Bob Corritore and Friends – Harmonica Blues – Delta Groove Records DGPCD-139, 61:33 *****:
(Bob Corritore – harmonica; Koko Taylor – vocals; Little Milton – guitar, vocals; Robert Lockwood Jr. – guitar, vocals; Eddy Clearwater – guitar, vocals; Louisiana Red – guitar, vocals; Honeyboy Edwards – guitar, vocals; Pinetop Perkins – piano, vocals; Henry Gray – piano, vocals; Patrick Rynn – bass; Chico Chism – drums; Carol Fran – vocals; and many others.)
A blues artist is a combination of preservationist, historian, collaborator and fervent disciple. Bob Corritore has earned this distinction. In a classic blues narrative, he was mesmerized by a Muddy Waters record at age twelve, and a lifelong passion for the American musical genre began. He would pay his dues, learning from harmonica greats like Big Walter Horton, Junior Welles, Willie Anderson, Lester Davenport and Little Mack Simmons, among many others. He has become a bastion of the modern blues movement, respectful of the past, committed to the present.
Corritore has built a career as a recording artist, sideman and band leader. He has recorded or produced over forty albums. After moving to Arizona, he teamed up with Big Pete Pearson, began a long radio career (playing blues music, of course), and opened his own club. He would utilize the club as a vehicle to attract the greatest blues performers to Arizona. His debut CD, All-Star Blues Sessions received critical acclaim, and established a reputation as a standard bearer for authenticity. He would continue to perform live, record, and become involved with blues festivals around the world.
Harmonica Blues is a compilation spanning twenty years. It is a testament to Corritore’s stature as an artist and blues historian. Fifteen tracks of impeccable music are what you get. As expected, there is a plethora of guest vocalists. On the opening track, Koko Taylor shines on “What Kind of Man Is This?” with a snarling take on love gone wrong. Louisiana Red, a longtime colleague gives a traditional treatment on “Tell Me ‘Bout It”, propelled by Corritore’s raw harp play. A smoky atmospheric “Tin Pan Alley” becomes transformative, as Big Pete Pearson howls in front of another spirited harmonica solo, and smooth piano runs by Clay Swafford. Piano blues flourishes elevate the Boogie Woogie romp, “Big Fat Mama”, as Pinetop Perkins trades solos with guitarist, Chris James. Henry Gray brings a soulful Chicago sound on “Things Have Changed”, exhibiting a looser piano coloration, complementing the intense vocals and deftly executed wailing of Corritore.
The Delta-based sound finds Honeyboy Edwards laying down a sultry rhythm, accompanied by hoarse vocals, in a deft musical arrangement of “Bumble Bee”. A lone instrumental, “1815 West Roosevelt” is an inspired jam with a piercing saxophone (Eddie Shaw), sustained, harmonica leads, and tight rhythm section (James and Patrick Rynn are stellar throughout the album.). Baritone voicing by Nappy Brown denotes a touch of humor in “Baby Don’t You Tear My Clothes”, while the inimitable Little Milton tells an amusing blues history lesson on the final cut, “6 Bits in Your Dollar”.
Bob Corritire’s dedication, generosity and commitment make Harmonica Blues a rousing success.
TrackList: What Kind of Man Is This; Tell Me ‘Bout It; Things You Do; Baby Don’t You Tear My Clothes; 1815 West Roosevelt; That’s All Right; Tin Pan Alley; Sundown San Diego; That’s My Baby; Things Have Changed; Big Fat Mama; No More Doggin’; Bumble Bee; I Need to Be Be’d With; 6 Bits in Your Dollar.
— Robbie Gerson
