Reviews from these publications are listed below in chronological order. Scroll to see all reviews.
American Blues Scene
Big City Blues
Blues Matters (U.K.)
Blues Roadhouse
Bluestown Music (Netherlands)
Bmans Blues Report
Chicago Blues Guide
Concert Monkey (Belgium)
Cultura Blues
The Groove / Crossroads Blues Society
Jefferson Magazine (Sweden)
La Hora Del Blues (Spain)
Living Blues
Paris Move (France)
The Rock Doctor
Sound Guardian (Croatia)
Zicazac (France)
American Blues Scene (December 1, 2023)
VizzTone is proud to announce the December 1 release of Phoenix Blues Rumble, Bob Corritore’s latest From The Vaults album culled from his vast archives,
Phoenix Blues Rumble is a showcase of the artists from Bob Corritore’s adopted hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. Recorded between 1987 and 2017, it’s a peek into a Southwest US community that has spawned a powerful blues scene.
Blues harp player Bob Corritore moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 1981, and it quickly became a blues hub. Bob played with local bluesmen Tommy Dukes, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Big Pete Pearson and Dino Spells, and persuaded his Chicago friend Chico Chism to move to town. Corritore started his long-running radio show, “Those Lowdown Blues” on KJZZ, in 1984; it’s about to celebrate its 49th Anniversary.
He opened the Rhythm Room music club and started bringing blues artists to Phoenix for performances and recording sessions. Those many sessions were to become the fertile ground for his “From the Vaults” album series. Before long Sugaray Rayford moved nearby. Behold the power of Phoenix Blues!
In case you missed it: The first single features Hattiesburg, MS native Tommy Dukes, who relocated to Arizona in the mid-1950s and has been a prominent blues force in the area ever since. Bob Corritore met Tommy the first week he arrived in Phoenix in 1981, and over the years they’ve maintained a great friendship and worked numerous shows together.
Tommy reactivates his childhood blues inspiration by playing in the Jimmy Reed style on his original composition, “Real Bad Day.” Tommy’s relaxed vocals and groovin’ guitar provide the foil for Corritore’s straight-ahead harmonica playing on this real deal blues.
Blues Roadhouse (December 5, 2023)
Bob Corritore, the master of blues harp and keeper of his blues-filled vault, is at it again.
He’s brought still more fine Chicago-style blues from his vaults for our listening pleasure. This time though, he’s focused on the massive blues talent from his adopted home of Phoenix, Ariz.
Corritore moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 1981, and began to make music with local bluesmen such as Tommy Dukes, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Big Pete Pearson and Dino Spells. He later persuaded Chico Chism to move from Chicago, and Sugaray Rayford eventually moved nearby.
Corritore opened the Rhythm Room club and started bringing blues artists to Phoenix for performances and recording sessions. Those sessions eventually provided the copious material for his “From the Vaults” album series.
“Rumble” is the fifth album in the “Vaults” series this year, and as its title suggests, it focuses on the blues talents of Phoenix area musicians, recorded between 1987 and 2017. Corritore tends to specialize in working in the traditional Chicago blues style, adding his sharp harp work to the mix.
“Rumble” is no different, as it opens with Chism’s rollicking “Big Fat Woman 480 LBs” with Corritore’s harp soaring over a steady rocking beat. “Come To Me Baby” is another tough blues featuring the rugged vocals of Gilliame. King Karl strolls along with old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll on “Walking In The Park,” with still more harp lines, then Karl returns with “Mathilda,” and piano reminiscent of Fats Domino, backed here by N’awlins-flavored harp.
Spells is next, checking in with a hard-driving tribute to the V8 Ford that takes on the road in his quest to find his “Jennie Bea.” George Bowman provides powerful vocals on the soulful “I Was A Fool.” Searing Corritore harp opens “Real Bad Day” by Dukes, offering a taste of Jimmy Reed-style blues with piercing guitar work. Next, Bowman returns with “Nine Times Out Of Ten,” another rough-and-tumble blues, again laced with fine harp solos.
Gilliame again brings his gritty vocals to “Leopard Speckled Baby,” wrapped inside harp with equal grit. Dave Riley rides out the “Laughing Blues” with an evil chuckle.
Rayford is up next, bringing his magnificent vocal chops to the seven-minute, gently swinging, light-hearted opus of a three-legged horse they call “The Glide” (“I saw him jump over the Grand Canyon and he didn’t miss a beat … jumped the Grand Canyon without a runnin start …” My favorite cut, this epic horse tale is worth the price of admission!
Pearson brings it on home, closing with his fierce vocal turn on “I’m Evil,” a wicked slow blues, scorched by malevolent Corritore harpwork, a powerful finale to this rough and tough album of traditional blues.
“Phoenix Blues Rumble” is yet another excellent session from the seemingly endless supply of fine recordings mined from Bob Corritore’s mother lode of blues. If you haven’t sampled this “Vaults” series, you don’t know what you’re missing. If you have, this is another blues gem that begs to be heard.
Sound Guardian (Croatia) (December 15, 2023)
Upravo prije 12 dana poznata izdavačka kuća Vizztone Label Group objavila je album “Phoenix Blues Rumble”, izvrsnog blues glazbenika, harpiste, Boba Corritorea. Ovaj nadahnuti album tradicionalnog blues ozračja zajednički su potpisali Bob Corritore And Friends, a sve je dio Bobove iz serije “From The Vaults”, iz koje svako malo čupa pojedine snimke i slaže albume koji uvijek upravo zbog tih Bobovih suradnji mnoge poklonike ostavljaju bez teksta.
Razdoblje cijele priče dolazi ili datira iz 1981. kada se Bob seli iz Chicaga u Phoenix, gdje je svirao s ondašnjim blueserima, kao što su: Tommy Dukes, Chief Schabuttiie Gilliame, Big Pete Pearson i Dino Spells. Od ove ekipe najviše sam slušao Big Pete Pearsona, a ono što je najvažnije je da se s svima Bob itekako dobro glazbeno posložio. Ono što izlazi iz svake pjesme je taj odlični blues štih, to ozračje u kome se svi mi koji volimo blues sjajno osjećamo.
Ovih 12 skladbi nudi nam nevjerojatni zvuk i atmosferu koju može samo blues stvoriti i to svojom jednostavnošću, prljavošću, prizemnošću i nevjerojatnom iskrenošću.
S druge pak strane Bob je u Phoenixu pokrenuo svoju dugotrajnu radio emisiju “Those Lowdown Blues” na KJZZ-u 1984. i koja će uskoro proslaviti 50. obljetnicu. Uz to je otvorio glazbeni klub Rhythm Room te je počeo dovoditi blues umjetnike u Phoenix na nastupe i snimanja. Ti brojni nastupi postali su plodno tlo i sjajna baza, škrinja puna blaga za njegovu seriju albuma “From the Vaults”. Kada se još Sugaray Rayford preselio u blizinu, snaga Phoenix Bluesa doista je neupitna!
Izdanje nam donosi neke od najuvjerljivijih izvedbi gostujućih glazbenika: Chico Chisma, Chief Schubuttie’ Gilliamea, King Karla, Dino Spellsa, George Bowmana, Tommyja Dukesa. Dave Rileyja, Sugaray Rayforda i Big Pete Pearsona. Uz pomoć pratećih glazbenika, ova ekipa i Bob sjajno ispisuju što istinski glazbenici rade kada sviraju na studijskim sessionsima.
Nema tu nikakvih diktata, nema tu niti jedne primisli o bilo kakvim pritiscima, o bilo kakvim “vi morate”, ne, doista oni ništa ne moraju, oni su tu samo da sviraju i da uživaju u tome na koji i kakav način izvode tu glazbu koju toliko vole. A što nama preostaje, osim da se opustimo i uživamo u “first class old school bluesu”.
Ova ekipa toliko iskreno i nadahnuto izvodi svoju glazbu da se to osjeća iz doista svake note. Naravno, Bob nas ponovo časti s pjesmama koje su u njegovoj arhivi i koje putem ove serije “From the Vaults” jednostavno svima nama daje ranije nedostupne i neobjavljene bisere koji itekako snažno djeluju na glazbena bića svih nas, koji volimo ovaj glazbeni stil.
Preporuka
Ukoliko niste do sada ulovili neko izdanje, sada je prilika koju ne smijete propustiti i dobavite album Boba Corritorea & Friendsa “Phoenix Blues Rumble”. Album dolazi iz dojmljive serije “From the Vaults” Boba Corritorea. 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 Boba Corritorea, uz njegove prijatelje sve to ide u neslućene visine. I ovaj album jednostavno mora postati, ako već nije, dio kolekcije svakog imalo ozbiljnijeg poklonika bluesa.
Yours bluesy,
Mladen Loncar – Mike
Zicazac (France) (December 20, 2023)
S’il a vu le jour à Chicago durant la seconde moitié des fifties, Bob Corritore a choisi de s’exiler vers Phoenix en 1981 et a très largement contribué à y faire vivre une scène blues très active dont il est rapidement devenu l’épicentre avec non seulement une émission de radio qui va célébrer son quarante-neuvième anniversaire mais aussi avec un club, le Rhythm Room, qui a vu passer le gratin de la scène blues américaine au fil des années. Il résulte de cette carrière aussi longue que glorieuse une somme considérable d’enregistrements que Bob Corritore a décidé de dépoussiérer et de proposer au public dans le cadre d’une collection baptisée « From The Vault » qui s’enrichit en cette fin d’année d’une nouvelle sortie dans laquelle l’harmoniciste rassemble des enregistrements réalisés entre 1987 et 2017. Le fil conducteur de ce « Phoenix Blues Rumble » est plutôt simple puisque l’ouvrage a fait le pari de se concentrer sur des artistes issus de la ville adoptive de Bob Corritore en Arizona, ce qui nous permet de retrouver, une fois n’est pas coutume, des bluesmen dont certains sont un peu moins connus de notre côté de l’Atlantique avec au final un line up réunissant Chico Chism, King Karl, Sugaray Rayford, Dave Riley, Big Pete Pearson, George Bowman, Tommy Dukes, Dino Spells et Chief Schabuttie Gilliame dans un répertoire somme toute assez classique où l’on notera bien entendu la présence de titres des uns et des autres avec quelques morceaux de bravoure comme « Big Fat Woman 480 LBs », « Come To Me Baby », « Matilda », « I Was A Fool », « Leopard Speckled Baby », « The Glide » ou encore « I’m Evil ». L’harmonica de Bob Corritore est comme toujours très présent mais plus que cet apport inestimable à une musique qui s’en nourrit avec un réel avantage, ce sont de véritables tranches de blues taillées au plus proche de l’os que l’auditeur pourra apprécier non seulement parce qu’elles appartiennent à l’Histoire du blues avec un grand H, mais aussi parce qu’elles sont empreintes de spontanéité, de feeling et de passion. Tout ce qui contribue à faire de Bob Corritore un des plus grands artistes de blues contemporains que l’on retrouve avec toujours le même plaisir, que ce soit dans la platine ou lieux encore, sur une scène !
– Fred Delforge
Paris Move (France) (December 31, 2023)
En 2023, le stakhanoviste Bob Corritore n’aura une fois encore pas chômé, puisque voici rien de moins que sa cinquième production de l’année! Pour faire court (puisque son parcours figure déjà en exergue de la plupart des chroniques que nous lui avons consacrées), relocalisé à Phoenix, Arizona, depuis 1981, cet harmoniciste natif de Chicago y est devenu l’un des ferments les plus actifs de la scène blues locale. Y animant depuis près de quatre décennies une émission hebdomadaire sur la radio autochtone KJZZ, il y dirige également le Rhythm Room, club devenu incontournable pour quantité de musiciens, et d’aficionados d’un lowdown blues dans la tradition des juke joints. Profitant de leur programmation pour organiser au passage des sessions d’enregistrement de ces artistes, il en publie comme à la parade maintes anthologies. Singulièrement, la toute dernière se consacre davantage aux artistes du cru, résidents de la région de Phoenix. Captées entre 1987 et 2017, ces sessions permettent de retrouver, parmi quelques méconnus, les grands Big Pete Pearson et Henry Gray, accompagnés de certains usual suspects tels que le pianiste Fred Kaplan, le saxophoniste Doug James, ainsi que les guitaristes Kirk Fletcher, Chris James, Dave Riley, Big Jon Atkinson, Junior Watson, Rusty Zinn et Johnny Burgin. Intervenant bien entendu sur chacun de ces douze titres, Corritore entame ce panel par le “Big Fat Woman 480 LBS” de son complice chicagoan, le batteur et chanteur Chico Chism. Un dynamique shuffle qui se poursuit dans une veine Chester Burnett avec le “Come To Me Baby” de l’obscur Chief Schabuttie Gilliame (avec les impeccables Rusty Zinn aux six cordes, et Richard Innes aux drums), que l’on retrouve plus loin pour un autre titre de son cru (cette fois avec le grand Henry Gray aux ivoires). Le New-Orleans rock n’ roll s’invite ensuite pour le “Walking In The Park” de Jay Miller que chante un certain King Karl (toujours avec Zinn), qui persiste en Louisiane avec le “Matilda” qu’interprétaient à leurs débuts les Fabulous Thunderbirds (avec Doug James au sax). C’est au guitariste et chanteur Dino Spells qu’échoit ensuite une vigoureuse ode à la Ford V-8 intitulée “Jennie Bea”, sur laquelle Bob Corritore se fend de deux de ces soli d’anthologie dont il a le secret, avant de céder le pas au puissant vocaliste George Bowman pour le lancinant “I Was A Fool” (avec le grand Atkinson aux six cordes, et au solo d’harmo cette fois dans la veine saisissante de Little Walter), et que le vétéran guitariste et chanteur Tommy Dukes ne prenne le relais pour un “Real Bad Day” dans la ligne de Jimmy Reed (toujours avec Big Jon). George Bowman revient avec l’énergique “Nine Times Out Of Ten”, featuring un impérial Rockin’ Johnny Burgin à la guitare. Long time partner de Corritore, Dave Riley s’illustre ensuite avec le malicieux “Laughing Blues”, bondissant shuffle mené à la baguette par Brian Fahey et Yahni Riley aux quatre cordes basses. C’est Fred Kaplan qui s’illustre au clavier deux tons pour soutenir, auprès du magistral Junior Watson, l’imparable Sugaray Rayford sur le slow shuffle “The Glide” (sombre histoire de cheval planeur à trois pattes). La conclusion revient au regretté Big Pete Pearson, avec son propre “I’m Evil”, dans la pure lignée slow-Chicago, le guitariste Chris James y épousant notamment les licks du regretté Jimmy Rogers. Encore un must au palmarès du Phoenix blues mogul!
– Patrick Dallongeville
Cultura Blues (December 31, 2023)
9.0 Muy Bueno
El sello discográfico VizzTone hizo el lanzamiento el pasado 1 de diciembre del álbum Phoenix Blues Rumble, el más reciente de la serie ‘From The Vaults’ de Bob Corritore, extraído justamente de sus vastos archivos. Bob publicó nada menos que 5 discos este año de 2023: The World in a Jug (Jimi “Primetime” Smith & Bob Corritore); Bob Corritore & Friends: Women in Blues Showcase; Bob Corritore & Friends: High Rise Blues; Bob Corritore & Friends: Somebody Put Bad Luck On Me; y Bob Corritore & Friends – Phoenix Blues Rumble.
Phoenix Blues Rumble es una muestra de los artistas de Phoenix, Arizona, la ciudad natal adoptiva de Bob Corritore. Grabado entre 1987 y 2017, es un vistazo a una comunidad del suroeste de Estados Unidos que ha generado una poderosa escena de blues.
El armonicista de blues Bob Corritore se mudó de Chicago a Phoenix en 1981, y rápidamente se convirtió en una figura importante en la escena de esa ciudad. Bob ha tocado con los bluesmen locales, Tommy Dukes, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Big Pete Pearson y Dino Spells, y convenció a su amigo de Chicago, Chico Chism, para que se mudara a la ciudad.
Corritore comenzó su programa de radio, “Those Lowdown Blues” en KJZZ en 1984 (está a punto de celebrar su 50° aniversario), abrió el club “Rhythm Room” y comenzó a traer artistas de blues a Phoenix para presentaciones y sesiones de grabación. Esas numerosas sesiones se convertirían en el terreno fértil para su serie de álbumes “From the Vaults”.
– José Luis García Fernández
Chicago Blues Guide (January 1, 2024)
One of the busiest bluesmen in the world, Arizona-based harp player/producer Bob Corritore closed out 2023 with the release of this compilation – the fourth of the year – while taking a break from his normal format by featuring nine vocalists from his adopted home state. And like the previous efforts, the former Chicagoan soars on harp in the background throughout and it’s a winner on all counts.
The Phoenix area might not be on your radar as a blues mecca, but you’ll be putting it on your list after listening to this set, which includes former Howlin’ Wolf drummer Chico Chism, King Karl, Sugaray Rayford, Dave Riley, Big Pete Pearson, George Bowman, Tommy Dukes, Dino Spells and Chief Schabuttie Gilliame backed by some of the biggest names in the business.
Treat yourself to “Big Fat Woman 489 Lbs.,” “Come to Me Baby,” “Walking in the Park,” “Jennie Bea,” “I Was a Fool,” “Real Bad Day,” “Leopard Speckled Baby,” “Laughing Blues,” “The Glide” and “I’m Evil.”
The Rock Doctor (January 2, 2024)
***** (Five Stars)
The latest volume to come from Bob Corritore’s storied vaults is another unvarnished gem. Chicago-style blues by way of Arizona, Phoenix Blues Rumble is a showcase of singers from Bob’s adopted home. Featuring swingin’ performances recorded between 1987 and 2017, PBR is a potent representation of the Southwest city that has spawned a powerful blues scene.
Blues harp assassin Bob Corritore moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 1981 and set to work immediately to help elevate the local scene. Aside from playing with local bluesmen he also started his long-running radio show Those Lowdown Blues at KJZZ in1984, about to celebrate its 40th anniversary. He also opened a club, The Rhythm Room, and started bringing blues artists to Phoenix for performances and recording sessions. Said recording sessions became the fertile ground for his ongoing not-to-be-missed From The Vaults series of releases. So when you’re talking the blues, I can’t think of anyone more hooked up and tuned in than Corritore.
Like so many of Bob’s other “From The Vaults” releases, Phoenix Blues Rumble is unmistakably authentic, like time-traveling back to the 60’s when the blues scene was starting to explode worldwide. These 12 tracks, produced by Bob Corritore, Clark Rigsby and John Wroble, come from 9 sessions between ’87 and ’17. The performances are basic and straightforward, nothing particularly fancy but gripping and occasionally exciting nonetheless, like one of those great Chess records compilations. That said, there’s some great singing here by guys like Chico Chism, Sugaray Rayford and Dave Riley amongst others, prime examples of how it’s done.
Despite the title Phoenix Blues Rumble and the locale of the artists involved, this disc sounds and feels like authentic Chicago blues, with an unmistakable spirit that will pull you in and keep you coming back for more. Another homerun for Bob Corritore & Friends.
HOT TRACKS: Big Fat Woman 480 Pounds (with Chico Chism), I Was A Fool (with George Bowman), Real Bad Day (with Tommy Dukes)
Concert Monkey (Belgium) (January 12, 2024)
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 brachten 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’. Op 12 januari verschijnt er in de reeks ‘From The Vaults’ weer een nieuw album van Bob Corritore & Friends, ditmaal met opnames met blueszangers uit Phoenix, Arizona, sinds 1981 de thuisbasis van Bob Corritore. Er staan twaalf songs op het album en de opnames gebeurden tussen 1987 en 2016.
Het album opent met de energieke bluessong ‘Big Fat Woman 480 LBS’, een nummer van Howlin’ Wolf drummer Chico Chism. Hij speelde ook twintig jaar met Bob Corritore en het is dus geen verrassing dat deze in 2007 overleden muzikant het album mag openen. Chico zingt het nummer en zit achte rhet drumstel. Bob Corritore is heel het nummer uitdrukkelijk aanwezig met zijn mondharmonica. Het pianowerk komt van Henry Gray en het gitaarwerk komt van Johnny Rapp. Daarna is het de beurt aan de zware doorleefde stem van Chief Schabuttie Gilliame. Hij zingt twee nummers, te beginnen met de bluesshuffle Come To Me Baby’. Drummer Richard Innes en bassist Mario Moreno zorgen voor de heerlijk stuwende groove. Het snarenwerk van gitarist Rusty Zinn en het pianowerk van van Matt Bishop zijn van sublieme kwaliteit en een waar genot voor het oor. Het tweede nummer dat Schabuttie Gilliame zingt is het mondharmonica bluesje ”Leopard Speckled Baby’. Henri Gray kruidt het nummer met een knappe piano solo. Er wordt nog een tandje bijgestoken voor het rock’n roll nummer ‘Walking In The Park’. King Karl zingt dit door Jay Miller geschreven nummer. Bob Corritore en Rusty Zinn schitteren met een knappe mondharmonica en gitaar solo.
Het enige nummer waarin blazers aanwezig zijn is de New Orleans ballade ‘Mathilda’. Doug James is het ganse nummer uitstekend en uitdrukkelijk aanwezig op de saxofoon. Ook hier horen we de stem van King Karl. Drummer Chico Chism bepaalt het ritme van het nummer. Bob Corritore op mondharmonica en Johnny Rapp op de gitaar zorgen voor het knappe solowerk. Het nummer en vooral het pianospel S.E. Willis doen denken aan de muziek van de grote Fats Domino. Dino Spells neemt de zang en de gitaar voor zijn rekening in het door hem geschreven ‘Jennie Bea’. In zijn krachtige V8 Ford gaat Dino op zoek naar zijn Jennie Bea. Corritore kleurt het nummer met twee uitstekende solo’s. Met zijn prachtige en krachtige stem mag zanger George Bowman twee nummers zingen op dit album. Het eerste is de beklijvende slowblues ‘I Was A Fool’, waarin de zanger bekent dat hij een grote stommiteit begaan heeft om bij zijn geliefde weg te gaan. Gitarist Jon Atkinson en mondharmonicaspeler Bob Corritore zijn hier de instrumentale smaakmakers. Het tweede nummer dat George Bowman mag zingen is het zelf geschreven ‘Nine Times Out Of Ten’. Het is een energiek bluesnummer met ruig mondharmonicawerk van Corritore en wederom een grootse Atkinson op gitaar. Drummer Brian Fahey en bassist Troy Sandow zorgen voor de uitstekende stuwende groove. Dan is het de beurt aan zanger/gitarist Tommy Dukes. Hij brengt zijn zelf geschreven bluesnummer ‘Real Bad Day’. Het is een song die herinneringen oproept aan de muziek van Jimmy Reed. ‘Real Bad Day’ is de eerste single uit dit album.
Het levendige ‘Laughing Blues’ wordt op een speelse wijze gezongen door Dave Riley. Dave was lange tijd een instrumentale partner van Corritore. Het bijna zeven minuten durende epos van het driebenige paard ‘Glide’ is één van de hoogtepunten op dit album. Wie kan dit ongelooflijk verhaal beter zingen dat showbeest Sugaray Rayford. Er zijn weinigen die zo’n sterke en goede stem hebben als deze reus. Bovendien heeft hij met drummer Rena Beavers, bassist Kedar Roy, pianist Fred Kaplan, mondharmonicaspeler Bob Corritore en gitarist Junior Watson een fantastische band om hem te begeleiden. Big Pete Pearson mag het album afsluiten met de Chicago slowblues ‘I’m Evil’. Pete beschikt over een krachtige stem en hij legt heel zijn hart en ziel in zijn vocale prestatie. Ook hier krijgen we weer machtig solowerk van Corritore op de mondharmonica en van Chris James op de gitaar. De bluesliefhebbers en de fans van de mondharmonica zullen weer in hun nopjes zijn, want Bob Corritore is er andermaal in geslaagd om met ‘Phoenix Blues Rumble’ een uitstekend album aan zijn From The Vault reeks toe te voegen. Hij is nog steeds één van de beste mondharmonicaspelers op deze aardbol en hij slaagt er elke keer weer in om fantastische muzikanten uit te nodigen. aanrader (8/10)
– Walter Vanheuckelom
Bluestown Music (Netherlands) (January 18, 2024)
On this record (his fifth in his “From the Vaults” series), Bob Corritore showcases nine (!) blues singers from the Phoenix area. Bob is known for his great harmonica playing, multi-award-winning productions, numerous collaborations, and talent for bringing blues people together.
His Rhythm Room music club in Phoenix, Arizona has strongly stimulated the local scene and with a heart for traditional sounds Bob has been producing record after record with known and lesser-known blues musicians. Some songs on this record have been on the shelf for thirty years (recorded between 1987 – 2017) and now finally are brought together on this album.
Thirty-two musicians have contributed to this record, and not the least. What about Rusty Zinn, Kirk Fletcher, Jon Atkinson, Junior Watson, Fred Kaplan, Richard Innes, Brian Fahey, and the man himself (on all twelve tracks).
And then all these vocalist (your humble reviewer had never heard of them before, shame on me); Chico Chism, King Karl, Sugaray Raford, Dave Riley, Big Pete Pearson, George Bowman, Tommy Dukes, Dino Spells and Chief Schabutte Gilliame (listen to Chief’s voice cracking up so fiercely on “Leopard Speckled Baby”).
All vocalists singing their hearts out on this great old-school sounding recording. No surprises here, but just good Chicago blues that you can listen to anytime and everywhere. Thank you, Bob!
– Pascal Wilhelm
La Hora Del Blues (Spain) (February 1, 2024)
ESSENTIAL
Bob Corritore’s archive seems to have no end, as he regularly surprises us with the release of a new album belonging to the “From The Vaults” series.
This new volume gathers some recordings done between 1987 and 2017 by some of the many artists who over the years have performed in his club, The Rhythm Room, or have been broadcasted at his radio show “Those Lowdown Blues” he started in 1984. This time the album is devoted Phoenix area bluesmen.
Coming from Chicago, Bob Corritore settled in Phoenix, Arizona in 1981 where he has become a blues icon, recording and playing with all local bluesmen, like singers Tommy Dukes, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Big Pete Pearson or Dino Spells. At that time, he also convinced his good friend Chico Chism to come from Chicago to record with him, as well as Sugaray Rayford and Tommy Dukes who lived not far away.
You will find all these friends in the recording, together with an impressive cast of musicians. It’s hard to name all the musicians who participate in these recordings coming from Bob Corritore’s impressive archive, but I would like to name the rest of the Arizona bluesmen who participate in the album, like King Karl, George Bowman, Dave Riley, all of them on vocals. Among the musicians who backed them, mention guitar players Rusty Zinn, Kirk Fletcher, Johnny Burgin, Junior Watson or Chris James, piano players Henry Gray, Fred Kaplan and Matt Bishop, bass players Patrick Rynn, Paul Thomas or Troy Sandow, drummers Chico Chism, Richard Innes, Brian Fahey and Rena Beavers, horns by Doug James and, of course, Bob Corritore putting his harmonica in all selected tracks.
Twelve fantastic and genuine blues played with conviction and a terrific feeling by all these magnificent musicians, with Bob Corritore acting as the catalyst of all participant musicians. Like all previous volumes, this collection becomes a must for blues with capital letters lovers.
– Vicente Zumel
Blues Blast Magazine (February 22, 2024)
Phoenix, Ariz., has become a hotbed of rock-solid, award-winning traditional blues albums in the past 20 years thanks to harp player/producer Bob Corritore and the vast number of recordings he’s made at his nightclub, The Rhythm Room, and studios around town. He finally turns the spotlight on local talent with this sensational compilation, and it’s among the best he’s put out.
Maxwell Street-trained reed blower has earned dozens of honors through the years, but – as usual – he allows the spotlight to shine on others and takes a back seat throughout the 12 tracks here. They were recorded during nine sessions between 1987 and 2017 and feature a handful of national acts and six others that truly deserve your ear. All of them are members of the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame.
Produced by Corritore, Clarke Rigsby and John Wroble, the set includes the late Chico Chism, who served as Howlin’ Wolf’s drummer for years before moving to the Southwest, Phoenix-based Grammy nominee Sugaray Rayford and Mississippi-born, Windy City-trained Dave Riley, all of whom made Phoenix their home. They’re joined by Big Pete Pearson, King Karl, Dino Spells, George Bowman and Tommy Dukes, all of whom started life in Louisiana or Mississippi, and Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, an Egyptian transplant. They’re backed by a revolving lineup that includes several of the biggest names in the business.
The guitar chair includes Johnny Rapp, Rusty Zinn, Kirk Fletcher, Big Jon Atkinson, Danny Michel, Johnny Burgin, Junior Watson and Chris James while Henry Gray, Matt Bishop, S.E. Willis and Fred Kaplan make appearances on keys. Doug James handles sax with Paul Thomas, Mario Moreno, Troy Sandow, Yahni Riley, Kedar Roy and Patrick Rynn taking turns on bass and Richard Innes, Brian Fahey and Rena Beavers drums.
Chism kicks things off in style, handling the mic and powering the rapid-fire shuffle that drives “Big Fat Woman 489 Lbs.” It’s a joyous expression of love for the plus-sized beauty. One of the most popular and distinctive vocalists on the local scene, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame follows with “Come to Me Baby.” It lopes steadily, driven by Corritore’s fluid harp runs and skintight rhythm. He yields to King Karl, a singer who served as the featured vocalist for R&B giant Lloyd Price.
His uptempo take of “Walking in the Park” delivers the same feel as when it was first recorded in the ‘60s. And he follows it up with the Cajun classic, “Mathilda,” capturing the essence of the Gulf Coast in every note, giving way to Dino Spells who describes his search for his lady in the hard-driving “Jennie Bea.” George Bowman, whose family moved from the cotton fields in ‘60s, slows things down with his original, bittersweet ballad, “I Was a Fool,” yielding to Tommy Dukes, whose family followed the same path, for the rock-steady shuffle, “Real Bad Day.”
Bowman takes the mic again for “Nine Times Out of Ten,” a rapid-fire, stop-time pleaser, before the Chief’s gravel-inflected voice returns for “Leopard Speckled Baby,” the description of his freckle-covered lady. Dave Riley’s lyrics play call-and-response with Corritore’s harp in the delightfully playful “Laughing Blues” before Sugaray Rayford describes his three-legged racehorse, “The Glide.” The disc closes with Big Pete Pearson’s slow-and-steady ballad of longing for a lost love, “I’m Evil.”
Phoenix Blues Rumble is blues at its best. Some of the artists here might be foreign to your ears, but their all deserving and at the top of their game. Strongly recommended.
– Marty Gunther
Big City Blues (February 2024)
Harmonica ace Bob Corritore moved from Chicago to Phoenix in 1981, and over four decades there has established himself as a per-former, radio programmer, blues club owner, album producer…and archivist.
His collection of blues is obviously extensive, and we listeners are the fortunate recipients. This is the eighth “Corritore & Friends” release, and his fifth album release of 2023. I do not feel sated at all.
This edition has twelve tracks extending to almost an hour. Since the recordings span thirty years, from 1987 to 2017, there are a lot of musicians involved. Familiar names include guitarists Junior Watson, Kirk Fletcher, and Rusty Zinn, drummer Richard Innes, pianists Henry Gray and Fred Kaplan, and saxophonist Doug James. Those others whose names you may not recognize are equally talented. Corritore, of course, appears on each track, consistently incorporating stirring leads and tasteful fills.
The album’s focus, however is on “Showcasing Phoenix Blues Singers!” Nine different vocalists are presented, award-winning Sugaray Rayford being the most renowned; perhaps you have also heard Dave Riley and Big Pete Pearson. Their appearance with the other six in the collection enhances the listening experience by exhibiting an intriguing range of vocal styles.
Singer Chico Chism starts off the set with “Big Fat Woman 480 Pounds,” a real three-minute barn-burner that will induce chuckles as well as the urge to boogie. Chief Schabuttie Gilliame does the singing on its successor, “Come to Me Baby,” introduced by some of Corritore’s best harp vamping, and the Chief also sings on “Leopard Speckled Baby,” on which the ivories are tickled by Gray, erstwhile pianist with Howlin’ Wolf. The subsequent brief numbers, “Walking in the Park” and “Matilda,” have a 1950s vibe enhanced by King Karl at the microphone. Then we get “Jennie Bea,” courtesy of Dino Spells, with Johnny Rapp, present on half of the set’s tracks, dealing out some stinging guitar licks.
This set emphasizes the appealing variety that standard twelve bar blues can provide.
– Steve Daniels
Blues Matters (U.K.) (February / March 2024)
Whenever I see an album with the name Bob Corritore in the title, a big smile appears on my face. Now, there are many albums featuring Bob Corritore & Friends, and each one is sublime in its content. The Phoenix Blues Rumble is no exception. Having moved from his native Chicago in 1981, Corritore has immersed himself hook line, and sinker into the Phoenix Blues scene, collaborating with so many of the state Blues musicians, hence this album. Many of the tracks were recorded between 1987-2017, some were released, and many were not. Big Fat Woman 480 LBS, kicks off this trip into the vaults with Chico Chism belting out the vocals as if his very life depended on it, add to that, he also lends a hand on the drums. A raunchy fast-paced Blues tune with more than a hint of sexual gratification within the lyrics. Now, as we all know, Bob Corritore is famous for his harmonica playing, and plying his trade with this bunch of musos from Phoenix, certainly enhances his reputation.There are so many adept Harmonica players around, but I’ve not heard a better one than Mr. Corritore for a very long time. Come To Me Baby (Chief Schabuttie Gilliams-Vocals), and a guest appearance on guitar from Kirk Fletcher, tell you everything you need to know about the Blues.
I could list every track by name, space allowing, and wax lyrical about each song, but space does not allow it, unfortunately. Jennie Bea, Real Bad Day, and the last song on the album, I’m Evil, showcase everything that the Blues and Bob Corritore stand for. Once again, an outstanding foray into the vaults of lesser-known Blues tunes. Thank God for the vaults.
– Stephen Harrison
Jefferson Magazine (Sweden) (March 2024)
Bob Corritore bor sedan tidigt 80-tal. i Phoenix, Arizona, där han skapat en egen bluesscen (se intervjun med Corritore i Jefferson 218). Denna cd som innehaller inspelningar gjorda i Phoenix mellan aren 1987 och 2017 ingảr i serien “From The Vaults” och kom i slutet av 2023.
Chief Shabuttie Gilliame är ett nytt namn för mig, en verkligt raröstad sangare. Rusty Zinn spelar gitarr pả “Come to me baby” och Johnny Burgin pả “Leopard speckled baby”. Henry Gray hanterar pianot pa den senare, liksom pả “Big fat woman 480 lbs” som Howlin’ Wolfs före detta trummis Chico Chism tar det vokala pả. Chico är inte den ende som gjort Phoenix till sin hem-adress. Texanen Sugaray Rayford med ett souligt förflutet i San Diego och L.A. är ytterligare en i raden. Hans “The glide” har Junior Watson gitarr och Fred Kaplan piano. Mindre kände Tommy Dukes gör “Real bad day” a lá Jimmy Reed. George Bowman är ocksa ett nytt namn för mig. En Hooker-lâtande “I was a fool”, medan “Nine times out of ten” doftar västkust (Ray Agee/Al King).
King Karl ateranvänder ett par latar frản 1958. Tillsammans med Guitar Gable jorde Karl “Walking in the park” i original pa Excello. Här i ny version med Zinn pa gitarr. Originalet till “Mathilda” gjordes av Cookie & His Cupcakes. Här är det Johnny Rapp pa gitarr.
Corritore själv backar med sitt munspel pa samtliga tolv spar, och behöver jag säga att han gör det utom-ordentligt. En rolig samling med min-dre kända namn fran Corritores arkiv.
Rekommenderas!
– Max W Sievert
Living Blues (March 2024)
Every time Phoenix harp powerhouse and blues empresario Bob Corritore takes a dive into his “From the Vaults” series of recordings, he emerges with another gem from his seemingly bottomless well of pure, unadulterated raw blues.
To date, Corritore has released 14 long players under the title of Bob Corritore & Friends, curated from jams with local, regional, and national blues icons in town to play at Corritore’s Rhythm Room nightclub.
The venue has evolved as the epicenter of the Phoenix blues world since its opening there in 1984. As leader of the Rhythm Room All-Stars, Corritore often backed artists passing through town and was able to arrange studio time with them as well.
The recordings don’t break any new artistic ground, but they provide an enduring platform for old and new blues artists to display what makes them great. And they never disappoint. On Phoenix Blues Rumble, Corritore presents 12 tracks recorded between 1987 and 2017. All but one of the featured artists here are inductees into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, and the lone exception, soul/blues belter Sugaray Rayford, is a Phoenix resident who’s crafting a career that may someday find him rubbing elbows with the Hall of Famers.
The list of stalwarts is impressive. Chicago singer/drummer Chico Chism shared the stage with the likes of Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Howlin’ Wolf before moving to Phoenix at the behest of Corritore in the ’80s. His gutbucket vocals kick things off with his ode to plus-sized women, Big Fat Woman 480 LBS.
With a voice as rough as 24-grit sandpaper, Egyptian-born Arizona blues icon Chief Schabuttie Gilliame shines on a couple of the album’s highlights: Come to Me Baby, featuring sublime guitar by Kirk Fletcher, and Leopard Speckled Baby, where he pledges allegiance to freckled women and is joined by ace Louisiana piano player Henry Gray.
Walking in the Park rocks like a classic Little Richard tune driven by the polished vocals of King Karl, who helped create the mashup of rock, blues, and ballads known as the “swamp pop” sound, and spent time as the featured singer in Lloyd Price’s band.
On Nine Times Out of Ten, Mississippi-born George Bowman delivers a delicious slice of Delta blues. The slow burn I’m Evil features the passionate energy of Phoenix blues north star Big Pete Pearson. Rayford lends his force of nature pipes to The Glide, a soulful shuffle that tells the tale of a white lightnin’-fueled, three-legged horse.
While the players and singers change from track to track, the one constant is Corritore’s versatile harp. Whether he’s plumbing the depths of despair with a deep, husky tone or soaring with the eagles on upper register runs, he proves why he’s one of the best harp masters in the game today, as well as a savvy producer with a great ear.
There’s nothing revolutionary about Phoenix Blues Rumble, but that’s the beauty of it: blues played by true blue artists who’ve dedicated their lives to it.
– Rod Eva
The Groove / Crossroads Blues Society (March / April 2024)
Bob Corritore is definitely on a roll, this being his fifth album release in 2023!
Quantity, fortunately, does not impair quality as this time round bob has selected material from his extensive vaults that feature artists based in Phoenix, some local, some relocated to Arizona, as Bob himself did back in 1981. As ever, Bob’s harp work fits every tune perfectly and the recordings (from 1987 to 2017) feature a plethora of artists. The list includes guitarists Johnny Burgin, Kirk Fletcher, Rusty Zinn and Johnny Rapp, pianists Henry Gray and Matt Bishop, Doug James on horns, bassists Troy Sandow and Paul Thomas and drummers Brian Fahey and Richard Innes. Nine vocalists appear, as detailed below.
Chico Chism plays drums on three cuts and sings the opener, clearly relishing his tale of love with a “Big Fat Woman” over the fast pace set by Henry Gray’s piano and Bob’s scintillating harp. Chief Schabuttie Gilliame is in similar lyrical territory with “Come To Me Baby”, a great piece of driving Chicago blues, while “Leopard Speckled Baby” is a slower blues about a girl whose freckles seem to hold a particular attraction to him! King Karl offers us two contrasting tunes, “Walking In The Park” a short piece of proto-rock and roll, and the New Orleans flavoured “Mathilda” on which Bob’s harp sounds like an accordion, Doug James’ baritone and SE Willis’ piano, underpinning the tune brillantly. The big voiced George Bowman also has two original songs: “I Was A Fool” is an angst-filled slow blues while “Nine Times Out Of Ten” is more uptempo, both featuring Big Jon Atkinson on guitar.
The remaining singers get one track apiece. Tommy Dukes gives us his own rolling blues “Real Bad Day”, Dino Spells sings his own “Jennie Bea”, an urgent, upbeat cut with Dino and Johnny Rapp’s guitars to the fore, and Big Pete Pearson closes the album with the classic slow blues “I’m Evil” which offers Bob a great vehicle for his impressive harp skills. One of Bob’s frequent collaborators over the years has been Dave Riley who is featured on guitar and vocals on his song “Laughing Blues”, a short novelty piece with lots of manic laughter, perhaps the least convincing track here. Saving the best for last, “The Glide” is a terrific song about a three-legged horse fed on white lightning.
Sugaray Rayford whose performance is outstanding, plus the dream team behind him, Bob on the harp, Fred Kaplan on piano, Junior Watson on guitar, Kedar Roy on bass and Rena Beavers on the drums.
Five of these tracks have been released previously but the collection contains plenty of great stuff, so it is well worth a listen.
Long may Bob Corritore continue to open his recording vaults for our entertainment!
– John Mitchell
Bman’s Blues Report (April 24, 2024)
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Phoenix Blues Rumble, from Bob Corritore and Friends and it’s a great blues rumble. Opening with Big Fat Woman 489 LBS. a blues rocker featuring Chico Chism on vocal and drums, Henry Gray on piano, Paul Thomas on bass and Bob Corritore on harmonica. This is a solid opener with plenty of harmonica by Corritore. With a deep, New Orleans, R&B feel King Karl has the microphone on Mathilda, wailing some really soulful lines. With Johnny Rapp on guitar, S.E. Willis on piano Thomas on bass and Doug James on horns, this is a real standout. George Bowman has the mic for slow blues, I Was A Fool and it’s one of my favorites on the release with Jon Atkinson on guitar, Danny Michel on rhythm guitar, Troy Sandow on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Corritore is a standout on this track with thick, heavily hooded harmonica and Atkinson lays in a tasty guitar of his own to tie down the track. Shuffle, Nine Times Out Of Ten, with it’s sonny Boy Williams feel, again features Bowman on lead vocal. Atkinson on guitar fans the guitar nicely, Corritore blows a strong solo on harp and Sandow and Fahey hold the bottom tight. Sugaray Rayford leads the way on The Glide with super vocals joined by Junior Watson on guitar, Fred Kaplan on piano, Kedar Roy on bass and Rena Beavers on drums. Watson takes a real nice solo with Kaplan keeping the rhythm on piano. Wrapping the release is I’m Evil, a slower Chicago style track featuring Big Pete Pearson on lead vocal. With Johnny Rapp pulling the strings on lead guitar, Corritore adding essential harmonica lead, Chris James on guitar, Matt Bishop on piano, Patrick Rynn on bass and Fahey on drums, this is an excellent closer.
Bob Corritore - Official Website 