December 31, 2005

• 2005 Recap: What an amazing year 2005 was! Here is a summarized recap of some of the highlights of last year:
• Bob performed for the first time in Europe bringing his band, The Rhythm Room All-Stars (with Big Pete Pearson and Chris James) to Italy to play at the Marco Fiume Blues Passions Festival in Rossano, Italy. (Thank you Maria Giulia Sorrentino and Michel Remond for this opportunity!)
• The Louisiana Red CD “No Turn On Red” was released nationally on the HighTone Record label, and received much critical acclaim. Bob produced and plays great harmonica on this record.
• Bob’s harmonica graced recording sessions in 2005 with Pinetop Perkins, Ike Turner, Dave Riley, Koko Taylor, Big Pete Pearson, Jerry Lawson (of The Persuasions), Johnny Dyer, and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith.
• Bob produced a beautiful Willie “Big Eyes” Smith album in which Willie steps forward on harmonica on 7 of the 11 tracks. Two tracks feature James Cotton on Harmonica, and 2 feature Bob. Other artists who back Willie on this album are: Billy Flynn, Bob Margolin, Calvin “Fuzz” Jones, Bob Stroger, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, “Little Frank” Krakowski, Johnny Rapp, and the great Pinetop Perkins. This record will be released in April or May of 2006 on HighTone Records.
• Bob produced and released the Reed Family Album “Blood Harmony – A Cappella“, featuring Francine, Margo, Michael,Mellody, Lavergne, and Girley Reed singing mostly spirituals – as they have done their whole life.
• Bob performed with Dave Riley and Carla Robinson at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival for a John Weston tribute. Bob also later appeared at the festival on Mark Hummel’s harmonica finale with Rick Estrin, John Németh, James Harman, Little Sonny, and of course, Mark Hummel. This performance was aired nationwide on the Beale Street Caravan radio show.
• Bob was filmed for a forthcoming Pinetop Perkins documentary, playing a show at the Rhythm Room with Pinetop and an all-star band, featuring Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on drums, Billy Flynn and Johnny Rapp on guitars, and Calvin “Fuzz” Jones on the bass. Look for its release in 2006. Also, the makers of this documentary will use a previously unreleased Pinetop Perkins studio cut from 1997 featuring some nice harp by Bob in the film’s soundtrack.
• Dave Riley and Bob were filmed in a duet performance for a forthcoming Helena, AR documentary produced by Bill Barclay.
• The New Times presented Bob with a lifetime achievement award; which, at the ceremony, Bob turned over to his long-time friend and mentor, Chico Chism.
• The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Bob’s main band project) opened for B.B. King twice last year: once in November at the Casino Del Sol Amphitheater in Tucson, and once in December at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix. What a great honor!
• Bob’s radio show, “Those Lowdown Blues“, enjoyed its 21st year on the air. Bob feels blessed and privileged to be able to share the music he loves with his radio audience. The New Times recognized Bob’s show in its “Best Of Phoenix” awards.
• Bob did a southwestern tour with Louisiana Red, playing dates in New Mexico and Arizona.
• Bob played many club dates with a wide array of bands and artists including the Rhythm Room All-Stars, Big Pete Pearson,  Dave Riley, Chico Chism, Paris James, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Johnny Dyer, Finis Tasby, Pinetop Perkins,Roy Gaines, and Lil Ed. Bob also sat in with some great bands and artists, including Smokin’ Joe Kubek, Janiva Magness, Bob Margolin, The Mannish Boys, The Big Pete Pearson Blues Band, The Rocket 88s, Scott Dirks, Little Arthur(with Illinois Slim), Dave Waldman, and Magic Slim and the Teardrops.
• Bob’s club, The Rhythm Room, was recognized with awards from the Arizona Republic, the New Times, CitySearch, AOL’s Cityguide, and Phoenix Magazine.
• Bob and his girlfriend Kim were privileged to attend the special awards dinner at the Grammies, as part of the entourage of Pinetop Perkins, to see Pinetop get his lifetime achievement award. Also receiving awards at this event were: Led Zeppelin, Don Cornelius of Soul Train, The Staples Singers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dr. Billy Taylor, Eddy Arnold, The Carter Family, and more. What an honor to able to witness this great event! Also in Pinetop’s group of friends were Ike Turner,Kim Wilson, Elvin Bishop, Paul Oscher, Pat Morgan, and Mark Carpentieri.
• Chief Schabuttie Gilliame’s CD “Snakes Crawls At Night” was recognized by Soul Bag Magazine (France) as the #1 release by a New Artist in 2004. Bob produced this release and plays harmonica on the record.

Thanks to all the friends, fans, record labels, promoters, venues, DJs, writers, and others who made this fantastic year possible!

December 27, 2005

• New photos: Two new photo pages have been added to Bob Corritore’s web site, featuring Chicago Blues Handbills and Vintage Phoenix Photos. Enjoy a trip back in time with these wonderful photos.
• Rhythm Room All-Stars perform this week: The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Big Pete Pearson, Chris James, Bob Corritore, Brian Fahey, Patrick Rynn, Matt Bishop, and Johnny Rapp) have a trio of performances scheduled for this week. First, they play the Rhythm Room on Wednesday, December 28th, then they open up for B.B. King at the Dodge Theatreon Thursday, December 29th, and then the Rhythm Room All-Stars will play another date at the Rhythm Room on Friday, December 30th. Keep updated on the latest appearances on Bob’s performance schedule!

December 13, 2005

• King Karl passes: We mourn the passing of King Karl, December 22, 1931 – December 7, 2006. King Karl was an architect of a music style known as Louisiana Swamp Pop during the 1950′s and 60′s, and is best known for his ballad “This Should Go On Forever”. Karl and his family retired in Phoenix about 10 years ago. Bob and Karl were close friends, and Karl appears on Bob’s All-Star Blues Sessions singing “Cool Calm, Collected”. Funeral information: Visitation: Wednesday, December 14 6pm – 8pm Allen Funeral Home 1130 S. Horne. Mesa, AZ, and Service: Thursday, December 15th, 10am at First Baptist Church of Tempe, 4525 S. McClintock, Tempe, AZ (McClintock and I-60). Services under his legal name of Bernard Jolivette. We love you, Karl!

• Willie “Big Eyes” Smith CD release: Willie “Big Eyes” Smith’s new CD Way Back produced by Bob Corritore to be released on HighTone Records in May 2006. This Record will feature Willie primarily as a harmonica player and vocalist, as he only plays drums on 2 cuts. This is a solid CD of heavy duty Chicago blues! This all-star gathering includes James Cotton blowing strong on 2 cuts, Pinetop Perkins playing piano on 9 of the 11 cuts, a special guest appearance by Bob Margolin on 2 cuts, Billy Flynn, Calvin “Fuzz” Jones, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, Bob Stroger,, “Little Frank” Krakowski,Johnny Rapp, and Bob Corritore blowing great on 2 cuts. This record is Willie’s masterpiece; rarely do you get such an experienced lineup in the ideal studio situation.

• Rhythm Room All-Stars open for B.B. King: The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Bob’s band) to open for B.B. King on Thursday December 29th at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix! Tickets available at Ticketmaster.