artistes, en faisant de la radio et, surtout, en enregistrant à tour de bras et en produisant des tas d’albums. Comme ici, quelques mois seulement après la sor- tie du précédent ! il a, très classiquement, réuni des tas de « friends » avec qui il a enregistré en studio, entre 2019 et 2023. Ce ne sont donc pas de vieux enregistrements comme ceux que Bob sort sur sa série « From The Vault ». On sait que Bob ne chante pas, mais qu’il accompagne très finement tous ces ‘friends’. Il y en a une trentaine sur ce nouvel album; à l’écoute, on constate que ce nouvel album est vraiment bien fichu ! Une trentaine d’amis que je ne peux citer tous ici faute de place, mais qui sont des piliers du Blues ‘classique’ : John Primer, Bobby Rush, Eugene ‘Hideway’ Bridges, Sugaray Rayford, Lurrie Bell, Bob Margolin, Kid Ramos et je m’arrête là pour les hommes, etc…. Et pour les dames, on trouve Thornetta Davis, Tia Carrol, Francine Reed, Diunna Greenleaf, etc…. J’ai une vraie faiblesse pour les titres ‘féminins’ qui sont particulièrement bien réussis. Tous ces ‘friends’ nous les connaissons, ils et elles sont chanteurs, guitaristes et parfois les deux, sans compter les accompagnateurs à la batterie et à la basse. Pas moins de 16 titres sur cette galette, dont pas mal de compositions person- nelles des protagonistes, mais aussi quelques reprises de Willie Dixon et Sonny Boy Williamson. Tout ça tourne plus ou moins autour du Chicago blues et on va de morceaux au tempo bien rythmé comme le Stran- ded avec Carl Weatherby, au très chaloupé I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin avec Thornetta Davis, au funky I’m Good As One avec Bobby Rush, au lent et racinien Act Like You Love Me avec Lurrie Bell. Bref, on ne s’ennuie pas un instant tout au long de cet album, pour peu qu’on aime ce bon vieux Blues classique, mais si bien fait par tous ces orfèvres que Bob Corritore a réuni sous sa houlette…
– Jean Marc Prevot
Back To The Roots (Belgium) (January 2024)
Harmonicaspeler Bob Corritore is ook de eigenaar van The Rhythm Room, een ge-kende bluesclub in Phoenix, Arizona. Wan-neer artiesten daar komen optreden, maakt Bob er een erezaak van om wat stu-diotijd te reserveren en opnames te maken. De vriendenkring die Bob in vier decennia carrière heeft uitgebouwd, is zo uitgebreid dat hij ondertussen een massaal arsenaal aan opnames op het schap heeft liggen. Zeer regelmatig verschijnen die op een cd onder de noemer ‘Bob Corritore & Friends. En telkens is het frappant hoe ver scheiden en gevarieerd die cd’s zijn, terwijl de optelsom van alle opnames in de eind-mix steeds een coherent geheel is. Bob’s schitterende harmonicawerk vormt steeds de rode draad en de verbindende factor.
De verbazingwekkende lijst vocalisten op ‘Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me’ bevat Bobby Rush, Thornetta Davis, John Primer, Carl Weathersby, Johnny Rawls, Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges, Francine Reed, Tia Carroll, Oscar Wilson, Diunna Greenleaf, Jimi ‘Primetime’ Smith, Willie Buck, Suga-ray Rayford en Lurrie Bell. Alstublieft!
Onder de begeleiders treffen we vooraan-staande muzikanten zoals Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, Anthony Geraci, Ben Levin, Johnny Burgin, Kid Ramos, Billy Flynn, Bill Stuve, Fred Kaplan, Dave Keyes, Doug James, Johnny Main, Johny Rapp, Yahni Riley, Kedar Roy, Troy Sandow, Mike King, Brian Fahay, June Core, Steven Hodges en Wes Starr. U begrijpt vast wel dat dit keur-korps de garantie was voor de absolute kwaliteit van dit album. Telkens weer laat Bob Corritore de frontman of -vrouw schitteren. Nergens dringt hij zijn harmonica op. Integendeel. Bob stelt zich al-tijd weer ten dienste van, zowel in zijn muziek als persoonlijk.
– Franky Bruneel
Bob Corritore - Official Website 