Bob Corritore & Friends

Early Blues Sessions

Vizztone Label Group

Bob Corritore was born in Chicago and got hooked on blues harmonica when he was twelve years old. He studied and received playing tips from Carey Bell, Big Walter Horton, Junior Wells and others. At the age of twenty-five Corritore moved to Phoenix Arizona. Ten years later he opened his own club there called The Rhythm Room. With his house band The Rhythm Room All-Stars, he backed musicians when they came to town. Since 2017 Corritore has been nominated for eleven Blues Music Awards. He won his first BMA in 2011 for Historical Album of The Year, and won again in 2025 for Traditional Blues Album of The Year for Crawlin’ Kingsnake recorded with John Primer. This new compilation is a  brilliant survey. Most of the artists featured are no longer with us but their recordings will live on forever. Corritore plays harmonica on all sixteen tracks. Also included are seven drummers, six bass players, four piano players, one organist, and fourteen guitarists and vocalists.

The album opens with “I Want To Be The One”written and recorded  by Little Milton Campbell. Mario Moreno plays bass, while Chico Chism plays drums. On “So Glad I’m Living” Sam Lay sings on a tune from  Arthur Crudup with Patrick Rynn, bass; and Chism on drums. “On My Way” was written and is sung by guitarist Dave Riley, who is often partnered with Corritore, while Frank Rossi plays drums.

“She Loves Another Man” includes a vocal from guitarist Jimmy Rogers is an instrumental featuring guitarist Robert Lockwood Jr with pianist S.E. Willis; Bruce Lopez, bass; and Chism drums. “Five Long Years” was written by Eddie Boyd and features a vocal from drummer Chism, while Paul Thomas plays bass. “Nap Town Blues” was written by Wes Montgomery, is an instrumental featuring guitarist Robert Lockwood Jr.

“Hip Shakin'” was written by J.B. Hutto and sung by guitarist Lil’ Ed,  the Alligator Recording Artist, with Paul Thomas, bass; and Chism  on drums. “Showers Of Rain” features a vocal from pianist Henry  Gray, on guitar is Bob Margolin with bass from Pops MacFarlane; and Chism again on drums.  “I Wonder” was written and recorded by guitarist Tomcat Courtney,  with Patrick Rynn, bass; and Brian Fahey, drums.

“Coal Black Mare” is a second song written by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, here it is sung by guitarist Clarence Edwards, with Scott Meyer, bass; and Greg Zark, drums. “Hear That Rumblin'” is written and sung by  Edwards once again with the rhythm section of Meyer, bass; and Zark, drums. “Cool Calm Collected” was written by Bernard Jollvette and sung by King Karl as Rusty Zinn plays guitar, Paul Thomas, bass; and  Richard Innes, drums.

“My Fault” written by Walter McGhee, is a second song sung by drummer  Sam Lay with Patrick Rynn on bass. “Ramblin’ On My Mind” written by  Robert Johnson, is a second song sung by guitarist Robert Lockwood Jr. with Henry Gray on piano; Moreno on bass; and Chism on drums. “Tired Of Being Alone” is written and sung by Jimmy Dotson, with Meyer, bass;  and Zark, drums. The closer is “West Texas Blues” written by Alger Alexander and sung by guitarist Lowell Fulson.

Throughout the recording Bob Corritore’s harmonica playing is spectacular. Corritore has continuously given us great music from his “From The Vaults” series. This highly recommended album is a treasure trove of great music.

Richard Ludmerer

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